grassroots editor

2018 Golden Quill & Golden Dozen Awards

Editorial skills and courage exemplified by winners of the ISWNE contest and The 43rd Annual Eugene Cervi Award volume 59, no. 2 • summer 2018

grassroots editor • summer 2018 2018 Golden Quill contest

Editor: Dr. Chad Stebbins and Eugene Cervi Award Graphic Designer: Carl Fowler Grassroots Editor his year’s Golden Quill recipient had a lengthy career as a daily city editor and editorial page editor (USPS 227-040, ISSN 0017-3541) before moving to a weekly, The North Scott Press , in Eldridge, Iowa, in 2016. Mark Ridolfi has exten - is published quarterly for $50 per year by Tsive experience with database reporting, leading investigative teams, managing newsrooms, and build - the International Society of Weekly News - ing websites, but believes writing is at the heart of it all. paper Editors, Institute of International Studies, Missouri Southern State Univer - “What a thrill to be recognized for writing by a group of excellent writers,” he said. “We report on tough sity, 3950 East Newman Road, Joplin, stuff. It takes work to make town councils and school boards accessible to our readers. That work pays off MO 64801-1595. Periodicals postage paid when our communities feel connected to governance. It also pays off when I’m surprised with a trip to at Joplin, Mo., and at additional mailing Portland for this terrific honor.” offices. Ridolfi, 59, received a B.A. in journalism from Northern Illinois University in 1980 and an M.A. in jour - POSTMASTER: Send address changes nalism from Indiana University in Indianapolis in 1995, where he did database analysis work under Pulitzer to Grassroots Editor , Institute of Interna - Prize winner Andrew Schneider. tional Studies, Missouri Southern State ISWNE received 106 Golden Quill entries from 60 individuals this year. The 12 best are gathered together University, 3950 E. Newman Road, as the Golden Dozen. The summer issue of Grassroots Editor traditionally contains these editorials along Joplin, MO 64801-1595. with comments from the judge. It is an opportunity to see the quality of commentary in the weekly press. Volume 58, Issue 2, Summer 2017 Ross Connelly, the longtime editor and publisher of The Hardwick Gazette in Vermont, is the recipient of the 2018 Eugene Cervi Award. Connelly is a New England journalistic icon: He was the founding chair of the Vermont Coalition for Open Government and a champion of diversity. It is fitting that one of the letters of nomination for Connelly came from Jack Authelet, the 1998 Cervi re - cipient. And Gene Cervi himself would have endorsed Connelly’s selection, for Ross is often regarded as the “journalism conscience” of ISWNE.

President Steve Ranson Fallon, Nevada The Golden Dozen Vice President: Marcia Martinek , Herald Democrat The judge s comments, and About the judge Leadville, Colorado By Jackie Risley ...... Page 3 Executive Director: Golden Quill Winner: How do you petition a grievance without access to records? Dr. Chad Stebbins, Director, Institute of By Mark Ridolfi, Assistant Editor, The North Scott Press , April 19, 2017 ...... Page 4 International Studies, Missouri Southern An explanation from the winner State University, 3950 E. Newman Road, By Mark Ridolfi, Assistant Editor, The North Scott Press ...... Page 5 Joplin, MO 64801-1595 We stand as one with transgender students Phone: (417) 625-9736 By Melissa Hale-Spencer, Editor, The Altamont Enterprise , March 2, 2017 ...... Page 6 Fax: (417) 659-4445 Opponents flunk Medicaid math E-Mail: [email protected] By Brian J. Hunhoff, Contributing editor, Yankton County Observer , December 8, 2017 ...... Page 7 Why is Barrow anti-yoga? Board of Directors: By Mike Buffington, Co-publisher and editor, The Jackson Herald , October 11, 2017 ...... Page 8 Dr. Deborah Givens Syringe exchange is imperative to local public health Eastern Kentucky University By Abigail Whitehouse, Editor, The Interior Journal , February 9, 2017 ...... Page 9 Richmond, Kentucky Wisconsin needs to let a bad law die By Brian Wilson, News editor, The Star News , May 25, 2017 ...... Page 10 Jan Haupt Lodi, Wisconsin ‘Mohawk Girls’ permit issue exposes gap By Steve Bonspiel, Editor and publisher, The Eastern Door , June 9, 2017 ...... Page 11 Mike Buffington Yes to a clear conscience The Jackson Herald By Donald Dodd, Publisher, The Salem News , March 21, 2017 ...... Page 12 Jefferson, Georgia Hospital merits sales tax vote Andy Schotz By Sarah Kessinger, Editor and publisher, The Marysville Advocate , June 23, 2017 ...... Page 13 The Herald-Mail Put an end to client-shaming Hagerstown, Maryland By Paul Fletcher, Editor-in-chief, Virginia Lawyers Weekly , December 18, 2017 ...... Page 14 Bob Yeates The Blues Factory referendums Bairnsdale Advertiser By William F. Schanen III, Publisher, Ozaukee Press , April 13, 2017 ...... Page 15 Australia Terrorism is not colour coded Immediate Past President: By Brenda P. Schimke, Columnist, East Central Alberta Review , October 12, 2017 ...... Page 16 Dr. David Gordon Professor Emeritus University ofWisconsin – Eau Claire The Gene Cervi Award Ross Connelly and letters of nomination ...... Page 19

1 grassroots editor • summer 2018

GOLDEN QUILL WINNERS (1961-2018)

1961 Hal DeCell 1990 Bill Lueders Deer Creek Pilot, Rolling Fork, Mississippi Isthmus, Madison, Wisconsin 1962 Don Pease 1991 Stuart Taylor Jr. Oberlin (Ohio) News Tribune Legal Times, Washington, D.C. 1963 Hazel Brannon Smith 1992 Hope Aldrich Lexington (Mississippi) Advertiser The Santa Fe (New Mexico) Reporter 19 64 Mrs. R.M.B. Hicks 1993 Michael D. Myers Dallas (Pennsylvania) Post Granite City (Illinois) Press-Record 1965 Robert E. Fisher 1994 Jim MacNeill Crossett (Arkansas) News Observer The Eastern Graphic, Montague, Prince Edward Island 1966 Owen J. McNamara 1995 Brian J. Hunhoff Brookline (Massachusetts) Chronicle-Citizen The Missouri Valley Observer, Yankton, South Dakota 1967 Alvin J. Remmenga 1996 Patricia Calhoun Cloverdale (California) Reveille Denver Westword, Denver, Colorado 1968 Henry H. Null IV 1997 Tim Giago The Abington Journal, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania Indian Country Today, Rapid City, South Dakota 1969 Dan Hicks Jr. 1998 Gary Sosniecki Monroe County Democrat, Madisonville, Tennessee Webster County Citizen, Seymour, Missouri 1970 Richard Taylor 1999 Jeff McMahon Kennett News & Advertiser, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania New Times, San Luis Obispo, California 1971 Edward DeCourcy 2000 Jeff McMahon Newport (New Hampshire) Argus Champion New Times, San Luis Obispo, California 1972 C. Peter Jorgenson 2001 William F. Schanen III The Advocate, Arlington, Massachusetts Ozaukee Press, Port Washington, Wisconsin 1973 Robert Estabrook 2002 Paul MacNeill Lakeville (Connecticut) Journal The Eastern Graphic, Montague, Prince Edward Island 1974 Phil McLaughlin 2003 Jeremy Waltner The Miami Republican, Paola, Kansas Freeman Courier, Freeman, South Dakota 1975 Betsy Cox 2004 Charles Gay The Madison County Newsweek, Richmond, Kentucky Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington 1976 Peter Bodley 2005 Bill Lueders Coon Rapids Herald, Anoka, Minnesota Isthmus, Madison, Wisconsin 1977 Rodney A. Smith 2006 Gary Sosniecki The Vandalia Leader, Vandalia, Missouri Gretna (Virginia) Gazette 2007 Lori Evans 1978 Robert Estabrook Homer News, Homer, Alaska Lakeville (Connecticut) Journal 2008 Melissa Hale-Spencer 1979 R. W. van de Velde The Altamont Enterprise, Altamont, New York The Valley Voice, Middlebury, Vermont 2009 David Martin 1980 Garrett Ray The Pitch, Kansas City, Missouri Independent Newspapers, Littleton, Colorado 2010 Mo Mehlsak 1981 Janelou Buck The Forecaster, Falmouth, Maine Sebring (Florida) News 2011 Peter Weinschenk 1982 Albert Scardino The Record-Review, Abbotsford, Wisconsin The Georgia Gazette, Savannah, Georgia 2012 Vernon Oickle 1983 Francis C. Zanger The Lunenburg County Progress Bulletin, Bellows Falls (Vermont) News-Review Bridgewater, Nova Scotia 1984 John McCall 2013 Peter Weinschenk The SandPaper, Ocean City, New Jersey The Record-Review, Abbotsford, Wisconsin 1985 William F. Schanen III 2014 Brian J. Hunhoff Ozaukee Press, Port Washington, Wisconsin Yankton County Observer, Yankton, South Dakota 1986 Henry G. Gay 2015 Roger Harnack Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, Omak, Washigton 1987 Ellen L. Albanese 2016 Mike Buffington The Country Gazette, Franklin, Massachusetts The Jackson Herald, Jefferson, Georgia 1988 Michael G. Lacey 2017 Peter Weinschenk The New Times, Phoenix, Arizizona The Record-Review, Abbotsford, Wisconsin 1989 Tim Redmond 2018 Mark Ridolfi Bay Guardian, San Francisco, California The North Scott Press, Eldridge, Iowa

2 grassroots editor • summer 2018 The judge’s comments By Jackie Risley public, these editors often receive anger and criticism. And unlike internet comments that can be ignored, when you’re a community efore I lived in one of the most densely populated cities in the news editor, this feedback is provided at the local grocery store, U.S., I grew up reading a weekly paper in a rural town that while you wait for your coffee, or at your child’s sporting event. Bstill has fewer than 1,500 residents. As I read this year’s Most importantly, these weekly papers and their editors are Golden Quill submissions, what struck me was that, despite what doing more than just bringing attention to important issues. Rather partisan politics would have us believe, the things that are impor - than increasing divisions, they inspire their communities by re - tant to people in towns like the one I grew up in aren’t much dif - minding them that, in a democracy, citizens aren’t powerless and ferent from those of my urban neighbors. In a time when it feels can accomplish great things when they work together to protect like so much of the media exploits differences and leaves people the people and ideals they care about. feeling powerless, these weekly newspapers and their editors are In fact, many of the Golden Quill submissions are a celebration uniting, empowering, and mobilizing their communities. of their communities and community life. They stand as champi - This year’s submissions gave eloquent voice to the local impact ons for schools and local businesses and the individuals who make of national problems like substance abuse, law enforcement a lasting impact on others. As I read through the tear sheets that abuses, women’s health issues, government overreach, and intol - covered pecan festivals, public celebrations for beloved coaches erance. They rally leaders and the community to take action and who taught generations of children about fair play, and fundrais - ownership in providing good schools for their children, safe neigh - ing events to help neighbors in need, I found myself nostalgic for borhoods, and fair treatment under the law. some of the aspects of community life that can’t be replicated in a As the Golden Quill submissions underscore, the difference is large city. that smaller municipalities are dealing with these global issues at At the same time, it’s clear that community newspapers and the a local level with far fewer resources and the danger of losing even areas they serve are struggling with uncertainty about the future. more. The authors put a human face on the direct local impact of How will community reporting adapt to increasing use of digital measures such as cuts in federal healthcare funding and arts edu - and social media by readers, advertisers, and government? How cation on students in small school districts. By helping readers rec - can communities protect the things that make small-town and rural ognize the underlying issues and provide a call to action, life so rewarding while ensuring enough development to maintain community newspapers are fighting the apathy and sense of help - a standard of living and avoiding becoming exclusionary? lessness that threaten the common ideals we value. It will take courage and creativity to preserve their core ideals Simultaneously, these editorials perfectly reflected the unique as technology, the economy, and social change force them to adapt role of community newspapers in informing the public about local and innovate. I have empathy for these publications and their com - decisions that impact them. They ensure that school board meet - munities as they face the challenges that lie ahead. As they face the ings and municipal meetings, which are poorly attended and over - potential need to reinvent themselves, the best I can offer is the looked by television news and internet outlets, are given public advice my grandfather gave me: Don’t forget where you come accountability. Whether they want it or not. from. As a former community journalist, I know that, despite its im - portance, this is often one of the most thankless assignments. In ex - change for tedious hours fulfilling their obligation to inform the About the judge

ackie Risley is currently using the writing skills she developed In addition to various marketing po - as a community journalist as the senior director of marketing sitions, Jackie was an editor at Busi - Jat a Silicon Valley software company. For several years, she ness Solutions Magazine and taught was on the staff of The Albion (Pennsylvania) News , where she writing at the high school and college covered municipal meetings, community events, and other local levels. Jackie holds an M.A. in English happenings. That experience taught her to extract stories from in - from Gannon University and recently terviews with diverse people, write for multiple audiences and completed her M.B.A. at San Jose State University with a concen - tough copy editors, and strive for clarity with brevity. All of which tration in global leadership. Her interests include reading, travel - are useful skills in marketing. ing, and cooking.

