Kenneth M. O’Brien
On February 9 a letter appeared in the Southbridge Evening News titled “Spinelli endorsed for Town Council”.
The author of that letter was Maureen Doyle.
On the same day, Gus Steeves, a reporter for the Southbridge Evening News, was conducting interviews with the candidates for Town Council, Larry Spinelli and Gary Fontaine.
What is notable about these two events is that Ms. Doyle and Mr. Steeves share a residence (i.e. they live together).Given this, one has to raise the question of the degree of objectivity that Mr. Steeves can be expected to exercise in reporting on these candidates.
Shouldn’t the paper, at the very least, provide a disclaimer alerting readers to this fact?
In addition, an email went out from a representative of the local teachers’ union endorsing candidate Spinelli. In this time of fiscal austerity I’m sure we can all appreciate the implications of such support.
Another set of interesting developments included the disappearance overnight of all Fontaine signs on South Street. Also, our own local version of Donald Segretti sent out a spate of anonymous letters making false and derogatory remarks about Mr. Fontaine’s character and record. I can only assume that the author sought anonymity out of fear of a lawsuit for libel.
It is time to show that these tactics will no longer be tolerated or rewarded.
Vote for Gary Fontaine for Town Councilor in Southbridge on February 15.
Mr. O'brian
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have a wife or girl friend, but I will give you some advice. Don't assume you can tell your girl friend or wife who to vote for or what to think or you will end up in the couch very lonely.
Ditto Ken,
ReplyDeleteMy husband doesn't tell me how to vote and vice versa. We have spirited conversations sometimes and don't always agree at the local or the national level and have different interests in mind in relationship to our jobs.I(I am very conscious of state funding for mine although only secondarily). I don't for the life of me believe that Mr. Steeves or The News need to provide a disclaimer.