Local Races and the Press

This may be fun. I’d like to offer another perspective to Morning Call Bill White’s column about local candidates and races. So here goes: My own absence of local candidate’s debate.

The local newspapers have been complaining about the lack of candidates in the upcoming Primary races. In fact, there are even school boards without enough candidates to fill open seats. Yes, this is a real problem. Ever hopeful, I believe there are folks who will step-up to the plate and mount write-in campaigns.

Non-incumbents run for local offices with various degrees of success. As one of them, I know first hand that one of the toughest aspects of running for local office is getting press coverage, any press coverage.

The Morning call, (yes I am challenging the Morning Call’s coverage) provides good coverage of incumbents. Incumbents have a convenient platform to express opinions - there they sit, IN office. Why is it so hard to ask candidates their opinions on critical issues? Many times, reporters and candidates are only feet apart - in the same room - at a municipal meeting.

So, who has filled the void of covering local races? Bloggers! Bill White has stated most of the bloggers lack the skill sets of a journalist to create creditable news. On March 19, 2009, he wrote, “Still, they don't have the readership, journalistic training or resources that we do at the Valley's largest newspaper. Our responsibility as a watchdog is indispensable to our mission, which is one reason you should hope we don't disappear, even if you're mad at me or the paper in general” I will give Bill this point. However, in the void of Fourth Estate news about local races, interested voters will seek out more information. This is precisely where bloggers play a vital role.

Most new candidates are lucky to get seven to nine lines in some general article covering a specific local race. Okay, the County and Judge candidate’s get lots of coverage, but coverage for local races in the townships and boroughs is limited at best. And, in some case the coverage has been non-existent.

Here is my challenge to the Morning Call editorial board: Give the local candidates on-going opportunities to comment on critical issues facing their municipalities. Ask them questions! I am sure they will be more than happy to provide their views on the issues.

Whether the candidate is challenger or incumbent, it will, at the very least, give voters a better understanding of candidates’ positions. Informed voters are better voters are they not?

Get Involved! Every Vote Counts!