3 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Golden Quill Winner How do you petition a grievance without access to records?

hose of us blessed with a career made possi - Most property records, including ownership, sale ble by the First Amendment are duty bound price, mortgage commitments and liens, are public. to honor the Constitution’s other 26. Our All government salaries are public. So are any gov - TConstitution is an evolving document that has ernment payments, though you often have to dig to Mark Ridolfi been oh-so-slowly amended to reflect our nation’s track down public checks cut for lawsuit settlements. changing attitudes to race, gender, voting and presi - Government property and wage benefit negotia - Assistant Editor, dential term limits. That evolution created the ballot - tions may remain private, though any final settlement The North Scott Press ing system that allows popular vote losers to be must be public, and ultimately published so inter - presidential winners. ested taxpayers can find out. 214 N. 2nd St. It also banned and restored alcohol sales within 16 Almost every regulated occupation is subject to Eldridge, Iowa years, one of the quickest attitudinal evolutions in the public release of disciplinary proceedings, although 52745 document. the restrictions get tighter higher up the pay scale. Iowa legislators this year flexed two of their consti - You can read public complaints against your licensed April 19, 2017 tutionally amended rights. They expanded Second hairdresser. Specific allegations against lawyers re - Amendment personal gun freedoms by invoking the main secret until affirmed by a Supreme Court attor - 10th’s affirmation of state’s rights. As a result Iowans ney disciplinary board. permitted to carry firearms can now bring them into Exercising the regulated right to bear and carry the statehouse. firearms, in my view, seems neither an embarrass - They can also challenge local governments that at - ment to be covered up, nor a benefit to be automati - tempt to ban firearms in courthouses and other pub - cally pushed into print or online. It simply creates a lic buildings. publicly managed record. Iowa’s new gun law affirms a new right for gun And publicly managed records, in my view, should owners to “stand their ground,” a phrase that au - be public. thorizes firing upon those threatening property, not Those wanting secrecy say public gun records can just life. It also allows parents to arm children under be a road map for thieves. But the state’s new stand- 14. your-ground law pretty much assures a grim end to Those changes are a departure from Iowa tradi - crooks who use that map. tion, but long practiced in other states without fan - fare or catastrophe. Second Amendment I flinch at the part of the new state gun law that My First Amendment career generates plenty of dictates what local governments can do. Every police interest in Second Amendment records. chief and sheriff I’ve spoken with does not want guns I’ve visited the Scott County Sheriff’s office and in - carried into courthouses or schools. But this Iowa spected the hand-written permit and carry permits. law invites gun proponents to file suits challenging In the 1980s and ‘90s, the records I researched local preferences publicly approved by locally elected sometimes included handwritten notations to expe - city, county and school board leaders. dite, or forbid a permit. That occurred under an That seems an overreach. Iowa law, in which each of Iowa’s 99 county sheriffs could have his own standard for carry permits. Sher - New secrecy iffs Forrest Ashcraft and Mike Bladel provided in - But the provision that really gets me is the new re - stant access to those public records. quirement that Iowa gun carry permits are now se - When legislators established a statewide standard cret. carry permit standard in 2010, I returned to take an - The First Amendment has made me a student of other look. Sheriff Dennis Conard personally public records for my entire career. My good-govern - showed me the records. ment radar starts beeping whenever public things be - In 2016, I requested Scott County’s carry permit come private. Continued on page 17

4 grassroots editor • summer 2018

FROM THE JUDGE Defense of First Amendment An explanation from the winner rights is a common editorial theme, but what sets this submission apart is that it il - By Mark Ridolfi state regulators’ disciplinary records, another ex - lustrates the need for access to information by linking it ample of government’s wildly inconsistent stan - directly to critical issues ’mon along. That’s the invitation I try to ex - dards for disclosure. around Second Amendment tend in columns. Readers seem to love “Almost every regulated occupation is subject to rights. some of the same things about journalism public release of disciplinary proceedings, although Cthat I do: Tracking down data and getting to the restrictions get tighter higher up the pay scale. An Iowa law that allows for the bottom of something. You can read public complaints against your li - broad expansion of Second While many flip out about the “media” or the censed hairdresser. Specific allegations Amendment personal gun freedoms also limits access to “press,” our readers seem to still value knowing against lawyers remain secret until affirmed by a public records. Without someone who will rummage through Supreme Court attorney disciplinary board.” getting sidetracked with an courthouse records, read an entire council resolu - My call for reader advice got no bites. No one evaluation of the gun tion or legislative bill, and – especially in our grow - followed up with a scathing, or supportive letter. legislation, Mark shares how ing community – make sure newly platted But everywhere I went, readers bent my ear on the access to these records has subdivisions don’t dump storm water in others’ subject. Some acknowledged the value of trans - been used in his reporting re - backyards. parency, even as they flinched about having lated to gun ownership and allows for public oversight of So I try to share that part of the job and take their own carry permits disclosed. whether the law is being im - readers to places they don’t usually go. I hope more of my commentary starts discus - plemented fairly. The column recognized by ISWNE addressed sions, not ends them. access to public records, something very few read - I hope it shows our newspaper cognizant not In addition to standing up for ers have personally experienced. Many still believe only of press rights prescribed by the First Amend - the right of the public to ac - public records are only for snooping reporters, ment, but also of press responsibilities, which most cess government records, this even though the vast majority of FOI requests readers know little about. editorial proposes a reason - able recommendation for an come from private businesses seeking mailing lists The journalists of ISWNE certainly know them. accessible database. or vendor information. Our businesses may have been enabled by the First This column addressed gun ownership and carry Amendment, but they are sustained by our commu - permit records, something I assumed many readers nity conscientiousness and connectedness. At our wouldn’t want nosy newsies near. Republicans in weekly papers, readers know the journalists opin - the state legislature wanted to – and ultimately did ing on openness are the same ones publicizing – make those records secret. their workplace expansions, church bake sales, and I figured our readers would dismiss another kids’ achievements. journalist’s plea for open records. We need to remind them over and over that one But they might pay attention to their popularly business in town has their backs. elected sheriffs. By including details about our reporting activi - “I’ve visited the Scott County Sheriff’s office ties, we affirm that local news isn’t a collection of and inspected the hand-written permit and carry thoughts, feelings, philosophies and impressions. permits. … Sheriffs Forrest Ashcraft and Mike It’s about legwork. It’s about triple checking. It’s Bladel provided instant access to those public about afternoons in a courthouse basement plug - records. …Sheriff Dennis Conard personally ging through boxes of index cards that reveal who showed me the records.” gets guns and who doesn’t. Rather than peg my argument on laws and court Our news businesses fail when we aim to appeal rulings unknown to readers, I anchored it to two only to customers who agree with us. decades of popular sheriffs, Democrat and Repub - We’re unstoppable when supported by readers lican, whom most of our readers had supported. who respect us. None of those lawmen showed any hesitation to disclose records. Mark Ridolfi can be contacted at The column also shared experiences researching [email protected].

5 grassroots editor • summer 2018 We stand as one with transgender students

n Feb 16, Clifford Nooney was honored State Education Department released guidelines with a Friends of Education award, pre - for districts across the state to follow on obliga - sented by the Capital Area School Devel - tions to protect students’ privacy; the use of stu - Melissa Hale- Oopment Association. Nooney manages dent names and pronouns; access to bathrooms the physical plant for the Guilderland schools. and locker rooms; and when and how to involve Spencer He wasn’t honored, though, for overseeing 52 family members in talking about a student’s gen - staff members, caring for 33 acres and over a der identity. Editor, million square feet of building space. In August 2016, we looked at the report on The Altamont Enterprise No, he was honored for an act of human com - how schools across the state were doing in fol - passion. In December, he had hung the sign for lowing the Dignity for All Students Act – there 120 Maple Avenue the school district’s first all-gender bathroom. were some problems in schools accurately self-re - Altamont, New York “Students celebrated and even wept with joy at porting instances of harassment, bullying, and 12009 the sight of this beacon of acceptance, respect, discrimination. and belonging,” wrote the district in announcing Although we prodded the districts we cover to March 2, 2017 the award. not just follow the letter of the law but to follow A bathroom as a beacon? its spirit, understanding and accepting those who Yes, indeed. In our times, it has become a might be different than ourselves, we were FROM THE JUDGE symbol of accepting people for who they are, for pleased and proud, too, to report their progress. who they choose to be. Berne-Knox-Westerlo adopted a new policy This submission proves that The Enterprise covered the unfolding story at and identified a “unisex” bathroom – “It allows powerful editorials don’t have to be critical, maintaining a Guilderland – starting when two courageous everybody, no matter how they identify, to make positive tone even in the face of transgender students, Julia Crooks and Ryka the choice for themselves,” said Superintendent what was likely a controversial Sweeny, first addressed the school board in Janu - Timothy Mundell. He also said, “It’s important issue. ary 2016. Both of them are members of the to listen to kids and work with them as much as school’s Alliance, a club that offers them a place we can, teaching tolerance for all perspectives Melissa praises the school they don’t feel judged and aren’t called names. and accommodating the people we serve – our district’s empathetic support for Nooney went to Alliance meetings to understand students and their families.” transgender students even after federal protections were re - the students’ concerns and goals. Voorheesville, too, had adopted new policy, la - scinded. From the individual The stories we told of the transgender students beled single-room bathrooms with symbols for community heroes to the ran along with the progress the state of New male and female, and put privacy screens in school policies, this editorial York was making. The day after Julia and Ryka changing areas. “You don’t have to be transgen - shows how a community can spoke to the school board in Guilderland, der to want privacy,” said Superintendent Brian fulfill their duty to protect statewide regulations were coincidentally an - Hunt. vulnerable students. nounced by the governor to protect transgender Leaders in the schools we cover are taking New Yorkers. The regulations, effective on Jan. good care of our students. Melissa Hale-Spencer also won the Golden Quill award in 2008 20, 2016, affirm that transgender people are pro - So why were we so disheartened when, on and Golden Dozen awards in tected under New York’s Human Rights Law. Feb. 22, President Donald Trump rescinded pro - 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009, That law – the first of its kind in the nation, en - tections for transgender students that, among 2012, 2016, and 2017. acted in 1945 – affords every citizen “an equal other things, had let them use bathrooms corre - opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life.” sponding to their gender identity? We should not In June, we profiled Riley Gohlke-Schermer, a have been surprised that Trump made good on Guilderland transgender student who uses the yet another of his campaign promises to social pronoun “they” and describes themselves as conservatives. “gender fluid.” Riley, who said their lesbian par - We were surprised, and pleased, that his newly ents had always accepted and supported them, appointed secretary of education, Betsy DeVos, told us of the terrible time Riley had in middle raised some objections before agreeing to Attor - school. “People in science class yelled, ‘You’re ney General Jeff Sessions’s move to roll back the gay.’ They threw pens at me. They threw garbage previous administration’s directives before two in my locker. They threw my stuff on the floor. pending court cases could uphold the protec - They wrote about me on the bathroom wall … tions. DeVos issued a strong call for the moral Nobody speaks up. Everybody’s a bystander.” obligation for every school in America to protect The year before, in July 2015, the New York Continued on page 18

