All fair questions...
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:11 am
All fair questions...
Hopefully these are some answers.
The paper, articles are submitted through the member center: http://lakewoodobserver.com/members from there they are looked over by the editor and sent off to the editor that either has background in the subject or has been assigned to that writer.
From there they the editor confers if needed with the writer and helps to get the story where it is ready for publication.
From their it goes to Lakewood resident Brian Simko, to drop into the paper based on his design skills, and notes from the editors or writers. It is also married to any photos and other media. Then sent off to the printer.
There is very little editorial control placed on these stories or the paper outside of what Dan Slife thinks is necessary. Stories that might be seen as problematic, are shared with the writer and possibly but not always the person the story might be about.
Some stories are held back based on space, advertising, and layout. You cannot add one page to a paper it is in multiples of 4. so sometimes it makes no sense or is impossible to add 4 pages for one story.
The writers are always notified if and why a story did not make it to print.
---------
The Observation Deck, is a completely different beast as it is live 24/7/365. There we tend to take the mosh pit of life approach. Our biggest goal is to make sure all that are posting are real live individuals. This is handled through various means that seem to be working.
From that point on it has always been our belief that if you have used a real name, then you are accepting the responsibility of the post, both legal and otherwise. While one of the purposes of the editorial staff is to check facts and make sure submitters are not embarrassed by grammar mistakes, the Observation Deck has no such safety net. You are what you post and you are framed by those thoughts, words and actions.
Over the past four years a couple occasions have arisen where "objectionable material" has been posted. While not illegal, at least one or more people have contacted DL, Jim, or myself to raise concern or an objection. In almost every case the poster in then notified and appeals or concerns addressed, and it lays in the hands of that poster to remove or not remove. We have never, to my knowledge, had a poster say no when viewed in a larger picture of the state of the Deck.
In the recent case of the "dead child video" DL thought it was so wrong that she removed it without speaking with Rick. I am sure this will be addressed at out next Advisory Board meeting. However in the end, these decisions rest with the heads of each section of the project. Dan with the paper, DL/Jim DeVito with the Deck, Ruthie with Lakewood Cares, and Myself with Lakewood Business/Shopping Experience. As they give the time, they deserve that amount of control.
LakewoodCares recently put up as a FREE place for all churches and non-profits to post information, and receive and develop FREE websites. Each group as they sign on are free to develop their program as they see fit. We believe each group understand that it is in their best interest to police themselves.
Lakewood Business Experience, A FREE business directory that only requires that a business signs on and be in Lakewood. It has a nominal fee if they are outside of Lakewood.
The Lakewood Observer Advisory Board - If I may be so bold. The last board was constructed out fo a group of individuals that had skills to bring to the table, and were willing to set their personal beliefs aside for the good of the project. This does not mean, they were not allowed to have their own opinions and voice them. In fact the opposite was encouraged. If you the reader/user does not understand where we stand on issues, it leaves huge gaps in our credibility, that we saw as flaws in current reporting. All we asked is that they never let their agendas or thoughts stop the openness of the project. The theory, one seat, one name, one voice.
The new advisory board is being assembled slowly as this time the problems are far different. In the past we had to worry about start up and funding. These worries have all but gone away. Production solid, advertising solid. This time the thoughts are being more inclusive, being more open, and try to reach into pockets of the community we have not yet energized. That way we can once again prove our transparency that has been evident to many that have taken the time since day one.
We are also reaching deep into the professional world of journalism and bringing some real notables onboard, that are professional writers, publishers and journalists. These people have been attracted to the project and have voiced concerns with solutions, that have made them stand out as perfect choices for AB V2.
The original list was compiled by this board, and interviews are slowly being handled by other board members that did not suggest them. The short list will be brought together, and a meeting will be had.
As this project is definitely open to all, and as we have watched the progress of others with our software, we had decided that the next board should be able to define their purpose and cause. This will insure that the old board is not merely replacing heads, but turning the entire project over to other members of the community that care and have a vested interest. After a heated debate, it was decided that this would be the best way to handle it.
All of our public meetings are open to the public. Certainly anyone could sit in on a Lakewood Observer Advisory Board meeting when they happen, but mostly they happen online. However the new board may have completely different views on that as well.
The ownership of the Lakewood Observer. This was owned completely by Debra and James O'Bryan. Since that time it has become owned by vested members in the project, and we are hoping to completely divest it of "ownership" in so much as either forming a new group, turning it into a non-profit, or turning it over to one of many possible other non-profits in the city to manage.
No one on the advisory board ever looked to own or control any part of this project. From day one we all knew to succeed, it had to be turned over to others, and start a legacy of community owned and fairness. To my knowledge, no one has ever strayed from this concept for their own gains or agendas.
The only thing the board has universally backed was the school levy, and that was only after we thought it would fail, and together thought that would be a terrible blow to the city.
In actuality, the board has almost never agreed on anything, outside of the project, the mission statement and the school levy.
I am sure some will object to this post.
So be it.
I hope this answers some of the questions that Suzanne and others have raised, as this whole project moves into a new arena with all new advisors, this will be exciting. Or maybe not!
