Election season in full swing
You can always tell when it’s election season in a newsroom.
Reporters phones ring off the hook with story tips and rumors
turned to supposed facts. The letters to the editors increase in
frequency so much we kind of feel like Santa does on Christmas Eve.
There are stories of stolen signs, stolen endorsements and, now,
even stolen internet access. We’ll even get some outlandish
allegations that accuse some of criminal behavior from time to time.
Friends turn on friends and enemies unite, all in the name of
either getting themselves or their friends elected to office.
And yes, we are right in the thick of it.
If someone can get a reporter’s or editor’s ear long enough, they
know they have a good chance of getting some ink.
But I’d like to assure the readers here that we don’t just take
any rumor and run with it. We always verify a tip -- weigh it out and
test its newsworthiness. Some of you don’t agree with our decisions
sometimes, but I hope at least you know that we do give serious
thought and discussion to stories.
Another hallmark of the election season are the candidate debates
and forums.
These are great places for voters to get a good glimpse at who is
running for office, to learn where they stand on the big issues of
the day and what kind of temperament they have.
For example, if the candidate isn’t someone you would invite over
for a family barbecue, why would you vote for them, right? In that
case, neither Gov. Gray Davis or Bill Simon would be bringing over
any potluck to my place anytime soon.
OK, back to the forums.
Two years ago, I had the pleasure of teaming up with local cable
TV news legend Valerie Mitchell to be part of a candidate forum at
Costa Mesa City Hall.
This year, I get to repeat the performance (bad as the first one
probably was) with help again from Mitchell and Daily Pilot columnist
Peter Buffa.
It’s hard to go wrong with Buffa being there.
I’ve seen him as an emcee on several occasions and every time I
do, I get a new batch of jokes to tell my brother-in-law.
The election, of course, is no laughing matter with plenty of big
issues to tackle and talk about.
And with that, I could use a little help from the readers.
I need to come up with three good questions to ask the candidates.
I think I can probably manage that, but if any of you have questions
you’d really like to ask and haven’t heard asked at other candidate
forums, just drop me a line either at my e-mail address or phone
number below.
As for the forum, it will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the
City Council Chambers and will be broadcast live on AT&T; Broadband
Channel 3. Even if you don’t send your questions to me, audience
members will have the opportunity at the last 15 to 20 minutes of the
debate to submit questions that will be read by Buffa.
Sponsored by AT&T;, this newspaper, the Costa Mesa Chamber of
Commerce and the city of Costa Mesa, the forum is expected to last an
hour. Hope to see you at City Hall.
* * *
Finally, and I know she’s already on her way to work at the
Seattle Times, I’d like to say how much this newsroom is going to
miss our now former features writer Young Chang.
She has been a great contributor to the Daily Pilot and I will
always appreciate her talents along with her sincerity and
thoughtfulness.
Those of you who have met her along the way, know what I mean.
Good luck Young and see you in the funny papers.
* TONY DODERO is the editor. He can be reached via e-mail at
949-574-4258 or at tony.dodero@latimes.com.
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