6 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Opponents flunk Medicaid math T’S MULTIPLE CHOICE TIME and this is friends and neighbors go without. an easy one. Lawmakers who oppose Medi - States expanding Medicaid have reduced caid expansion in South Dakota are: spending on the uninsured, corrections, and I behavioral health. S.D. expansion would also Brian J. Hunhoff 1.) Bad at math. save millions in county spending for indigent 2.) Putting partisan politics ahead of what’s care. It would free tax dollars we could redi - Contributing editor, best for our state. rect at county roads, bridges, and other infra - Yankton County Observer 3.) Ignoring health needs of 50,000 unin - structure needs. sured South Dakotans. This could have happened in 2013. By kick - 4.) All of the above. ing the can down the road, our elected leaders 308 Douglas Ave. There are no wrong answers in this quiz, but have bypassed a $1 billion infusion into our Yankton, South Dakota the best answer is No. 4. A fourth-grader can state’s economy. More importantly, we’ve lost 57078 look at the arithmetic and see Medicaid expan - 900 South Dakota lives (and counting) from sion is win-win for South Dakota. Along with not expanding Medicaid back in 2013. December 8, 2017 saving hundreds of lives, it would be a big shot Most South Dakota legislators claim to be in the arm for our state’s economy. Consider pro-life. Why can’t they apply that philosophy the following three numbers (underlined in to single parents and our working poor? FROM THE JUDGE bold type). It was supposed to be a nail-biter, but Maine This well-researched support 181: The number of South Dakota lives that voters recently approved Medicaid expansion for Medicaid expansion in would be saved each year by Medicaid expan - by a 60-40 margin. Logic and facts won the South Dakota concludes with a sion, according to a New England Journal of day over partisan politics. clear call to action, including Medicine study. Unscientific polls hint the same result would the contact information for all 50,000: The number of uninsured South happen here if/when the issue makes a of the state representatives who Dakotans who would benefit (50K is a lot of statewide ballot. Most South Dakotans are Re - are voting on the measure. people in a rural state with 865,454 popula - publicans, but — unlike politicians — they know tion). and take a good deal when offered. It’s called By debunking many of the $2 billion: The amount of federal dollars common sense. (Voltaire called it “homespun myths about Medicaid that would come into S.D. over the next five genius.”) recipients, pointing out how years to provide medical coverage for those South Dakota’s 2018 legislative session pres - failing to support the measure 50,000 uninsured South Dakotans. Thousands ents an opportunity for lawmakers to let voters contradicts other legislative of new jobs in the medical field would be cre - decide. The Legislature can present an consti - actions, and ultimately costs ated. Ripple effects would multiply the eco - tutional amendment on Medicaid expansion, the state more through indigent nomic impact of that $2 billion many times which would put the question on the Novem - care, Brian provides over. ber 2018 ballot. compelling motivation for readers to contact their Critics say South Dakotans who would bene - Please contact your legislators. Tell them you legislators. fit are able-bodied people who won’t work. In support Medicaid expansion and want to vote fact, 73 percent are “the working poor” em - on it. The most effective messages are short Brian J. Hunhoff also won the ployed in seasonal construction, farm labor, and to the point, such as: Golden Quill Award in 1995 food service, and retail in one of the lowest- and 2014, and Golden Dozen wage states in the nation. Think of a single Dear South Dakota Lawmaker: We know awards in 2015, 2016, and mother of three who cannot work enough you’re smarter than a fourth-grader, so please 2017. hours to afford insurance. help us expand Medicaid for our greater good. Opponents also say we can’t trust the federal Allow us to vote on it. Do your part to create government and the feds need to curb spend - thousands of new healthcare jobs in this state. ing. Two points in response: Make life better for our working poor. Help 1.) They rarely raise such concerns when it thousands of sick South Dakotans get well. comes to accepting federal highway funding, If none of that matters to you, do the math. airport funding, crop insurance, etc. This sweet deal is a no-brainer. 2.) South Dakotans’ federal income tax dol - lars are going to Washington, D.C., anyway, so Sincerely, your boss doesn’t it make sense to get a slice of the pie? Our state is funding heath care for poor people Brian J. Hunhoff can be contacted at in other states, while our low income relatives, [email protected]. 7 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Why is Barrow anti-yoga? merica is splintering into an ugly brand Countians, that was too foreign and exotic to of tribalism. At one time, we were the comprehend. great “melting pot” of ethnic back - The odd thing is, Barrow County does have Agrounds, religions and races. local yoga classes. The YMCA is offering “candle No more. Instead, we’ve begun to fracture along light yoga” and “flow yoga” this month. And a the fault lines of culture, race and religion. private company in Winder, owned by a Barrow Xenophobia – the irrational fear of people native, offers yoga classes of various kinds. Mike Buffington from other nations or cultures – has become epi - So what’s wrong with that proposed yoga re - demic, especially in rural areas where “out - treat out in the countryside? What kind of harm Co-publisher and editor, siders” have long been suspect. could a bunch of people meditating and stretch - The Jackson Herald That much was evident in Barrow County re - ing on thin mats possibly do to neighbors or the cently when the county’s planning board turned county? 33 Lee Street down a request for a special use permit for a Barrow County isn’t the only place in the na - Jefferson, Georgia rural 30-acre yoga retreat. tion where this kind of silly prejudice exists. The board shot down the request not because The irrational fear of “others” got a lot of stoking 30549 of any legal, non-conforming use – in fact, the during the 2016 election. Muslims and Mexicans October 11, 2017 county’s planning staff, the professionals, said it were the target of a lot of political hate speech did conform to the county’s land use. and ugly social media memes (a lot of it from But the board denied the request as it cowered Russia we now know) during the election. That FROM THE JUDGE in fear before a room of citizens who opposed fear, unfortunately, has become part and parcel the yoga center. That crowd had been ramped up to the national character today. The anti-immi - With xenophobia in the na - by rumors and innuendo posted to a local social gration, anti-refugee voices from the far right cre - tional spotlight, this media page which alleged the yoga center might ated a lot of fear that traditional American values submission shows the local become some kind of terrorist training camp. were being undermined by insidious outsiders. impact of isolationism re - One guy even alleged during the hearing that While some of that was about illegal immi - sulting from irrational fear. From ugly memes on social Al-Qaeda had a training compound in nearby grants from Mexico, it took on a broader tone media to accusations that a Commerce, suggesting that the Barrow yoga cen - and became anti-immigrant in general. That has proposed yoga retreat is re - ter might be some kind of sinister conspiracy as played out in Washington with a proposal now to ally an ISIS training well (death by stretching?). sharply cut the number of refugees and legal im - ground, Mike calls on the Well there is not an Al-Qaeda or ISIS training migration allowed into the country. community to examine their compound in Commerce, although there is an Is - Even more hatred has been aimed at Muslims, distrust of “outsiders” and lamic center that has existed there peacefully for especially refugees from largely Muslim nations urges the council to many, many years. And the proposed yoga center like Syria. This hatred has become so ingrained reconsider the double in Barrow isn’t a terrorist training camp – what that even elected leaders like Rep. Jody Hice, standard applied to a terrorist goes to a county government for a re - who represents Barrow County, have called for permit that conforms in every other way to the zoning variance? Muslim Americans to be denied their First county’s land use policies. Let’s call what happened in Barrow County for Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of what it really is – ethnic prejudice fueled by an ir - religion. Mike Buffington also won rational fear. I suspect some of the anti-yoga sentiment at the Golden Quill Award in The names of the owners of the property who that Barrow County public hearing was rooted in 2016 and Golden Dozen requested the yoga center are Lalitha Gowda this anti-Muslim fever. But yoga’s roots aren’t awards in 1991, 1998, and Satyanarayana Karnati. If their names had Muslim, they’re Hindu. In the U.S., yoga has 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, been Smith, or Jones, or Maddox, would they taken on a largely secular tone apart from its 2014, and 2015. have faced such a backlash? If a “Joe Smith” had Hindu roots. People of all religions here practice requested a variance for a retreat center for yoga as meditation and exercise rather than for wounded veterans, would those upset Barrow cit - its historical religious role. That’s no different izens have been opposed to it? Would they have than a Jewish family deciding to have a secular spread stupid rumors about a terrorist camp? Christmas tree. If the First Baptist Church of Winder wanted Americans have traditionally prided them - to build a Christian retreat center on that same selves on being open and outward looking. We property, would the ugly comments about it have have prided ourselves on being accepting of peo - been said? ple with different backgrounds and ethnic histo - We all know the answer: Heck no. ries. The opposition came because two brown- No longer. A significant part of the American skinned people with funny-sounding names re - population has turned inward and isolationist. quested it. To a small group of Barrow Continued on page 18

8 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Syringe exchange is imperative to local public health

eyond politics and opinions, there is an more than $50 million to treat 800 of those in - ever-constant duty of local officials to fected in the state – a cost that the public helps maintain the public health and safety of pay. Perhaps if we can get these high costs Bthe community and the local health down, we can allocate more funding toward af - board, Stanford City Council and Lincoln fordable treatment options. Abigail Whitehouse County Fiscal Court have recently taken steps These addicts need our help, not our judg - to do just that by supporting the implementa - ment. It is too easy to sit at home and condemn Editor, tion of a syringe exchange. them for a disease that has taken complete con - The Interior Journal Last summer, the Center for Disease Control trol of their lives. Does that mean they are not ranked Lincoln County 97 out 220 counties responsible for their actions? No. But it does across the U.S. deemed vulnerable to the out - mean that in order to find their way out of the 301 W. Main Street break of diseases commonly caused by the ex - downward spiral, they are going to need some Stanford, Kentucky change and use of dirty needles. Since the help. 40484 report was released, the heroin epidemic and It is time for us to be neighbors again. With - rate of drug abuse has not waned – it has only out the community coming together, this prob - February 9, 2017 increased. lem will not go away. It is only logical to infer that a syringe ex - We know it is hard to overlook criminal ac - change that was recommended last summer is tivity caused by drug addiction and we by no FROM THE JUDGE just as necessary now, if not more, as the drug means endorse the idea of letting any criminal This empathetic response to epidemic continues to ravage through Ken - act off the hook. But history has shown that the health risks of addiction tucky communities including this one. putting an addict in jail rarely does more than skillfully balances logical and While many will say the exchange is simply get them clean for a short period of time before ethical arguments for the com - enabling drug use by giving addicts clean nee - they are released and return to the same munity to support the establish - dles, that opinion overlooks the true intention lifestyle as before – with no alternative treat - ment of a syringe exchange. By pointing out the risks and costs and purpose of the exchange – to prevent the ment or housing to run to in the immediate to non-addicts, Abigail combats spread of infectious disease through dirty nee - area. the tendency of those who dles. As for drug-traffickers, we have and always aren’t directly affected to view During the Stanford City Council meeting, will support the full enforcement of the law for addiction as someone else’s City Attorney Chris Reed described two in - perpetuating a problem that continues to spiral problem. stances in which he encountered dirty, bloody out of control and take the lives of local resi - needles – once in the parking lot of a court - dents. house and again in the parking lot of a restau - This newspaper is tired of printing the obitu - rant. aries of our youth and pretending that there is “There was a Ziploc bag full of needles that nothing this community can do – we all have a were full of blood,” Reed said. “Two days after part to play. that, I went to a restaurant in Danville and got We applaud our local government officials out of my car in flip-flops and almost stepped for seeing beyond the surface and realizing that on a needle that had blood in it.” a syringe exchange is a proactive attempt to not Those were experiences worth sharing be - only keep this community safe, but save taxpay - cause they point exactly to the purpose of the ers money by getting dirty needles off the exchange, which is to prevent others, especially streets, getting more people tested for infec - children, from encountering the same. Reed tious disease and putting addicts closer to treat - also pointed to the high cost of treatment for ment. infectious diseases like hepatitis C, which costs about $86,000 annually, and HIV, which costs Abigail Whitehouse can be contacted at about $380,000 per year. [email protected]. In 2014, Kentucky’s Medicaid program spent

