Gazette Contributor Vera Wright
May 8, 2018-It’s business as usual. Candidates in northwest Indiana elections are barely mentioned in State news agencies, especially primaries. Then there is the usual business of the NWI times editorials: little coverage on first time candidates but continual coverage on a select few , especially if in favor of imagined benefits of redevelopment. The amount of challengers in the primary is encouraging when you consider their community involvement, experience that will benefit all areas, and accomplishments- but articles were hard to come by.
“We all should put would-be elected officials on notice that substance — not frivolous distractions or underhanded politics — rules the day.” Thats from a NWI Times editorial March 12th of this year. Yet their editorials were often filled with distractions.
Legal actions of candidates cannot be ignored but journalistic ethics demands accuracy. Omitting public records on certain candidates borders ignorance- they are public for a reason. It is one thing to endorse a candidate on their record of service and community responsibility . It is another to incessantly include an elected official’s court record as the measuring stick for all endorsements.
Thankfully social media and citizen journalism has taken up the responsibility to keep the community informed. Live streaming of public meetings encourages discussion in real time- Facebook pages dedicated to NWI News, Real Deal, Citizens Groups all fill a void.
Editorials can describe a proposed landfill as pristine and clean and golly maybe a great place to hold a wedding, while ignoring the fact Rep. Earl Harris HB1318 sole purpose was to remove the 1/2 mile setback between landfills and dwellings only for Gary. He was against the amendment to make it all of Lake County as that would cause too much outrage from other legislators and their constituents. (A similar bill was in 2017 would remove setback only for East Chicago- but Harris wrote amendment to remove East Chicago. His constituents are in Gary and East Chicago .)
Yet when Eldon Strong raised concerns as demolition debris from contaminated East Chicago Housing Complex went to Lowell, this was dismissed as crying wolf. Strong was dismissed for endorsement because he voted against removing Councilman Washington during allegations and possible court cases.
James Nowacki embraces opportunity for public comment at Lake County Council Meetings, Gary Common Council and RDA (when they actually have meetings). NWI headlines him as a scofflaw, little else.
LaVetta Sparks Wade’s public record in Gary Common Council speaks for itself. Her due diligence on public contracts, knowledge of city and county ordinances, and her presence throughout the county in community endeavors is encouraging. Male editors need to sit down and not speculate on her personal life.
Challenger Rosa Rodriquez for years has advocated throughout the Region on Jobs, Unions, Stopping For Profit Prisons, Immigration Rights. In most communities if a candidate was not invited to Political Party’s public forum that would merit at least a mention in editorial’s recap. Twice she was left off of candidate lists and denied opportunity to address voters. Subsequent articles continued the omission.
Other odd Times endorsements? Yancy over Elsie Franklin. Yancy has merit no doubt- but seriously Times these are your reasons against Franklin? “In recent years, Franklin has missed more than a year’s worth of council meetings because of health concerns. She also seems to lack any sophisticated grasp of county finance”.
Speaking of a sophisticated grasp- the glowing column on Sheriff Martinez choice of Michael Zenk as new warden Lake County jail failed to include his years of employment in management positions of Private Prison Industry and pending litigation.
The responsibility of the press is to inform the community. Bias can never be eliminated, but it cannot be the standard.
As you cast your vote make it an informed decision. Will the candidate work to enhance our community, will they publicly invite dialog and discussion, and will they consider all their constituents?
In war, you can only be killed once, but in politics, many times.
Winston Churchill