In today’s Albany Herald, the editorial contains the following paragraphs:
And those negatives will have to be overcome through a concerted, honest effort. Economic Development Commission Chairman Bobby McKinney noted that those who are promoting Albany are being “out-blogged” on the Internet by detractors.
Some new – and old – media are suspect in the way they cloak opinion as fact and attempt to draw attention and a sense of self-importance to themselves. But the best approach to creating an accurate picture of the community is not to worry about the unfairness, but to acknowledge the blemishes and aggressively point out the many good qualities of Albany and Dougherty County.
Now, the mentions of new media and blogging leaves me with one inescapable conclusion: They’re talking about us.
However, they’re missing something here. We “detractors” aren’t detracting Albany. Personally, I’ve been detracting what I perceive as a waste of money toward certain parts of town in an effort to make them something they aren’t rather than embracing what the market has given them and work with that. However, if they are talking about us (and I’ll be the first to admit that there may be some other blog out there that they’re talking about other than us…but I haven’t heard of it), then maybe they should think about something for just a second.
You see, I’m just a guy who has live in Albany for the vast majority of my life. I’m a smart guy, but not a genius. I have a family and feel I’m representative of a significant portion of Albany’s citizenry. And, despite the Heralds comments to the contrary, anything and everything you read is probably my opinion unless I’m drawing from another source…and I tell you when I do that. But my opinion does matter…as should every citizens. It’s not self importance, it’s expecting to be taken seriously as a taxpayer.
The idea of “we’re all in this together” is fine and dandy, and I don’t mean any sarcasm. However, will that be how it really works? Or will it translate to “shut up and do what we say”? I ask, because that’s what usually happens. If we’re all in this together, and I think ultimately we are, then perhaps it’s time to at least give some discussion to ideas that didn’t spring forth from these supposed “leaders” who are complaining about being “out-blogged”.
Blogs only can function because people read and listen to what is said. If we, or any blog, is “out-blogging” these leaders then perhaps they haven’t been able to convince people that there way is right. Now, they can always assume that those who are unconvinced are so because of a mental deficiency, but that wouldn’t be very productive, now would it? How about just trying to convince us with facts that this is the right way?
I find no fault with the great parts of Albany that the Herald mentions in their editorial. Those are great things. But without efforts to clean up all the rest, the things I’ve focused on which apparently label me as a “detractor”, they’re not worth spit in helping Albany move forward. If these leaders believe otherwise, then give me a shout. Our contact page will send me an email. Just ask for me and give me a phone number and a name and I’ll be happy to arrange something. I’ll give you the chance.
But don’t expect me just to go along because you want it. If you want a community of sheep, that’s great. But it ain’t gonna happen while I’m living here.
They’re just jealous that your website draws more readers than their newspaper. All they do is boot-lick the powers that be.
Charles,
In their defense, they have about 35K readers per week. We’re nowhere near that – yet. We just happen to be good at rattling cages.
That may be. It definitely looks like we continue to ruffle a few feathers. And to think that I was getting burned out because I didn’t think I was making a difference. Thanks Albany Herald
I should also mention – since the Albany Journal appears to be their target with the “old” media part in that quote – that Lon McNeil has a great piece in this week’s Journal about growth in central Albany (in the area around the intersection of Slappey/Dawson/Pine) fueled not by retail or government, but by businessmen making smart decisions for their businesses.
Grab a copy of the Journal this week at all area newsstands – in addition to that piece from Lon, a couple of the posts from this site were picked up, and I have a new letter to the editor regarding my campaign as well!
.So as to not repeat myself, I would point out this comment on a parallel thread. the simple numbers do not lie.
http://swgapolitics.com/index/2009/10/27/not-my-loved-one/#comment-6110
Albany needs specific solutions, not generalized rah rah approaches that discourage honest comment. Sure leadership must generate energy and enthusiasm for progress, but there must be substance behind it, not an empty promise or empty method. People will be discouraged mighty quickly when they sense a lack of real direction and an effective plan.
I bought into this turnaround early, and never fathomed how shallow and devisive and self-absorbed the “support” really was. The business world sees through this smoke. I was naive.
Yes, the Herald is correct. We must look at the positive and have hope for the future. But it also misses the point that there must be real substance behind the rhetoric. There are real problems to take into account.