9 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Wisconsin needs to let a bad law die isconsin needs to take away Attorney crack-baby concerns ended up being largely General Brad Schimel’s access to the blown out of proportion, yet the law remained state credit card. Schimel has an - on the books. Brian Wilson Wnounced yet another costly federal ap - Schimel repeats the tired party line that pun - peal. It must be nice to have unlimited ishing pregnant women who use or have in the News editor, taxpayer funds at your disposal to fight political past used a vague and undefined amount of The Star News battles in the courts. drugs or alcohol is somehow getting them This time Schimel has turned his attention to “treatment.” Schimel’s argument is nonsense. defending Wisconsin has flawed “Unborn The law has served as a deterrent to women in 3116 S. Wisconsin Ave. Child Protection Act.” The law was recently bad situations from getting the help they Medford, Wisconsin overturned in a decision by Federal Court needed because, as with Loertscher, they knew 54451 Judge James Peterson in his ruling on a lawsuit even their doctors could turn against them. In - filed by Tamara Loertscher, formerly of Med - stead of a safety net, the state of Wisconsin set May 25, 2017 ford, against Schimel, Wisconsin Secretary of a trap. Children and Families Eloise Anderson and Rather than wasting taxpayer resources to Taylor County. try to keep a bad law alive, it should be allowed FROM THE JUDGE Loertscher had been held in Taylor County to die. Wisconsin legislators should instead jail in 2014 because she refused to comply with craft a new law that actually provides treatment This editorial brings a court order to go to inpatient drug rehab and in place of punishment. Legislators need to attention to the public costs was held in contempt. She had initially gone to pass a law that recognizes and protects the in - of Wisconsin’s Unborn the county’s human services department con - herent human rights of pregnant women as Child Protection Act, which cerned that she was pregnant and was de - being at least equal to the unborn children they ironically puts unborn children whose mothers are pressed. They referred her to an inpatient carry in their wombs. substance abusers at greater behavioral health unit in Eau Claire where she Rather than bolstering a law that relegates risk. Tough penalties tested positive for using meth. According to pregnant women to some type of subhuman discourage women from court records, she turned to meth because it walking incubator status, Wisconsin’s legisla - seeking help and overlook was a more easily available alternative to the ture should stand up for the rights of women to their inherent human rights. expensive thyroid medication she needed, but have control of their own bodies. If the state didn’t have the insurance to cover. wants to help pregnant women get treatment Brian urges readers not only The Unborn Child Protection Act allowed for drug or alcohol addiction, the legislature to demonstrate greater the state to lock up pregnant women who the should do so and at the same time address the compassion for women in state felt could be a danger to their unborn high cost of healthcare that causes people to potentially dangerous situations, but also urges children. At the time it was passed, it was a self medicate in place of receiving needed med - them to oppose the attorney knee-jerk reaction to concerns that so-called ical care. general’s expensive ongoing crack babies would cost taxpayers millions of It is time for Schimel to stop throwing good legal battle at the public’s dollars in long term medical and mental health taxpayer money after bad just because he can’t expense. costs caused by their mothers’ drug use. The accept that Wisconsin’s law is wrong and de - law was heavily resisted by those in social serv - serves to be taken out with the trash. ices and medical fields when it was passed and Brian Wilson also won it has taken 19 years to get it overturned, Brian Wilson can be contacted at Golden Dozen awards in largely because the cases are handled in juve - [email protected]. 2008, 2009, 2013, and nile court outside of the public’s eye. The 2015.

10 grassroots editor • summer 2018 ‘Mohawk Girls’ permit issue exposes gap

he latest Mohawk Council of Kah - That’s going too far. nawake gaffe cost the community a good Imagine if you were in that situation and chunk of money, and it demonstrates the someone told you you couldn’t do this or that Tneed for proper procedure for things because they didn’t like you or what you were Steve Bonspiel that just don’t concern the council chiefs. doing. Complaints were received about “Mohawk Something has to be put in place so frivolous Editor and publisher, Girls” filming a fifth and final season here, and complaints are dealt with swiftly. The Eastern Door it shows the hole that needs to be filled so it That $500 per day per location is money that doesn’t happen again. is now lost because the last season of “Mohawk 1170 River Road The Eastern Door wrote about it last week, of Girls” has to film roughly half of its show else - Kahnawake, Quebec how the series, set in Kahnawake, had to where. choose locations outside of the territory be - Why did someone on the council think they J0L 1B0 cause the MCK was going to decide whether or had a right to debate an issue like this? not it even should be filmed here, due to its To be fair, not all of the council agreed with June 9, 2017 controversial content. discussing the issue of Mohawk Girls permits, They ended up deciding it wasn’t their issue but they held it back long enough to delay loca - FROM THE JUDGE to decide, and it was approved, but the delay tion scouting – and that’s the problem. was costly to Kahnawake. A mechanism has to be put in place to keep When leaders’ personal It is called artistic license, men and women things like this out of the council’s hands, to de - judgments interfere with of the council, and no matter what you think of cide swiftly on issues that require simple verifi - legal decisions, it can be the the show’s racy content, you have no right (as cation, but what does that look like? community that pays, as this you finally agreed) to stick your collective noses The Eastern Door brings these types of issues editorial points out. Steve ex - plains how a delay in into the equation – now or in the future. up because it’s important for our elected offi - providing a permit to film a The show has its own take on town, and if cials so neck-deep into politics to stop for a sec - show some find personally of - you disagree with what it portrays, or have is - ond and think rationally – should we be fensive in the territory costs the sues with the show’s creator, Tracey Deer, that “ruling” on this? Or is it simply none of our community financially and still does not give you the right to stop her from business? threatens freedom of filming in her own community, at people’s pri - And if you answer as a leader and not as an expression. vate homes, hiring locals as actors on set, in individual, it’s clear. training, spending money in local restaurants If proper procedure was put into place, the Steve Bonspiel also won a and shops, among other economic offshoots. guesswork is taken out of the equation. Golden Dozen award in 2014 No one should be able to dictate what is and Just make sure it’s fair and works for all, re - and 2017. isn’t acceptable in a show that does not libel or gardless of political leanings. spread hate speech; a show that has a large fol - Because what you certainly don’t want is an - lowing behind it, that promotes the community other show or exhibit, or other form of free - on screen, that has been one of the most suc - dom of speech or expression, being controlled cessful creations ever to come out of Kah - once again by council. nawake. Don’t like it? That’s fine. But putting in a Steve Bonspiel can be contacted at complaint in hopes of stopping it from being [email protected]. filmed here?

11 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Yes to a clear conscience WE NEED TO BUILD A NEW JAIL, LOCK THE OLD ONE AND THROW AWAY THE KEY

ometimes you need to vote your pocket - this: “Let’s move the prisoners to the rela - book, and sometimes you need to vote tively new Dent County Animal Shelter and Donald Dodd your conscience. April 4 is one of those move the dogs and cats to the jail… No, won’t Stimes you need to vote your conscience. work. The good folks who run the animal I can’t remember a time that I have been shelter would never agree to their dogs and Publisher, more embarrassed and regretful for our com - cats living in those conditions.” The Salem News munity than the week of Feb. 28, when a I take my pocketbook very seriously. A lot story, photos and video on the Dent County of us do, given the way the economy has been 500 N. Washington Jail appeared in the Salem News and on the - over the past decade or so. A couple of half- Salem, Missouri salemnewsonline.com. cent sales taxes to pay for the jail and its oper - 65560 Months ago during a news meeting, we de - ation aren’t chicken feed, as they say. But it cided that staff writer Andrew Sheeley would would likely be a lot cheaper than the alterna - March 21, 2017 spend a night in the jail to see how much over - tive, which any day now will be lawsuits ga - crowding is a problem. We planned to publish lore and a court-ordered new jail that would the story a little over a month before Salem be paid for with tax money found somewhere, FROM THE JUDGE and Dent County voters go to the poll to de - or bankrupt the county. You know where tax Linking previous coverage cide on a sales tax increase that would fund money comes from. of the inhumane conditions construction and operating costs of a pro - Those aren’t scenarios dreamed up by me in the county jail, this posed new jail. or others to get residents to vote for the new editorial reminds readers We got a lot more than we bargained for, jail. They are real threats to the financial well- that they can do something and it was painful to watch. A black mold being of our county. about the deplorable problem makes the jail unhealthy. When it’s In some ways I feel somewhat responsible conditions: vote. Whether overcrowded, prisoners are handcuffed to for what has happened with the jail’s deterio - moved by conscience or the chairs in the booking room or placed in other ration and the resulting squalor. We, as a potential legal liability of deputy work areas and sleep on thin mats on newspaper staff, are supposed to be the overcrowded, unhealthy concrete floors. Fights are commonplace. It’s watchdogs of the community. This watchdog conditions, Donald makes a non-nonsense argument to a dangerous situation for prisoners and apparently slept through this one. And we readers to take responsible deputies. woke up on Feb. 28 when Sheeley’s story was action. I could go on, but by now you have heard there for the world to see. Every elected offi - the myriad of jail problems. If not, I urge you cial deserves a little discredit on this one, too. to go to thesalemnewsonline.com and see for We didn’t know, but we should have known. yourself. Over a million people have viewed The jail situation never should have gotten the video on YouTube, so our situation has this bad, and no excuse, claim of ignorance, drawn the attention of more than Dent finger pointing or kicking of the can down the County. The jail is a nightmare for those in - road is good enough. Something needs to be carcerated, as well as those who work there. done, and it needs to be done on April 4. Everyone in his or her right mind who read I doubt there is a person in Dent County the story, or watched the video, knows some - who doesn’t know someone who has been thing needs to be done. subject to a night in our jail. Our community The best and most sensible solution is to should apologize to each and every person, build a new jail, and Dent County commis - guilty or not, who ever spent a night in those sioners Darrell Skiles, Gary Larson and Den - conditions. nis Purcell and a committee of citizens have I didn’t know it was that bad, and April 4 I come up with a reasonable and prudent plan will vote yes so we can build a common-sense to build that new jail. We elected them to facility and slam the doors closed on the filthy, make good decisions, and all things consid - unsafe, embarrassment of a jail we have now. ered, this is a tough but good decision, and for It’s our best option. a lot of reasons. No. 1, we must have a new jail to replace Donald Dodd can be contacted at the inhumane one we have. A running, not-so- [email protected]. funny joke making it around town goes like

12 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Hospital merits sales tax vote arshall County is fortunate to have a Facing growing financial stress, the hospital first-rate hospital. The staff and ad - board took a wise step and proposed that the ministration are well trained and public share the cost with a half-cent county - Mprofessional. They offer our rural wide sales tax that will raise about $450,000 Sarah Kessinger communities a level of care that matches and per year. often exceeds urban areas, where one often Unfortunately, two of the three county com - Editor and publisher, doesn’t know the medical staff who serve missioners on Monday turned down CMH’s re - The Marysville Advocate them. quest to simply place this question on the Community Memorial Healthcare’s request ballot in November’s election. 107 S. Ninth St. to the Marshall County Board of Commission - The hospital board pledged to go out and ed - ers to place a county sales tax on the ballot was ucate voters, that all commissioners needed to Marysville, Kansas based upon the standard of care we have come do was let the public decide. 66508 to expect here. The hospital simply wants to Instead, commissioners Dave Baier and Bob continue providing good, critical services. Connell said no because they thought the hos - June 23, 2017 CMH faces financial challenges pressing hos - pital should release its latest audit. But they pitals nationwide. The facility is now receiving never once raised this concern with the hospi - FROM THE JUDGE less reimbursement from Medicare than a few tal board. They easily could have requested years ago. Federal cuts mean hospitals such as more discussion. When county commissioners CMH are paid 99 percent of costs for Connell also said that if he allowed this elec - shot down the financially Medicare patients, leaving CMH to somehow tion for the hospital, then how could he turn embattled local hospital’s make up the rest. down the next business that came along and re - attempts to place a proposed Medicare is critical to this county. It is the quested a sales tax vote. sales tax on the ballot, this only way our hospital can afford to care for the CMH is not a business. It is a non-profit, life- editor came to the defense of rural healthcare. elderly. Without full reimbursement for it, saving service for the community. where does our hospital turn to cover the And state law specifically allows counties to Sarah’s overview of the costs? pass a sales tax for health-care facilities. That’s challenges facing the hospital At the same time, the hospital faces about because so many counties are turning to local and its importance to the $1.5 million annually in uncompensated care. taxes to bolster their hospitals in an age when community manages to CMH has no choice in whether to treat the ill many are on the brink of closure. encapsulate the historical or injured who are uninsured. Connell and Baier should reconsider. There facts and associated issues with As a non-profit charitable organization, is long-term value in supporting one of the clarity and brevity and makes a CMH has benefited from generous donations county’s largest employers, which plays a criti - strong argument for the from county residents for decades while also cal role in our quality of life. responsibility of the county government to allow citizens to relying upon regular fees for service and fed - The hospital board should not give up, but vote to protect the hospital they eral reimbursements from the Medicare and continue to educate the public and continue to rely on for both employment Medicaid programs. call for a vote. and access to care. But medical costs are growing, technology is expensive and federal support is waning. Sarah Kessinger can be contacted at This is where the request to the county [email protected]. comes in for the first time in CMH’s history.

