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.