Below are excerpts from commentary article by Craig Cox of Utne Reader in Saturday's Star Tribune. I found his lines about the interesting mayoral and council races a breath of fresh air. Too bad most people of this city won't really know or care about the election until at least after the filings in mid-July. Then maybe the paper will start to notice. Good mention of the neighborhood newspapers. And I must say that going on line to all of these publications has cut my recylcing at least in half or more which makes me feel better about all those trees that are made into paper pulp - for what purpose? Maybe some articles on Earth Day and Arbor Day events, the great Blooming Boulevards ceremonies held last weekend and all the great community festivals, parades and events which are upon us could provide some interesting live stories about the citizens of Minneapolis having fun and enjoying our beautiful city. Thanks Craig for the thoughts. ..."A good newspaper helps to set a community's agenda and provides the sort of "serious" coverage that allows its readers to make informed decisions. For the Star Tribune, that would mean noticing the most interesting Minneapolis mayoral and City Council races in a long time, and perhaps checking in with the Hennepin County Board and Minneapolis legislators once in a while. Or it might mean covering the local school board elections during a tumultuous time in public education. McGuire's line that the paper would "go out of business" if it didn't provide its readers with a "fun, useful and interesting" product is either flippant or disingenuous. (Where would those disaffected subscribers and advertisers go? City Pages? The Pioneer Press? Southwest Journal?) And it betrays a disturbing lack of confidence in his reporters' ability -- and willingness -- to deliver the news in a lively and readable form. I agree with McGuire that a newspaper has to offer more than just "serious" news, but I fear that his idea of "interesting" stories begins and ends with whatever Dan Barreiro or Sid Hartman or Mark Rosen is talking about on KFAN or 'CCO." Annie Young www.annieyoung.org Ward 6 - East Phillips in Minneapolis Citywide at-large Park Board Commissioner Working to build a sustainable community _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