13 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Put an end to client-shaming lection season is stupid season, here and pounding this message until someone realized elsewhere. Be glad it ended last month. that, um, Herring’s Democratic ticket-mate, Here’s a plea to politicians and political Justin Fairfax, worked at one of those firms, Etypes as they get ready for the next in - too. evitable cycle: When a political candidate is a Indeed, Fairfax, the candidate for lieutenant lawyer, he or she should not be subject to governor, was counsel at the Tysons Corner client-shaming, especially from another lawyer and DC offices of Venable LLP, a big firm running for office. which has a client roster full of big businesses, Paul Fletcher Client-shaming is a cheap tactic that at - powerful people and what Herring might call tempts to project the candidate’s clients, or “wealthy special interests.” Editor-in-chief, those of his or her firm, onto the candidate. The Herring client-shaming effort quietly dis - Virginia Lawyers Weekly All their weaknesses, problems, imperfections appeared. and perceived negative characteristics become Every lawyer in this commonwealth is sub - 411 E. Franklin Street those of the candidate. ject to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Richmond, Virginia It is at bottom a cynical practice. Those who Those ethics rules require the lawyer to repre - 23219 use it oversimplify the lawyer-candidate’s sent his or her clients zealously. Failure to do work. They conclude, essentially, that the gen - so gets the lawyer in trouble with the Virginia December 18, 2017 eral public is too dumb to know the difference. State Bar. Candidates from both parties are guilty of And the Constitution, in the Sixth Amend - this cheesy maneuver. Republican Jerry Kil - ment, guarantees that a criminal defendant is FROM THE JUDGE gore, in the 2005 race for governor, lambasted entitled to a lawyer. Attacks and incomplete in - “liberal Tim Kaine,” the Democrat, for having Candidates seeking the office of Attorney formation slung during represented violent criminals. General sometimes mischaracterize the post campaign seasons make it When Kaine was Hillary Clinton’s running they seek – the AG isn’t really Virginia’s “top difficult for voters to make mate in 2016, he was subjected to more of the cop,” for example. The AG basically is the informed decision. Paul same, as GOP oppo research darkly intoned managing partner of a large law firm that has challenges attorneys to stop that Kaine had “spent his career defending one client – the commonwealth. contributing to the rapists and murderers.” Gee, we wouldn’t That’s hard to explain in a quick sound bite. uncertainty by using a want a guy like that in high office, would we? But that doesn’t justify the resort to client- candidate’s clients to That’s an example of trying to tie a candi - shaming or worse. Credit (or blame) an unsuc - project a negative image of date to unsavory low-life criminals. How about cessful AG candidate for one of the dumbest the person who is running for office. unsavory fat-cat, pig-dog corporate interests? ads ever, aired in the heat of a fall campaign Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democ - some years back. The radio spot menacingly This editorial holds rat, went after the clients of his Republican op - whispered that the man’s opponent “wasn’t attorneys accountable for ponent, John Adams, when the two men met even a member of the Virginia Bar Associa - exploiting distinctions that for their first debate in June. tion!” are unclear to average Herring said Adams “has been part of a No doubt his campaign thought the gullible voters to undermine the in - powerful Richmond law firm for the last seven electorate wouldn’t know the difference be - tegrity of opponents. years, and he and his team brag about how tween the VBA, which is a voluntary group, they specialize in shielding people who are in - and the VSB, which is a mandatory state volved in kickbacks, pyramid schemes, embez - agency. The distinction likely was lost on the zlement, money laundering, tax fraud, bribery, public, but the implication that the opponent obstruction of justice.” wasn’t a licensed lawyer was clear. Adams, a former federal prosecutor, handles Is it too much to ask lawyer-candidates to re - white-collar crime cases at McGuireWoods, frain from pandering attacks on other lawyer- where he is a partner. candidates, and to stop oversimplifying the The Herring campaign doubled down on legal profession during a campaign? this approach with an attack ad in August, say - Del. Greg Habeeb, R-Salem and a practicing ing, “John Adams is trying to hide the fact that trial lawyer in Roanoke, put it best in a tweet he has personally profited by working to get responding to Herring’s attack ad: “Lawyers big businesses, banks, and mortgage compa - are supposed to know better.” nies off the hook when they are accused of breaking the law and taking advantage of Vir - Paul Fletcher can be contacted at ginians.” [email protected]. The Herring campaign seemed keen to keep

14 grassroots editor • summer 2018 The Blues Factory referendums oters of Port Washington made their The council ignored petitions to hold a refer - choices yesterday, and as a result, our endum on the issue, so the voters gave it not Common Council will have new mem - one but two referendums of their own on the Vbers. We will miss our departing col - land sale – in the 3rd District, where the in - William F. Schanen III leagues, who have served their city with cumbent and outspoken Blues Factory sup - dedication and diligence, but we respect the will porter Bill Driscoll was eliminated in the Publisher, of the people and look forward to working with primary election and will be replaced by Ozaukee Press the new aldermen in the best interests of our Gasper, and in the 7th-District Sigwart-Becker community. We congratulate them on their elec - race. The dominant issue in both races was the tion to the council. Blues Factory land sale. The challengers op - 125 E. Main St. posed it. Port Washington, Wisconsin That is what was not said at the council meet - The referendum results: rejection of the 53074 ing on the night after last week’s election. Blues Factory. Instead of an appropriate and gracious ac - As for the Blues Factory itself, it slipped knowledgement of their election victories, the closer to full fiasco status last week when the April 13, 2017 two newly elected aldermen who defeated in - council approved the latest of numerous exten - cumbents were subjected to an insulting, de - sions of the deadline for purchase of the land meaning lecture by Ald. Dave Larson. by the developer. FROM THE JUDGE “I think this was a situation where you took The stated reason was to give the city time to After ignoring petitions from advantage of a low-turnout election,” Larson repair underground tiebacks supporting the constituents on a land use said, addressing John Sigwart and Mike Gasper harbor wall in preparation for constructing the issue, members of the Common from the council dais. He went on, admonish - two-story brick Blues Factory building on the Council lost their seats in the ing them that it was “important to understand” north slip parking lot. election. This editorial calls the that they do not represent only those who voted The delay also serves to keep the Blues Fac - incumbent aldermen to acount and attributing their election to a “vocal minor - tory proposal on life support by giving the hesi - for their unethical behavior in ity.” tant developer more time – until February – to attacking the aldermen-elect “This was a vocal minority that took advan - find the will and the financing to buy the land. and declaring them “not one of us,” while simultaneously tage of a low-turnout election,” Larson said. “I Larson’s bitter response to the election, moving forward with a think that the silent majority is going to become which suggests that he and perhaps other alder - controversial land use measure very vocal soon.” men will continue to push the land sale regard - without public input. He told the new aldermen: “You’re not one less of the unmistakable messages from voters, of us.” can be taken as a measure of the corrosive ef - Bill Schanen manages to It was a low, embarrassing moment for Port fect the issue has had on the community. There separate the land use issue Washington’s elected city government. was a time when it would have been unthink - itself from the behavior and Elections, as grade-school pupils know from able for a city official to use the privileged avoid personal attacks, their introduction to civics, are determined by perch of his office to publicly belittle city elec - resulting in a well-reasoned the majority of voters. In Sigwart’s case, the tion winners and the citizens who voted for criticism of abuse of power. majority was overwhelming – 260 votes for them. him, 98 for the incumbent, Dan Becker. Citizens have expressed their opposition to William F. Schanen III also won More than just a landslide, the victory by a using public lakefront land for the Blues Fac - the Golden Quill award in 1985 73% to 27% margin was a repudiation of the tory in every way available to them, including and 2001 and Golden Dozen council’s unrelenting campaign to sell public the ballot box. But they do not have the power awards in 1984, 1987, 1992, land overlooking the harbor as a site for the to stop it. 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, Blues Factory music attraction in spite of broad That power resides with the Common Coun - 2003, 2008, 2014, 2015, and public opposition. cil. 2016. The impact of the lopsided vote was height - Dissolving the agreement to sell the harbor ened by the fact that the incumbent, Becker, land would go a long way toward restoring re - was not only the president of the council, but spect between the citizens of Port Washington was a respected and capable alderman who and their elected officials. had served on the council since 2009 with evi - dent public support until he alienated voters William F. Schanen III can be contacted at with a push for harbor land sale. [email protected].

15 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Terrorism is not colour coded

he water cooler discussion a week ago Writer Jason Burke, in The Myth of the Lone Monday was predictable, the Las Vegas Wolf , reminds us that during the 1960s and massacre of concert goers and a vehicle 70s many home-grown groups and lone wolves, Brenda P. Schimke Tassault on a police officer and Jasper Av - on the right and left, were terrorizing Europe enue pedestrians in Edmonton. and America. Columnist, As would be expected, there was much grief I remember Timothy McVeigh killing 168 in - East Central Alberta Review expressed for those gunned down like animals nocent children and adults when he bombed a in Vegas, and fear about what happened in Ed - government building in Oklahoma City in 1995 4921 – Victoria Ave. monton. But the comment that continues to and, in the same era, religious zealots bombing Coronation, Alberta haunt me was when the kindest person on staff abortion clinics, killing adults to save babies. said, “the one good thing, at least the Vegas And there are many more terrorist examples T0C 1C0 shooting wasn’t a terrorist attack.” prior to and post 9/11 perpetrated by whites October 12, 2017 Now the only possible rationale for such a on the left and right. Ironically, the Islamic ex - comment would be an inner belief that the tremists, who are fighting the in fidels – demo - shooter in Vegas was not a terrorist because he cratic governments led by the United States – FROM THE JUDGE was white with a traditional American name. have much in common with white national ex - Whereas the perpetrator in Edmonton was a tremists in the United States who are also fight - By pointing out that the terrorist because he was brown with an Arab- ing their democratically elected federal violence committed by sounding name. government. Whether it’s 20 dead six-year-old white attackers is as much Even though the white guy had an arsenal of students and six teachers in Sandy Hook or 59 terrorism as similar acts modified assault weapons to maximize carnage dead music fans in Vegas, mass shootings are committed by Muslims and other minorities, this in Vegas, why would anyone consider him less wrapped up in American liberty and fear of editorial challenges readers of a terrorist than the individual in Edmonton their federal government. to think about their with an ISIS flag? In Canada, we need to stop Americanizing underlying assumptions This year in Canada there have been more ourselves with a steady diet of CNN, FOX about race. innocent Muslims gunned down by a white ex - News and The Rebel. We are better educated, tremist than the other way around. more travelled and have a far superior gover - Brenda contends that On January 29, Alexandre Bissonnette nance and judicial system than our neighbours anyone who turns to hate opened fire in a Quebec City mosque as to the south. (P.S. don’t tell them, they think because of their fear of prayers were ending, killing six and injuring they’re the greatest!) losing their way of life is vul - 19. Terrorism is simply getting wrapped up in an nerable to radicalization and encourages readers to Iman Hassan Guillet, during the funeral for uncompromising ideology that leads to the jus - be mindful of the impact of the six, said, “Alexandre Bissonnette, before tification for violence. Most important, we hate on their own behavior being a killer, was a victim himself. Before he must always be mindful of our hate and the in - and attitudes. planted bullets in the heads of his victims, tensity of that hate because each one of us can somebody planted ideas more dangerous than be radicalized. bullets in this head.” Terrorism is not colour coded. Terrorism is any act against citizens by an in - dividual or group that subscribes to an uncom - Brenda P. Schimke can be contacted at promising ideology that can justify and [email protected]. rationalize violence on innocents.

16 grassroots editor • summer 2018

Mark Ridolfi continued from page 4 How do you Assistant Editor, The North Scott Press data without the names, for a story that documented Which teachers hold carry permits? Might they be the surge of gun ownership. Again, Conard immedi - useful in improving school safety? How many private 214 N. 2nd St. ately complied, providing it in a handy Excel spread - security guards have been denied carry permit re - Eldridge, Iowa sheet. We broke it down by professional versus quests because of prior offenses? Who has been 52745 civilian permits, gender and community. The story wrongly denied a carry permit? Who might have disclosed 12,824 carry permits then, and identified been recklessly granted a permit? Are there Iowa Scott County towns, including McCausland, where permit holders with undisclosed Illinois offenses that one in five adults hold a carry permit. should prohibit their use of guns? Or vice versa? Are The story also included police and sheriff’s women denied more frequently than men? Blacks deputies’ assessments of all these new gun carriers. more than whites? They concluded it has neither helped nor hindered Now, only those managing the permits will know. law enforcement. None told stories of reckless per - That awkwardly worded Second Amendment mit holders. None knew of any crime thwarted or gives a “well regulated militia” as the only stated rea - solved by a private resident with a gun. All told sto - son for not infringing “the right of the people to keep ries of encountering armed permit holders during and bear arms.” We might infer other reasons. But traffic stops who dutifully divulged the permit and they’re not included in the Second Amendment. weapon location in the vehicle without incident. If the reporting would have found abuse and may - First Amendment hem, we would have published that. But we pub - So gun ownership remains regulated and subject lished the story supported by factual reporting based to registration, just like voting or driving. Those on public records. records are public. We don’t publish them in a long list. But the press and the public can inspect them. Public records Should the regulated right to bear a firearm capa - Now the public records are inaccessible. No one ble of depriving liberty and life remain public as but law enforcement professionals can look to deter - well? My journalist’s heart says yes. The founders mine if permits are being issued in accordance with wrote the First Amendment to give every American, the statewide standard. and by name, “the press,” the right to ask these No one can discern why individuals have been questions and offer these opinions. Unlike the Sec - turned down. ond Amendment, the founders saw no need to offer No one will know if a thrice-denied applicant gets a reason to regulate the first. his or her fourth request granted. The First empowers the public and press to “peti - Before the Iowa legislature made these public tion the government for a redress of grievances.” records secret, North Scott Press publisher Bill How does the public discern a grievance without ac - Tubbs formally requested the full database, names cess to public records? The North Scott Press has and all. Newly elected Sheriff Tim Lane instantly the last full, public record. I’ve shared a few report - complied, supplying the names, town of residence ing ideas for that database. and application dates for 12,662 carry permit hold - How would you like to see that record used? ers this year. Should it be used? Or should the public’s First That database will be helpful when we report on Amendment rights necessarily defer to its Second? crime. We can check the 2016 records, at least, to see if armed criminal suspects were lawfully permit - Mark Ridolfi can be contacted at ted, or were illegally holding guns. [email protected]. I can think of many more useful stories.

