Journal Express, Knoxville, IA

Editorials

February 11, 2010

In the House of Wood

Catching up

Knoxville — This is an extreme disappointment to me, but the trade show at the Iowa Newspaper Association convention was sponsored by the Iowa Gaming Association and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

INA Executive Director Chris Mudge explained to me that sponsorship is necessary to keep costs down for attendees. IDED’s interest was in the advanced technology and growth of the newspaper industry in Iowa.

I’m in favor of helping my industry, but it bothers me to see the taxpayers footing the bill at a time of budget cuts and the current scrutiny IDED is under. What kind of message does that send?

Here is the text of the letter I am sending to the INA board members:



Dear Board Member,

I always look forward to the Iowa Newspaper Association convention each year. It offers a tremendous opportunity to meet fellow industry colleagues to share ideas, concerns and solutions.

However, I believe the 2010 event was tainted. When I saw the welcome sign with the phrase, “Sponsored by the Iowa Department of Economic Development,” my heart sank.

It is our job to be watchdogs. How can we do this properly when we gleefully accepted what is essentially public funding from the very people we are supposed to watch?

This is even more disturbing, given the recent allegations tied to the Iowa Film Office, a division of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. What kind of an example does this set if the defenders of the public trust are tied to those who have betrayed it?

A majority of your members, Iowa’s small-town newspapers, have survived this recession as we have for decades. However, for those larger ones who are struggling, why compound the problem and increase suspicion of our industry by allying ourselves in this way?

I believe in the newspaper industry. I know what we are supposed to stand for and this is not it. Our job is to be on the outside of government, not a subsidized extension of it. I hope you will consider this in the future. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Steve Woodhouse

Editor, Knoxville Journal-Express



The good news is we won another award last Friday. The article I wrote about the support Knoxville showed Pastor Jim Mead and his family during a difficult time is one I was very pleased to write. As I explained to Jim at the time, I believe his recovery is a miracle and I don’t know how many true miracles I’ll ever have the opportunity to write about.

In the years I’ve attended the INA convention, it seemed as though the Best News Story award winners were about negative subjects. In fact, the top prize went to a guy who wrote about a robbery sentencing. I wanted to check to see if it was possible for a story with a happy ending and positive theme to win. It did and that’s awesome.

Finally, Sunday is Valentine’s Day. I want to send some love out to my lady, Marcy. As I’ve mentioned, I have the good fortune of being married to a spectacular woman, one who does not care about the hype around Valentine’s Day. Nevertheless, happy Valentine’s Day, Marcy.

Take care of yourself and thank you for reading.

Text Only
Editorials
  • In the House of Wood

    If there is any hope of Iowa having two viable political parties, there need to be some changes made to the Iowa Republican Party's leadership. 

    January 26, 2012

  • Another View

    It just so happened this week that the holiday honoring Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. fell on the very night the Rural History Buffs were honoring our own history – a story-filled event at Peace Tree Brewery. 

    January 19, 2012

  • In the House of Wood

    I know I’m probably going to get hammered for this, but this question has been nagging at me all week. 

    January 13, 2012

  • In the House of Wood

    December 30, 2011

  • Another View

    I got caught again.  I tend to take on too much, and at Christmas it really catches me.  

    December 22, 2011

  • In the House of Wood

    I am so tired of so-called “journalists” and ohter media personalities neglecting to tell the truth about religion, Christmas and our government. So, here’s my attempt at trying to set the record straight. 

    December 19, 2011

  • Another View

    Yes, it seems like bad times. We have 535 supposedly grown-up people in Congress and they can’t create jobs or fix the deficit.  One third of us live in poverty; over eight percent of us are out of work; and we have the worst green house gas emissions in history.  On and on.  Most of us could think of even more bad news.

    December 10, 2011

  • In the House of Wood

    In her addresses to her party at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Saturday night, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky sounded more like a commanding drill sergeant than a political activist. Everything she told the members of her party sounded more like an order than anything else. 

    November 22, 2011

  • In the House of Wood

    First of all, I want to congratulate Liz Mathis on her election to the State Senate in District 18. Her election gives me hope for the 2012 session within the Senate. 

    November 10, 2011

  • Another View

    Yes, I know it’s early for Thanksgiving.  But it’s never too early to give thanks.  I’m writing today about a certain thankfulness that wells up in me from time to time. 

    November 10, 2011

Features
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore. Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Facebook
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Poll

Do you think Mitt Romney will definitely have the Republican Presidential Nomination?

Yes
No
     View Results