.
Hopefully these are some answers.
The paper, articles are submitted through the member center: http://lakewoodobserver.com/members from there they are looked over by the editor and sent off to the editor that either has background in the subject or has been assigned to that writer.
From there they the editor confers if needed with the writer and helps to get the story where it is ready for publication.
From their it goes to Lakewood resident Brian Simko, to drop into the paper based on his design skills, and notes from the editors or writers. It is also married to any photos and other media. Then sent off to the printer.
There is very little editorial control placed on these stories or the paper outside of what Dan Slife thinks is necessary. Stories that might be seen as problematic, are shared with the writer and possibly but not always the person the story might be about.
Some stories are held back based on space, advertising, and layout. You cannot add one page to a paper it is in multiples of 4. so sometimes it makes no sense or is impossible to add 4 pages for one story.
The writers are always notified if and why a story did not make it to print.
---------
The Observation Deck, is a completely different beast as it is live 24/7/365. There we tend to take the mosh pit of life approach. Our biggest goal is to make sure all that are posting are real live individuals. This is handled through various means that seem to be working.
From that point on it has always been our belief that if you have used a real name, then you are accepting the responsibility of the post, both legal and otherwise. While one of the purposes of the editorial staff is to check facts and make sure submitters are not embarrassed by grammar mistakes, the Observation Deck has no such safety net. You are what you post and you are framed by those thoughts, words and actions.
Over the past four years a couple occasions have arisen where "objectionable material" has been posted. While not illegal, at least one or more people have contacted DL, Jim, or myself to raise concern or an objection. In almost every case the poster in then notified and appeals or concerns addressed, and it lays in the hands of that poster to remove or not remove. We have never, to my knowledge, had a poster say no when viewed in a larger picture of the state of the Deck.
In the recent case of the "dead child video" DL thought it was so wrong that she removed it without speaking with Rick. I am sure this will be addressed at out next Advisory Board meeting. However in the end, these decisions rest with the heads of each section of the project. Dan with the paper, DL/Jim DeVito with the Deck, Ruthie with Lakewood Cares, and Myself with Lakewood Business/Shopping Experience. As they give the time, they deserve that amount of control.
LakewoodCares recently put up as a FREE place for all churches and non-profits to post information, and receive and develop FREE websites. Each group as they sign on are free to develop their program as they see fit. We believe each group understand that it is in their best interest to police themselves.
Lakewood Business Experience, A FREE business directory that only requires that a business signs on and be in Lakewood. It has a nominal fee if they are outside of Lakewood.
The Lakewood Observer Advisory Board - If I may be so bold. The last board was constructed out fo a group of individuals that had skills to bring to the table, and were willing to set their personal beliefs aside for the good of the project. This does not mean, they were not allowed to have their own opinions and voice them. In fact the opposite was encouraged. If you the reader/user does not understand where we stand on issues, it leaves huge gaps in our credibility, that we saw as flaws in current reporting. All we asked is that they never let their agendas or thoughts stop the openness of the project. The theory, one seat, one name, one voice.
The new advisory board is being assembled slowly as this time the problems are far different. In the past we had to worry about start up and funding. These worries have all but gone away. Production solid, advertising solid. This time the thoughts are being more inclusive, being more open, and try to reach into pockets of the community we have not yet energized. That way we can once again prove our transparency that has been evident to many that have taken the time since day one.
We are also reaching deep into the professional world of journalism and bringing some real notables onboard, that are professional writers, publishers and journalists. These people have been attracted to the project and have voiced concerns with solutions, that have made them stand out as perfect choices for AB V2.
The original list was compiled by this board, and interviews are slowly being handled by other board members that did not suggest them. The short list will be brought together, and a meeting will be had.
As this project is definitely open to all, and as we have watched the progress of others with our software, we had decided that the next board should be able to define their purpose and cause. This will insure that the old board is not merely replacing heads, but turning the entire project over to other members of the community that care and have a vested interest. After a heated debate, it was decided that this would be the best way to handle it.
All of our public meetings are open to the public. Certainly anyone could sit in on a Lakewood Observer Advisory Board meeting when they happen, but mostly they happen online. However the new board may have completely different views on that as well.
The ownership of the Lakewood Observer. This was owned completely by Debra and James O'Bryan. Since that time it has become owned by vested members in the project, and we are hoping to completely divest it of "ownership" in so much as either forming a new group, turning it into a non-profit, or turning it over to one of many possible other non-profits in the city to manage.
No one on the advisory board ever looked to own or control any part of this project. From day one we all knew to succeed, it had to be turned over to others, and start a legacy of community owned and fairness. To my knowledge, no one has ever strayed from this concept for their own gains or agendas.
The only thing the board has universally backed was the school levy, and that was only after we thought it would fail, and together thought that would be a terrible blow to the city.
In actuality, the board has almost never agreed on anything, outside of the project, the mission statement and the school levy.
I am sure some will object to this post.
So be it.
I hope this answers some of the questions that Suzanne and others have raised, as this whole project moves into a new arena with all new advisors, this will be exciting. Or maybe not!
.