17 grassroots editor • summer 2018

Melissa Hale- Spencer We stand as continued from page 6

Editor, The Altamont Enterprise its students against discrimination and harass - make us redouble our efforts to accept them for ment. who they are and treat them with the respect and But, without the force of federal government dignity they deserve. 120 Maple Avenue withholding aid, some states and school districts The great danger in having a president and a Altamont, New York will continue to deny these civil rights. The fed - federal directive that chips away at the civil rights 12009 eral directive from the Obama administration, of any of us – even in states like New York with which was very similar to what New York State its own protections – is it weakens all of us. already had in place, cited Title IX of the Educa - Under the current administration and the rheto - tion Amendments, which took effect in 1972, as ric of hate it has ushered in, hate crimes have requiring schools “to provide a safe and nondis - spiked, particularly against minority groups and criminatory environment for all students, includ - immigrants, against anyone who isn’t white and ing transgender students.” Christian. Our state’s commissioner of education, Mary We urge our schools to stand proud and stand Ellen Elia, was quick to respond to the Trump di - strong. rective, stating, “Our most sacred duty as par - Ryka Sweeney told us of helping Cliff Nooney ents, educators and leaders of state agencies is to put the sign on the transgender bathroom at protect all of the children in our care. Transgen - Guilderland High School. “I am thrilled about it. der youth are valued members of our schools I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited in my and communities across New York State, yet sta - life than the day we hung up that sign.” tistics show that more than half of them will at - Symbols matter. And that sign on a school tempt suicide at least once by their 20th bathroom door is as much a beacon as the torch birthday.” carried by our Statue of Liberty – the statue that That’s a sobering statistic. And there are more. cries with silent lips, “Give me your tired, your Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender stu - poor,/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe dents victimized because of their gender expres - free/ The wretched refuse of your teeming sion were more than three times as likely to have shore./ Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to missed school than their less victimized counter - me,/ I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” parts, according to the 2013 National School Cli - We would like to tell Ryka and Julia and Riley mate Survey. They also had lower grades than – and any transgender person reading this: Don’t students who reported being harassed less often; let a federal directive let you think less of your - they were twice as likely not to plan education self. You have worked hard, harder than most of after high school; and they had higher levels of us, to discover and assert your identity. We are depression and lower levels of self-esteem. grateful to have you in our midst. We stand as The sort of derision that transgender students one with you. described on our pages – and, mind you, these were in districts with policies in place to protect Melissa Hale-Spencer can be contacted at them – should give us all pause. And should [email protected].

Mike Buffington Why is Barrow continued from page 8 Co-publisher and editor, The Jackson Herald The fear of “others” has become pervasive and pressed on social media and the inane comments 33 Lee Street oppressive, especially in rural areas where a mix made at that planning board hearing. It was Jefferson, Georgia 30549 of ethnic groups is less common than in urban nothing more than chest-beating tribalism on dis - areas. Out here in the hinterland, people with play. funny sounding names and brown skin are sus - And anyway, who in their right mind is against pect. yoga? If Barrow wants to succeed as a place for new The county government should take a deep businesses, it will have to shed itself of this isola - breath, then go back and do the right thing. tionist, tribalism tone. What decent industry wants to locate in a community where people Mike Buffington can be contacted at openly express this kind of xenophobic views? [email protected]. Barrow is better than the ugly memes ex -

18 grassroots editor • summer 2018 The 43rd annual Eugene Cervi Award he Eugene Cervi Award was estab - highest standards of the craft with the deep lished by ISWNE in 1976 to honor the reverence for the English language that was the memory of Eugene Cervi of the Rocky hallmark of Gene Cervi’s writing. The award TMountain Journal in Denver by recog - also recognizes consistently aggressive report - nizing a newspaper editor who has consistently ing of government at the grassroots level and acted in the conviction that “good journalism interpretation of local affairs. begets good government.” Following his death at age 64 in 1970, The The award is presented not for a single brave New York Times described Cervi as “one of the accomplishment, however deserving, but for a most outspoken voices in American journal - career of outstanding public service through ism.” Today, several ISWNE members still re - community journalism and for adhering to the gard him as their “journalism conscience.” This Year’s Winner Is... Ross Connelly

erhaps, the Concord Kiddette and The Washington Post were stepping stones, unknown at the time, that led Ross Connelly to a career as a journalist. The former was a Pcommunity newspaper started and staffed by a group of junior high students, in 1955, with the editor’s 10-year-old kid brother – the subject of this essay – serving as the publication’s copy boy. The latter is, well, The Post . Connelly’s early thoughts – perhaps in junior high – focused on architecture and then medicine as careers of interest. As the classes progressed through high school, the reality of being “nu - merically challenged” (not uncommon among journalists, he learned years later) and then hitting the wall in college freshman chemistry brought home the reality that something else as a call - ing was needed. What that would be remained a mystery, al - though the unseen shadows mentioned above were there. High school and college also brought exposure to history, soci - ology, philosophy and political science. A classmate in a public administration course often talked of his work as a reporter at The Post , while they sat in the back row bearing the tediousness of the professor’s lectures. A roommate worked his way through law school at that same newspaper each Saturday night, stuffing inserts, a far cry – economically and sociologically — from the newsroom. But that offered Connelly his first paid newspaper job, even if only once. How many journalists can claim their first job in a newspaper was at The Washington Post ? Connelly worked in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and received an undergraduate degree in political science. After college, he had an admission letter but decided not to pursue a graduate degree in filmmaking. He continued his search for what was over the next hill. Graduate work in political science in the 1970s (he stumbled through a statistics course, which proved valuable years later as a journalist) came after finding work in the basement of a Boston Continued on page 24 Ross Connelly 19 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Ross a perfect match for Eugene Cervi Award By Mike Donoghue ing for The Patriots’ Report for the New nity newspaper because The Gazette was Executive Director England Patriots. (Please don’t take of - not a cheerleader and refused to look the Vermont Press Association fense. I don’t as a lifelong New York Gi - other way on certain stories. When the Se - ants fan.) He soon joined the Daily Times lect Board decided to have a “retreat” at t is my distinct pleasure to nominate Chronicle in Reading, Mass., as a sports - her home to discuss town business, Ross Ross Connelly for the Eugene Cervi writer. insisted the reporter attend because it fell Award. He has had a broad positive in - He later served as a columnist for the under the definition of a public meeting in Ifluence on journalism in Vermont, Transcript-Telegram in Holyoke, Mass. Vermont. The board was miffed and so throughout New England and across the (1982-85) and later was editor at the Cape was a representative of the Vermont United States. Cod Chronicle in Chatham, Mass., in League of Cities and Towns when The Ross is the longtime (and recently re - 1985. Gazette reporter showed up, but knew the tired) co-publisher and editor of The Hard - I was excited when Ross and his wife, reporter needed to be admitted. wick Gazette in Hardwick, Vermont. He the late Susan Jarzyna, moved from Mas - Later, after the board said it was “ad - has had an extraordinary journalism ca - sachusetts to Vermont in 1986 when they journed,” but said they were sticking reer and is certainly a worthy nominee for bought The Hardwick Gazette . around to have lunch, the reporter in - the Cervi Award for all his efforts and con - Susan, who was co-publisher and adver - sisted on staying just to ensure no town tributions to the profession. tising director, worked side-by-side and business was discussed. The chair of the Ross, among other things, also has long hours with Ross until her death from board later complained the lasagna she served as president of both the Vermont cancer in 2011. During that time, The cooked was burned because of the time it Press Association (VPA) and the New Eng - Hardwick Gazette served as a key vehicle took to debate whether the reporter had land Press Association (NEPA). He was of news, information exchange, commen - to leave. When the Vermont Secretary of also the founding chair of the Vermont tary and more. The newspaper covers 10 State, who had worked for the Vermont Coalition for Open Government (VT- diverse Vermont towns that fall in be - League of Cities and Towns, said she COG). tween three dailies in no man’s land. The thought Ross and The Gazette owed the I have seen his work and efforts in sev - Gazette is the go-to point for news and in - chair an apology for the burnt lasagna, eral of my capacities: as a now-retired formation in the area. It is the oldest Ross stood firm. He wrote an editorial Burlington Free Press newsroom employee weekly newspaper covering the Northeast that noted how the town board was trying for over 45 years; as an adjunct journal - Kingdom of Vermont. to do business outside the public eye. ism professor at St. Michael’s College for Ross and The Gazette have been recog - (Apparently, the news reporting and over 30 years; as an officer and executive nized with countless awards over the past commentary over the years generated re - director of the VPA for over 37 years; a three-plus decades. These honors were spect that overcame the ire. This year, the former board member of NEPA; and a given by the New England Associated Town of Hardwick dedicated its annual founding member of VT-COG; and as the Press Managing Editors Association, the Town Report to The Gazette .) current vice president of the New England Vermont Press Association, the New Eng - Thus, it is safe to say The Gazette is not First Amendment Coalition. I will share land Press Association, the National News - all bad news some town officials would some of those observations. paper Association and the International just as soon be left unreported. Besides Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors. the local news, The Gazette has a lively ed - Newspaper career Ross and The Gazette have taken hard itorial and letters page, it covers the arts For over 36 years, Ross Connelly has stands and sometimes unpopular stands, and has a sports section most editors done it all, including writing news, sports, but the people in the circulation area would die for in a weekly newspaper. (The features, editorials, while also directing know he does not play favorites. His dedi - sports editor for 20 years was a former one of the top weeklies in New England. cated staff and a group of veteran corre - daily sports editor who loved to beat the Ross received numerous awards through - spondents know they will be backed when dailies with scoops on state and local sto - out his career from the Associated Press, they object to secret meetings, withhold - ries. For his reporting of local sports over the VPA, NEPA, the NNA, and ISWNE. ing public documents, or reporting on im - the years, a senior class at the local high He was also inducted into the New Eng - proper procedures. Sometimes, select school dedicated its yearbook to him and land Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2012. boards or town officials may not like The the town also dedicated the Town Report The awards were for news and sports Gazette for reporting a story that may to him after he died.) writing, for photography and his editorial show the warts of their community. Ross has given many young journalists a commentary. He is also a five-time winner Ross and The Gazette have drawn the chance to break into the business. He of the Golden Dozen editorial writing ire of the Hardwick Select Board in the knows that he cannot keep them forever, award presented each year by the ISWNE. past. I remember at one point, the chair of but he has mentored and provided the Ross began his journalism career writ - the select board started her own commu - Continued on page 25 20 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Ross spoke for the people at every turn By Jack Authelet the metro areas. In response to other chal - position was fierce, but he never backed Eugene Cervi Award, 1998 lenges, Ross became the cutting edge, chal - down and spoke for the people at every Horace Greely Award, 2000 lenging governments that did not want the turn. In due time, Vermont went from Yankee Quill Award, 2011 basic freedoms of the press which were the what many considered the worst public only way taxpayers could gain sufficient in - record access to one of the best and Ross formation about their government to make Connelly was a key member in the dedi - s I look across the room at the good decisions in running it. cated Vermont group that would settle for Cervi Award that I am most proud In my years as SPJ Sunshine Chairman nothing less on behalf of the people they to display and see a Foxboro Re - for Massachusetts, I was also working with were pledged to serve. Aporter in the hand and under the Sunshine efforts in the other New England When I look down the list of Cervi recip - arm of the newsboy in the statue, I think of states via the NEPA Bulletin . I spent con - ients, I see many giants of the industry the number of papers needed to highlight siderable time with Ross on his challenges from some of the largest papers from the career of Ross Connelly. I wonder how in Vermont, where everything was sealed whom we all learned so much. That makes much more journalism could have been unless there as a specific clause opening it me think of others who were a bit removed worked into his life, but it would be great up. from the mainstream, out in the suburban to cap it off with the presentation of the What struck me most about Ross is that areas fighting the same fights for and Eugene Cervi Award and to that end, I it didn’t matter how high the barrier was against friends and neighbors for what would consider it a privilege if I could sec - or how strongly it was supported by oppo - they believed to be right. I think the battle ond his nomination. nents of transparency. The people were Ross Connelly fought throughout his entire Ross frequently found himself on the being denied their constitutional rights. career is worthy of recognition by the In - cutting edge, be it ethic changes in popula - That wasn’t acceptable, and he was going ternational Society of Weekly Newspaper tion, family income in failing cities, and to do something about it. Editors. communities without a voice far beyond He paid a price for his commitment. Op - Ross Connelly stands tall in the news industry By Alberta Saffell Bell links to radio broadcasts that kept me up - New England Press Association, the Ver - President/publisher dated and informed about whirling news mont Press Association and the National The Gardner News on the local, state, national and world lev - Newspaper Association. Gardner, Massachusetts els. Our “Wednesday Chats” garnered a Ross Connelly stands tall in the news in - reservoir of invaluable insight and goodwill dustry. The many awards and recognition as we exchanged points of view and dis - by his colleagues and the broader commu - It is my special honor to offer Ross sected the underpinnings of good journal - nity attest to his achievement. In 2012, he Connelly’s name as recipient of the Eu - ism. was named to the New England Newspa - gene Cervi Award. As a mentor, friend The numerous awards he has received per Hall of Fame. Subsequently, the Ver - Iand colleague over many years, his sup - attest to excellence in his craft. The first mont legislature passed a resolution port, his professionalism and his dedica - award he received was from the New Eng - recognizing him for his work and accom - tion to service has been exemplified land Press Association. It recognized his plishments. His commitment to serving the throughout his career. excellence in feature writing. From his em - community is also evidenced by the leader - Beginning with our initial meeting at a ployment with the Transcript-Telegram in ship positions he has held. Serving as pres - NENA convention, a casual conversation Holyoke, many other awards followed. ident of the New England Press grew into a mentoring relationship that The International Society of Weekly Association in 1996 and later as president truly helped me grow in my knowledge of Newspaper Editors awarded Ross five of the Vermont Press Association from the newspaper industry. Showing that true Golden Dozen awards for editorial writ - 2001-2003, Ross served on both boards knowledge is to be shared, Ross gener - ing. He received eight awards from the for close to 10 years. ously allowed me, a novice in the field, to Vermont Press Association. These included On a personal note, Ross’ love for news - benefit from his professional training as six for editorial writing (judging combined papers and his influence in the industry is well as his practical experience. daily and non-daily entries); one for sports obvious. Producing a quality product, pre - His wealth of knowledge went far be - photography and one for news photogra - senting balanced information with ethical yond his earned credentials – the bache - phy. From the New England Press Associa - standards has characterized his organiza - lor’s degree, cum laude from Howard in tion, this outstanding journalist received tion and his service. It is with a deep sense 1968; the M.A. from Michigan in 1972, three awards for editorial writing. One of of pride and admiration that I commend the Ph.D. pursuit at Michigan in 1973; and these was for First Amendment Reporting. my friend, my mentor, my colleague, Ross the M.S. from Boston University in 1982. Through the years, Ross and his company Connelly for the Eugene Cervi Award. He regularly shared news clippings and have received over 50 awards from the

