Tribune Misses the Mark Again and Again

Thursday’s newspapers revealed exactly the type of "non-reporting" we have lamented over from the Tribune.
In the Courier-Journal, writer Ben Hershberger reported on a couple of very important issues that were completely ignored by the Tribune.
Unfortunately, for some reason, I am unable to make a direct link to the stories work tonight, so...for now, use the following link to the Courier, then enter keywords "scribner snag" and then "Garner spar" to read the articles mentioned here.
Courier-Journal
Only after talking to few folks did it become clear that the information I was discussing with them, never made it into the Tribune pages.
Namely, the Sewer Board meeting held on Tuesday that included discussions on the dilemma the City is facing with Georgetown: "Board Seeks Explanation for Partial Sewer Payment".
You remember. The folks James decided to “drop” off the system to get 150,000 credits pre-released from the EPA. The rate-payers that we contend the rate increase is, at least partly, designed to compensate for.
Anyway, a settlement of money has been owed from Georgetown for quite some time: A settlement that has been renegotiated by “double-duty” Sewer Board/County Developer attorney Greg Fifer.
Originally, the amount owed was $1.9 million. However, in November the renegotiation brought that figure all the way down to $800K, which is a $1.1 million discount. Now, Georgetown is only prepared to pay $300K and doesn’t want to pay the remaining $500K until October.
According to Ben’s article, “Todd Soloman and other sewer board members said they were concerned about the delay because the money is needed to pay for the installation of a new line to the Robt. E. Lee pumping station." A project that is REQUIRED by the EPA for the release of sewer credits, which is scheduled to be completed by April of next year according to the consent decree.
Now, you would think, after all we’ve been reading about this Sewer rate increase, that the happening of the sewer board meetings might be worth reporting on. However, there was not one word printed in the Tribune about this situation with Georgetown, or other things that happened at that extraordinarily long meeting. NOT ONE WORD!
The most glaring exemption from the Tribune and their crack team of investigative reporters (NOT), is the headline spread across the front of the Indiana section on the same day; "Scribner Place Hits Money Snag"
In this lengthy and informative article, Courier-Journal writer Ben Herberger reports that the YMCA is having trouble securing their $7 million line of credit with the bank. Why? Because, the agreement between the City and the “Y” is not sufficient enough to provide the proper collateral for the loan.
Thus the agreement between the City and the YMCA must be re-written.
Gee, what a great opportunity this would be to get this thing done right.
Did you read about this anywhere in the TRIBUNE? Do you wonder why?
Isn't this type of information about Scribner Place development a major interest to the people of New Albany? They sure manage to write stories that glorify the project. It appears anything negative about the project will simply not be covered.
Could it be that the Tribune is part and parcel of the “spin” machine that whirls around James Garner that sucks up and hides any hints of disappointing information?
Consider too, the story printed on Wednesday, June 21st, about the angry phone calls that spewed from the Mayor to Donnie Blevins after the past Council session. The Courier-Journal reporter covered this story very well, speaking to everyone involved, including the Mayor, and presenting all the evidence without even a hint of judgment or personal bias.
"Garner,Councilman Spar Over City Audit"
No name calling of any Council Members. No disparaging remarks about the intellect or reasoning behind CM Blevin’s action to vote for the audit investigation. Just plain old-fashioned brass tacks reporting that explains all views of the incident, the way it’s supposed to be, leaving the conclusion drawing up to the reader.
Was this story written up in the Tribune? It sure got around town pretty quick, as folks were talking about it before the night was done. Everyone heard about it, but the Tribune was silent.
Even in their report about the night’s Council session, there was no mention of the infamous calls despite the fact they spoke with Garner AFTER the meeting.
Personally, I find the omission of these happening in the local press to be an unforgivable action. It makes it very apparent that the local paper is in the Mayor’s hip pocket and you, readers, will ONLY read a selective view of your community. Nothing negative, nothing of problems with financing the “Y”, and certainly no mention of the Georgetown sewer payment being delayed.
Is that sort of coverage sufficient for you?