I thought more about this question over night and I still don't have a good answer to this. I think you are right and I am right.
I've learned a lot about journalism doing this (I'm writing a book actually) and one of the hardest decisions is deciding when to run a story. Every story, no matter what, has unknowns and you have to evaluate …
I thought more about this question over night and I still don't have a good answer to this. I think you are right and I am right.
I've learned a lot about journalism doing this (I'm writing a book actually) and one of the hardest decisions is deciding when to run a story. Every story, no matter what, has unknowns and you have to evaluate the tradeoffs and context. In this context, D65 has a budget that is totally on fire and a big meeting in September to discuss new financial controls.
I actually think, had I waited until after the meeting, this story would be more likely what you describe - moot and much less newsworthy. But getting it out before the meeting gives the public and the Board (who are readers) information to make decisions and have conversations.
The problem to me, is that a FOIA request takes 2-5 weeks to get resolution. Next meeting is Sept 3. So, there was really no chance to get a FOIA filled before then, so I hit publish - I felt like I had enough information to run this.
Should people be speculating in the comments about Horton? I don't know - I don't really regulate my comment section like the RT or Evanston Now does, so people are free to say what they want (myself included) within some boundaries I've established. I think I have the most liberal comment section policy in Evanston, and that includes the RT, EN and the litany of facebook groups. I think that's a good thing.
Through the lens of trying to foster (see what I did there) the conversations ahead of some big upcoming meetings next month, publishing it now does make plenty of sense. Hopefully you've inspired the financial sub-committee to dig deeper on this issue.
The primary FB group is so frustrating. So much gate-keeping, spin, deflection, etc. Some of the shit that gets called out is valid, but there's a lot of unnecessary trolling, and the admins/moderators don't seem objective enough to help build some sense of community.
I thought more about this question over night and I still don't have a good answer to this. I think you are right and I am right.
I've learned a lot about journalism doing this (I'm writing a book actually) and one of the hardest decisions is deciding when to run a story. Every story, no matter what, has unknowns and you have to evaluate the tradeoffs and context. In this context, D65 has a budget that is totally on fire and a big meeting in September to discuss new financial controls.
I actually think, had I waited until after the meeting, this story would be more likely what you describe - moot and much less newsworthy. But getting it out before the meeting gives the public and the Board (who are readers) information to make decisions and have conversations.
The problem to me, is that a FOIA request takes 2-5 weeks to get resolution. Next meeting is Sept 3. So, there was really no chance to get a FOIA filled before then, so I hit publish - I felt like I had enough information to run this.
Should people be speculating in the comments about Horton? I don't know - I don't really regulate my comment section like the RT or Evanston Now does, so people are free to say what they want (myself included) within some boundaries I've established. I think I have the most liberal comment section policy in Evanston, and that includes the RT, EN and the litany of facebook groups. I think that's a good thing.
Through the lens of trying to foster (see what I did there) the conversations ahead of some big upcoming meetings next month, publishing it now does make plenty of sense. Hopefully you've inspired the financial sub-committee to dig deeper on this issue.
The primary FB group is so frustrating. So much gate-keeping, spin, deflection, etc. Some of the shit that gets called out is valid, but there's a lot of unnecessary trolling, and the admins/moderators don't seem objective enough to help build some sense of community.
Yes and I appreciate all your comments on this thread! And for that pun, I'd like to award you FOIA GRAS Commenter of the Month!