21 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Ross always wanted to do the right thing By John S. McCright I was calling people to dig up a story on sive reporting of government at the News editor a U.S. Supreme Court justice who may grassroots level and interpretation of Addison Independent or may not have known about a racist local affairs. One of those stories is a Middlebury, Vermont covenant on a piece of property he pur - classic of good reporting – the case of chased in our neck of the woods. It was the million-dollar embezzlement from never about “gotcha”; it was about serv - the local electric department. It is the am happy to recommend Ross Con - ing the public good. type of story that far too often wouldn’t nelly for the ISWNE’s Eugene Cervi So setting the tone was something come to light without a committed edi - Award. He is highly deserving of the Ross did. And it wasn’t just for me and tor. Ihonor for his years of service to his the other reporters and correspondents Ross required that I go to almost community, and to the many, many who came through The Gazette , but for every electric department board meet - communities he touched though his re - the community as a whole. I didn’t just ing, and every reporter before me also porting and editorializing, his lobbying cover these towns, I lived in them. And I sat in on the meetings, and every re - on behalf of open government, his train - would hear people talking about the porter after. Not only did we get a lot of ing of a generation of journalists, his newspaper – sometimes with delight, stories on a public service agency that promotion of best practices in news - sometimes with disgust at the depths to touch people’s lives every day –electric - rooms around the region and the exam - which Ross would have his reporters dig ity! and the funds that pay for it – but ple he set for acting with the highest into stories, and sometimes with con - when the embezzlement surfaced he integrity and common decency. sternation that Ross just wouldn’t let an and The Gazette were completely I came to know Ross as a reporter for issue go. But they were always talking. It plugged in and ready to cover it. Ross his newspaper, The Hardwick Gazette . It was important for Ross to make The made sure that his newspaper kept tabs was my first professional job in the busi - Gazette a must-read every Wednesday. on the things that change people’s lives: ness. I may have been a little naïve When he sold the newspaper last year, the rise of cell phone towers, the re - thinking that since I was coming from he was touched to hear from so many building of downtown – for years – after Boston to “just” a weekly in Northern people that they were glad The Gazette a major fire, the selling of the 80-year- Vermont, I wouldn’t have to work that would continue since they had come to old dairy cooperative to an out-of-state hard and would get lots of time to work rely on it so much. interest, and the recurring machina - on my book and other side projects. Northern Vermont can be a hard - tions, intrigues and all-too-often shoddy Truth be told, I didn’t know that much scrabble place, and there isn’t a big ad - work of the local select boards. about the news – clearly. Ross Connelly vertising base so there isn’t a lot of People like it. Some don’t, but the changed all that. margin for spending resources foolishly. newspaper is still in business. And the Ross treated me as a professional Nevertheless, Ross always had his re - letters section is the envy of probably from Day One, just as he treated every - porters dig into big stories; he would every newspaper in Vermont (and would thing the newspaper did in a profes - give a little extra time, spend a little be in most places); it consistently has 10 sional manner. He treated everyone he extra money for gas and copies, and or more letters each week, and maybe came in contact with respect – from a dish out a ton of encouragement and four times that number as Town Meet - governor and U.S. senator to a school good advice. During my time there, ing Day approaches. board member and auto mechanic. And were a couple of big stories that Ross Ross also made a place in his paper having shown his respect and treated had me chase. The most notable was a for stories that touched people’s lives in others as professionals, he expected scandal involving auctioneers of dairy ways that made them uncomfortable be - those with whom he dealt and those cows who also happened to be presi - cause these stories touched their con - whom the newspaper covered to act dents of three local banks and, as it science. He and The Gazette did some professionally. That included the presi - turns out, first-class crooks. While these very good reporting on a transgender dent of the bank, the leader of the Boy weren’t elected officials, Ross knew they cop in town. And Ross has the strongest Scout troop, and particularly those men were just as important in their roles as commitment to coverage of African and women who served in public office. keepers of the public trust; and he and I Americans and to the treatment of all Gosh, did we keep an eye on those in reported the story well beyond the bor - minorities. This surfaced not just in the public office. Thankfully, for my career ders of the newspaper’s coverage area local paper, but Ross made coverage of in journalism, Ross set a very high bar up until the disgraced bankers went to African Americans and other minorities for coverage of public officials. It started jail … and beyond. Some sleepy weekly; an important issue at newspapers with the select boards and school this was the first time I got to interview around the region during his time on boards in the 10 towns that The Gazette federal banking officials and talked with the board and as president of the New covered; but also roped in our state reps the FBI. England Press Association. And, natu - and senators; and, of course, there was I moved on but Ross continued to ride rally, he also made hiring of minorities the governor and certainly our U.S. sen - herd on other important stories that are part of that issue, as well. ators and congressional candidates had the heart of what the Eugene Cervi And that gives me an opening to men - to be kept watch over. Before I knew it, Award recognizes: consistently aggres - Continued on page 24 22 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Ross was so much more than a country editor By Link McKie sity became the more popular and politi - Hardwick (Vt.) Gazette , Ross evidenced Former reporter, editor and publisher cally correct stand it is now. Ross made the same forward-thinking outlook. He Publication manager of the New England diversity a centerpiece of his efforts for brought big thinking to his small-town Newspaper & Press Association the association, because he had worked market in remote and rural Vermont. He for a newspaper in the demographically also brought courage to take editorial po - diverse community of Holyoke, Mass., sitions he deemed important and proper oss would be proud to be thought earlier in his career and, more impor - for the public welfare, even when they of as a country editor, because he tantly, because it was the right and were not popular. He took the time, de - was one for many years before his human thing to do. spite his intensive long hours leading his Rretirement, and a superb and re - Ross did more than talk about diver - newspaper, to join fights on behalf of the spected one. But it would be shortchang - sity. He acted on it. As a board member First Amendment, locally and beyond. ing Ross’ legacy as a journalist to think of and later president of the New England Ross treated his readers with respect, him only in that role. He was so much Press Association, Ross succeeded in hav - and, with each edition, gave them more more. ing four board seats dedicated to repre - than their money’s worth, and all the I met Ross when he was a member of sentation from each of four minority news and information that are the the then-New England Press Associa - press organizations. He continually lifeblood newspapers supply to their com - tion’s board of directors and chairman of pressed for inclusion of minorities among munities. its diversity committee. Ross was an ad - the many speakers and workshop presen - For these and so many more reasons, vocate for diversity, and pushed hard for ters at press association conventions. Ross is a most worthy candidate for the more of it in our field, well before diver - As editor and co-publisher of The Eugene Cervi Award. He covered his community without fear or favor By Tyrone Shaw Association (NEPA). On top of the gruel - Over the years, Ross was able to bene fit Associate Professor of Journalism ing demands of editing and publishing The from our program, hiring some of our stu - Johnson State College Hardwick Gazette , he also founded the dents to work full-time in his newsroom, Johnson, Vermont Vermont Coalition for Open Government. often serving with great distinction. He I direct Johnson State College’s Com - also provided internships, deploying our munications and Community Media pro - students to cover towns unused to press can think of no one more worthy of gram, the focus of which is community scrutiny. Upon returning from his first se - the Eugene Cervi Award than Ross journalism and the network of often excel - lect board meeting in a town near Hard - Connelly, whose in fluence locally, lent small-market dailies and weeklies that wick, one of my students said this: “They Istatewide, and regionally cannot be grace much of rural America. Ross was a were shocked and upset to see a reporter overstated. Simply put, Ross is the exem - great help over the past 25 years I have attending, as if they resented my being plar of the ideal journalist, combining the been lucky enough to teach at Johnson, there. I didn’t get a warm reception.” unwavering advocacy of the watchdog, regularly volunteering to serve on panels Ross covered his community as part of with a deep, compassionate understand - during our annual Community Journalism it, rather than from the outside looking in. ing of the communities he served. As he Day at the college, when journalists from And he did so fairly, eloquently, without frequently noted, his consistently excellent around the state would discuss topics such fear or favor. One of the blessings and newspaper was an essential part of Hard - as ethics, economics, media framing of im - curses of community journalism is that re - wick’s social, economic, and political fab - portant social issues, and the changing de - sponse is immediate and often personal. ric, and he took the stewardship of that mands of technology. In this, he was In his quest for open, honest governance, paper very seriously. unstinting in his generosity. Ross never backed down when select Ross’s successful efforts to bring trans - Even more important, he helped us to boards, school boards, zoning boards, or parency to the formerly opaque nature of create the college’s Community Journal - police departments – members of which local governance, an opacity that unfortu - ism Project, which has deployed our stu - were sometimes friends and neighbors – nately at one time de fined the relationship dents to six or eight annual town meetings howled. It was, as he was quick to point between press and local politics in Ver - the first Tuesday of March to cover com - out, the price of being right. mont, are well documented. His determi - munities for The Gazette . Students cov - As a former reporter and editor of a nation, while perhaps felt most keenly ered the meetings and filed stories within small weekly and longtime resident of Ver - locally, went way beyond the towns served hours to meet the Tuesday 6 p.m. dead - mont, I hold Ross and the paper he so by The Gazette . line. That tradition continues today at The brilliantly nurtured for so long, in the He was a dynamic and effective presi - Gazette under the new publisher’s leader - highest esteem. If anyone deserves this dent of the Vermont Press Association ship, yet another important legacy inher - award, it is Ross Connelly. (VPA) as well as the New England Press ited from Ross. 23 grassroots editor • summer 2018