A central reality is that Albany will not have any chance to climb out of this slide without a major change in its political leadership. After that, if the administration does not respond to new effective political leadership, that too needs an overhaul.
But it all begins at the very top of this city.
EVERY organization ANYWHERE overcomes this level of adversity and challenge has highly effective leadership at the helm. If those in “leadership” in Albany cannot honestly claim such effectiveness at the level needed to deal with today’s realities, out of respect for the citizens of this community, they should resign…now! so that others can be recruited to lead the charge. And if they do not see it this way, those around them should have the decency and guts to sit them down and explain it to them.
And if you do not think that leadership is the first key, what are we waiting for? Have at it now. Where is the change? Where is the charge?
(btw…responding with another attack guest editorial is not an acceptable response.)
Jeff, I don’t know how you talley “readers” but the Herald circulation is about 20K. In my youth, the paid circulation was 35K so it is “on the downs” shall we say.
Anyway, if those leading want folks to understand all the good things going on and great plans for the future, tell us “what it is”. I can’t figure it out and need some help, pls.
After all, we are all in this together.
Bobby Ray:
I was asking them about their ad rates for my campaign a couple of weeks ago, and the sheet they gave me with their circulation numbers had a height of roughly 35K – all throughout SWGA. Their Weds edition along hits more than 5K in the Lee/Sumter area (but suffice it to say that the Lee County Ledger and Albany Journal are much more economical on their ad rates).
So far, this site has hit a peak of right at 30K in a month, with an average closer to 15K/month. We measure that using a WordPress.org app called WP-Stats.
If they say so Jeff. They are not listed with the Audit Bureau of Circulation best I can tell. Must be self-certified numbers.
After research, I am delighted to see that the Herald circulation is bucking the national downward trend–and going up. In December 1996, a Newspaper Association of America article showed the Herald’s circulation was 32,964.
So, the Herald must have gained about 2,000 circulation in the past 12 years. Meanwhile, the big papers lost close to half their circulation during the same period. To me. this indicates there is still a thriving “print” market in the smaller cities. This is good news since I like the “hard copy”.
Hats off to the Herald!
I guess I was exaggerating about the readership, but don’t underestimate the power of this website.
Some of the old guard “journalists” feel threatened that they no longer have a monopoly on “truth” in the community.
You guys should be applauded, not condemned, for giving a voice to the voiceless.
There are some good journalists like Carlton Fletcher.
But consider these remarks from the AH editorial:
“Some new – and old – media are suspect in the way they cloak opinion as fact and attempt to draw attention and a sense of self-importance to themselves.”
What a hypocritical, self-righteous, and arrogant statement. Isn’t any journalist trying to draw attention to himself when he writes an article or column?
As far as “a sense of self-importance,” I consider every decent individual and his opinion to be important. His worth is not based upon what some elitist editor thinks!
Well spoken, Charles.
I was stunned by the editorial when I first read it. I can’t believe it was the whole “editorial board” that contributed to it (unless the EB is really a fiction)…one person was in a mood that day.
I also see this kind of comment as further indication of being in a relatively small, no-growth, not-laid-back pond with limited revenues to go around and few concrete prospects for the future.
(I do like the Herald’s progress on its website)
btw….speaking of blogging, I’m not sure if I already wrote this, but I’m not a fan of the login as well as the wait for approval. If someone takes the time to register and you get a ping from the email address, that gives some assurance that we will not have our sensibilities bombarded with profanity, porn, libel or far too leftist views.
Peter,
You have a valid point about the login and comment moderation. I’ll wait until Tom sees this to do it, but I’m thinking we can go to a similar system PP has of once you register and we approve your first comment, all others are unmoderated after that. We can always go back to the current system if people start abusing it – it literally takes about two clicks on our end to change it either way.
The changes have been made, but keep in mind that anyone can register and I get nothing saying that it’s a valid email address. Frankly, I don’t know if you guys have to confirm your email address or not…I don’t think you do though.
As for being bombarded with profanity, libel or leftists views, this new way doesn’t prevent that in the least. All it will do is permit someone to get through once and then we have to police the comments after they’re up. This means that the new latitude should not be taken advantage of.
Everyone knows the rules. No personal attacks, no walls of text as comments. So long as they’re followed, then it’s all good.