Ray Clark's reporting on Town meeting
On May 5, 2006, Ray Clark wrote:
Example #1 Town Departments were told by the Town Council to submit two budgets for next year: a flat budget no higher than last years (except for energy costs) and a "bare-bones" budget, presumably even lower than last year.
BiasBust #1: This is false. Departments were told to prepare a zero-based budget along with a business case that justified any increases or new programs.
BiasBust #2: The word presumably does not belong in a news article. It is up to the reporter to verify the statement for the very reason that words like presumably shouldn't have to be used. Secondly, it is an opinion word, chosen by the author, and it belongs in an editorial.
Example #2: from the same article: The Warrant asks citizens to approve taking $200,000 to pay for renovation to the Gray Public Library's basement. However, an architectural firm estimated that bringing the space to code would cost upwards of a half-million dollars. The Council has not said how it intends to proceed.
BiasBust #1: Mr. Clark does not reveal that the architectural firm was not a town sponsored firm nor was its report solicited by the town. It was paid for by an outside entity, The Gray Public Library Association (GPLA.)
BiasBust #2: Mr. Clark does not reveal that the GPLA put extra things in the report that the Council had never intended to do. Those extras made the renovation more expensive.
BiasBust #3: Mr. Clark does not tell the reader that he was recently part of the GPLA as an officer, nor that he still is a library Trustee. His failure to reveal his associations with and personal interest in the subject on which he is reporting imediately dissolves his credibility.
BiasBust #4: The last statement is false. The Council has been very clear on how it intends to proceed. They want to sell the Post Office for $200,000, use the proceeds to renovate the library downstairs, and publicly discussed the scope of work for that renovation. They also said that it would be up to the GPLA to add furniture, shelving, and decorations.
BiasBuster
Example #1 Town Departments were told by the Town Council to submit two budgets for next year: a flat budget no higher than last years (except for energy costs) and a "bare-bones" budget, presumably even lower than last year.
BiasBust #1: This is false. Departments were told to prepare a zero-based budget along with a business case that justified any increases or new programs.
BiasBust #2: The word presumably does not belong in a news article. It is up to the reporter to verify the statement for the very reason that words like presumably shouldn't have to be used. Secondly, it is an opinion word, chosen by the author, and it belongs in an editorial.
Example #2: from the same article: The Warrant asks citizens to approve taking $200,000 to pay for renovation to the Gray Public Library's basement. However, an architectural firm estimated that bringing the space to code would cost upwards of a half-million dollars. The Council has not said how it intends to proceed.
BiasBust #1: Mr. Clark does not reveal that the architectural firm was not a town sponsored firm nor was its report solicited by the town. It was paid for by an outside entity, The Gray Public Library Association (GPLA.)
BiasBust #2: Mr. Clark does not reveal that the GPLA put extra things in the report that the Council had never intended to do. Those extras made the renovation more expensive.
BiasBust #3: Mr. Clark does not tell the reader that he was recently part of the GPLA as an officer, nor that he still is a library Trustee. His failure to reveal his associations with and personal interest in the subject on which he is reporting imediately dissolves his credibility.
BiasBust #4: The last statement is false. The Council has been very clear on how it intends to proceed. They want to sell the Post Office for $200,000, use the proceeds to renovate the library downstairs, and publicly discussed the scope of work for that renovation. They also said that it would be up to the GPLA to add furniture, shelving, and decorations.
BiasBuster
posted by Gray Maine at
7:20 PM
14 Comments:
You will have no shortage of material. The gn has done these things ever since Clark came. It does not speak well for people of Gray that tolerate it and are blind to it.
By
Anonymous, at 7:10 PM
hopefully this site will shed some light on the issues around their bias and show beyond doubt that they are BAD at what they do
By
Anonymous, at 7:15 PM
This is the funniest thing I've ever seen. I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
BWG then Liz then Batgirl, go to it biasbusteer.
By
Anonymous, at 7:40 PM
BiasBuster is already going to it. Fortunately the Gray News provides endless opportunity for material, as the first anonymous noted.
And guess what! It'll get funnier. Every Friday when Ray Clark writes something.
By
Anonymous, at 7:54 PM
It didn't take you long to get a reaction from batgirl, BiasBuster! They're so easy.
By
Anonymous, at 7:56 PM
Goes to prove how sick Elizabeth Prata really is ... and how low she will grovel to get attention
Was it because she had nothing else to do on MOTHER's Day... but create more hate and division for our town?
Sick sick woman---so so sad :-(
By
Anonymous, at 9:19 PM
She is completely attention starved
Going deeper and deeper into her own dispair
By
Anonymous, at 9:20 PM
She reacted the same way on EASTER SUNDAY... loneliness must make her crazy with hate
By
Anonymous, at 9:22 PM
Elizabeth does not run this blog. I do. I'm not EP but I do like her and I do not like the other blogs. I thought it was time for some truth around here.
By
Anonymous, at 4:29 AM
above from: Biasbuster
By
Anonymous, at 4:30 AM
I do not see hate here. Only facts. I like that, especially the neutral tone of it.
By
Anonymous, at 5:24 AM
sooo, anonymous 5:57 a.m., not that I mind being called a hate monger first thing in the morning, but what's your input on the topic?
By
Anonymous, at 5:35 AM
Well, yes, truth. Check the DVD where Upham did explain his reasons for reading the whole section of the ordinance. That cannot be denied. Or the minutes of the meeting when Pam apologized for the illegal meeting at which Ray Clark participated. Also not possible to deny. Or get Denise Duda's letter explaining why she broke up the illegal Trustee meeting. Not opinion, they are supported by objective documents. That is called "truth."
I welcome a comment on the postings. What do you disagree with in Example 1 or Example 2?
By
Anonymous, at 7:21 AM
The Truth will Set You Free; but its revelation can be a little painful..Right Ray!!
By
Anonymous, at 7:27 AM
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