This Year’s Winner continued from page 19 department store over the holiday sea - team newspaper of the New England Pa - sweaty, ink-smudged work of a stuffer at son. He also worked construction, waited triots, both of which led to a full-time job The Post , to figuring out what to do next tables in a Georgetown bar, did commu - writing human interest columns for a after the engine gave out 500 miles up nity organizing, taught in a prison, hit daily in western Massachusetts. That led the Alaska Highway. Perhaps, all were the road on an aborted trip to Alaska in Connelly to becoming the editor of a the seeds that blossomed into the three- a yellow VW camper… weekly on Cape Cod, which, after being plus decades of work at The Gazette , There was more community organiz - shown the door by the publisher, led to a which became a calling. ing, office work and, finally, perhaps the couple of months of part-time editing for Journalism – community journalism – ghosts of the Concord Kiddette and The an international news service, which gave was the right career. Connelly says the Washington Post , led to graduate courses way to buying The Hardwick Gazette in work is the democracy business. He also in journalism (a course in research northern Vermont in 1986. says the work remains – and is necessary methodology also proved useful) and an - The varied experiences and the aca - – for those willing to shoulder it. He’s other degree, which led to writing sports demic work added up, from the mimeo - glad he did, and encourages others to do for a small daily north of Boston. That graphed pages full of local news gathered the same. also opened the door to writing for a by prepubescent youngsters, to the

Ross always wanted continued from page 22 tion Ross’ work beyond his newspaper – newspaper sales, bills around hospital and, in many essential ways, successful and he did plenty of work. One thing he advertising, and bills that could make it as the career Ross has led. But I’ll tell talked to me about a lot during the harder for the public to find public no - you this: From what I can see, Ross al - decade I was away from Vermont was tices and municipal legals. He worked ways wanted to do the right thing; and his work to get the law changed so that with other newspapers owners, editors he wanted others do the right thing – re - public officials would be forced to pay and reporters as the head of the Ver - porters he trained, public servants he court costs of plaintiffs who successfully mont and the New England newspaper covered, people who read his newspa - sued to get them to comply with open trade groups, he worked with lawmak - per. records laws. This was a big victory for ers, he worked with private groups – Help your neighbor, serve your com - small newspapers, in particular, because Ross worked with everyone. munity, stand up for what you believe they would have the fewest resources to I’m sure others will go into greater de - in, make the world a better place. Ross fight for transparency. tail on how he worked tirelessly to make Connelly stood up, and served his com - Ross didn’t just testify to a legislative government more transparent, but I see munity by reflecting it back on itself – committee or two; he lobbied hard and my recommendation as an opportunity the good and the bad – always with an rallied supporters. And that certainly for you to hear from someone who Ross eye toward making it a better place. wasn’t the only time he’s been in the Connelly inspired. I can’t completely And, as much as any of us, he truly has capitol. He’s played roles in defeating sum up a career in a few hundred words changed the world. bills that would introduce taxes on – particularly a career as committed

24 grassroots editor • summer 2018

Ross a perefct match continued from page 20 tools, the assignments and the chances to in the state’s public records law. He served on the editorial board for the do great work and to move on. Two previ - Successfully helping defeat legislation Northfield Mount Hermon magazine ous Gazette reporters are now editors at that would have eliminated advertising by (2006-09). He served on numerous panels respected Vermont weeklies and a former Vermont hospitals. (This was seen as an at conferences and workshops over the reporter founded an online news service alleged way to cut health care costs). years, including the New England and Ver - offering some State House coverage. Successfully helping defeat a proposal mont Press Associations and at Johnson The Gazette has a reputation of commu - to put a tax on the sale of newspapers. State, Saint Michael’s and Dartmouth Col - nity service and excellence in journalism Although now retired, Ross presented leges. He was an invited panelist at the due to Ross’ dedication to the highest testimony before the Vermont Senate this 2014 annual conference of the AEJMC ideals of the profession. He has instilled a March advocating that public/municipal held in Montreal. strong sense of ethics and dedication for legal advertising continue to be published For the past 25-plus years, Ross was an those that have worked for and with him. in newspapers, pointing out that newspa - invited guest each Thursday morning on pers provide citizens unfettered access to WDEV-AM/FM in Waterbury to talk Association work public information through newsstand about the top issues and stories from The Ross was an active president for both sales, subscriptions and public libraries. Gazette. (He has also appeared as a guest the VPA and NEPA. Some of his most far- There is an effort to take them away from on National Public Radio.) reaching efforts came in the way of bring - newspapers. Readers have been able to see his work ing diversity to the board of NEPA. As a While there are also some lesser fights, in trade publications such as Grassroots board member in the early 1990s, he the last two provide fuel to stop other Editor and Editor & Publisher , while also worked to establish dedicated seats on the states from trying to pass similar legisla - having his work reprinted in at least six board for four minority journalism associ - tion. Vermont dailies: the Burlington Free Press , ations. It was under the efforts by Ross The mandatory fees for legal costs in Rutland Herald , The Times Argus , Cale - that the New England Press Association public records cases has certainly helped donian Record (which is the closest com - began to include workshops at its annual influence the attitude of state and local peting daily), Bennington Banner , and convention that focused on the impor - government officials in Vermont in re - Brattleboro Reformer . His work also has tance of reporting about race and the sponding to requests for information. appeared in Yankee magazine, The Gard - need for diversity in newsrooms. They now know they may have to pay and ner (Mass.) News and the Lynn (Mass.) As a person serving on the NEPA board are less likely to withheld public records. I Item , among others. at the time, I can say the representatives noticed that our neighbor, New York, has In his efforts to sell The Hardwick for the African-American, the Native now moved in that direction recently. Gazette , Ross was committed to finding a American, the Asian-American and the Ross was a key figure as the Vermont new owner who recognized the impor - Hispanic-American press associations all Press Association rallied several groups, tance of community journalism. He was provided new and needed insight into our including Common Cause, ACLU, the committed to finding a person who would profession. Ross, who became NEPA pres - state private detectives, the Vermont Asso - maintain the newspaper as the important ident in 1996, understood early on the im - ciation of Broadcasters and others to 128-year-old institution it is rather than portance of having diverse backgrounds come to form VT-COG to fight for open viewing it as a commodity to be exploited and opinions in newspapers. Many of government and other issues. (These for a return on investment. The essay con - those friendships he made remain today. groups and others always seemed to be test he held in 2016 to find a new owner Ross was also a leader with the Ver - battling various bills over time and the generated worldwide media interest and mont Press Association, serving as presi - thought was to help each other out with brought attention to the reality that weekly dent for two terms, but also returning to the basic thought that “Good Government newspapers are and remain a critical part the board (and serving until 2016). Ross Begins with Open Government.”) While of democracy. has been a major figure when it comes to the group has struggled, we are able to While the contest did not draw enough legislative issues and taking time to go to rally when the First Amendment/Open entries, it did attract a New England cou - Montpelier. He has personally provided Government is attacked in Vermont. ple interested in carrying on the tradition crucial testimony about a wide range of that Ross and his wife did for several topics and also helped line up others to Other activities decades. testify. Some of the major accomplish - Ross served as a teaching fellow at Based on all that I have heard and read ments that Ross has played a key role are: Boston University (1981) while getting his about Eugene Cervi, Ross Connelly is a A five-year fight to get mandatory legal master’s degree in mass communication, perfect match for this award. For these fees when public records are improperly and at the University of Michigan (1972- and many more reasons, Ross Connelly withheld and a newspaper successfully 75) while a graduate student in the depart - would be a welcomed and positive nomi - sues. This is now part of a major overhaul ment of political science. nee for the Eugene Cervi Award.

25 grassroots editor • summer 2018

The Concord Kiddette and The Washington Post were the first newspapers to pay Ross Connelly for his work. He did not become a journalist, however, until many years passed after his association with them.

The Concord Kiddette newspaper and its staff were The sunset over Lake Champlain on an April day takes the chill out of the air for profiled in the Chester (Pennsylvania) Times in Ross Connelly. (Photo by Lane M. Dunn) 1955. Ross Connelly was the newspaper’s copyboy.

Ross Connelly (right) presents Dave Morse, the sports editor of The Hardwick Gazette from 1995-2015, a plaque in honor of his induction into the New Eng - land Press Association Hall of Fame in 2006. (Photo The editor’s desk at The Hardwick Gazette was probably similar to others around the courtesy of the New England Press Association) country. 26 grassroots editor • summer 2018

Ross Connelly and his late wife, Susan M. Jarzyna, welcomed fellow journal - ists and long-time ISWNE members Guy and Marcia Wood to Hardwick After changing careers into journalism, Ross Con - after the two couples met at the organi - nelly took the skills he developed as a sportswriter Articles by Ross Connelly appeared in a vari - zation’s 1996 conference in Boston. for the Daily Times and Chronicle in Wakefield, ety of magazine publications during his ca - (Photo courtesy of Guy and Marcia Mass., to become a feature columnist for the daily reer as a journalist. Wood) Transcript-Telegram in Holyoke, Mass.

27 grassroots editor • summer 2018 Eugene Cervi Award Winners

2018 Ross Connelly, The Hardwick Gazette, 1996 Charlotte & Marvin Schexnayder, Hardwick, Vermont Dumas (Arkansas) Clarion 2017 Bill Miller Sr., Washington Missourian, 1995 No award given Washington, Missouri 1994 Jim MacNeill, The Eastern Graphic, 2016 David Sommerlad, County Press NSW M. Buffington B. Meyer Montague, Prince Edward Island and County Press Australia, New South Wales, Australia 1993 Bob Bliss, The Montgomery County 2015 Mike Buffington, The Jackson Herald, News, Hillsboro, Illinois Jefferson, Georgia 1992 Robert Trapp, Rio Grande Sun, 2014 Dave Mitchell, Point Reyes Light, D. Mitchell Espanola, New Mexico Point Reyes Station, California 1991 Henry Gay, Shelton-Mason County 2013 William F. Schanen, Ozaukee Press, Journal, Shelton, Washington Port Washington, Wisconsin 1990 Karl Monroe, Collinsville (Illinois) Herald 2012 Tim L. Waltner, Feeman Courier, Freeman, South Dakota 1989 William Rotch, Milford (New Hampshire) Cabinet

2011 Jack Sigvaldason, Northern News 1988 Bruce Brugmann, San Francisco Bay Services, Northwest Territories Guardian

2010 Tom, Pat & Ben Gish, The Mountain 1987 James Russell Wiggins, Ellsworth Eagle, Whitesburg, Kentucky (Maine) American J. Sigvaldason R.Trapp 2009 Garrett Ray, Fort Collins, Colorado 1986 Rollin McCommons, Athens (Georgia) Observer 2008 Burt & Ursula Freireich, Litchfield Park, Arizona 1985 McDill (Huck) Boyd, Phillips County Review, Phillipsburg, Kansas 2007 Guy & Marcia Wood, Angel Fire, New Mexico 1984 Richard McCord, Santa Fe (New Mexico) 2006 No award given Reporter 2005 Frank Wood, De Pere, Wisconsin 1983 Homer Marcum, The Martin Countian, 2004 Frank Garred, The Port Townsend Leader, Inez, Kentucky Port Townsend, Washington 1982 Kieth Howard, Yellow Springs (Ohio) News 2003 Gary & Helen Sosniecki, The Lebanon Daily Record, Lebanon, Missouri 1981 Edward DeCourcy, Newport (New Hampshire) Argus Champion 2002 Bill Meyer, Marion County Record, Marion County, Kansas 1980 Robert Estabrook, Lakeville (Connecticut) 2001 Marg Hennigar, Lighthouse Publishing, Journal Lunenburg, Nova Scotia 1979 Houstoun Waring, Littleton (Colorado) 2000 Allan A. Seiler, The Pike Press, Independent Pittsfield, Illinois T. Leathers 1978 Tom Leathers, 1999 No award given The Squire, Kansas City, Missouri 1998 Jack Authelet, Foxboro (Massachetts) Reporter 1977 Charles & Virginia Russell, Dewitt County Observer, Clinton, Illinois 1997 Carol Wilcox & Cary Stiff, Clear Creek Courant, Idaho Springs, Colorado 1976 Blair Macy, Keene Valley Sun , F. Garred Kennesburg, Colorado H. Waring

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