Yes…you will probably bring up the they-use-our-tax-dollars thing. Perhaps they do to varying degrees, but you could probably find some small way in which even the Register Star benefits from public funds. A specious argument all the way around. They are private organizations and not covered by the sunshine laws, period.

And just as with your editorial board, doesn’t a private group like the leadership council have the right to be ALL about opinion as well? They put their own money behind their collective mouths and stated priorities that are intended to improve the community. While the interests represented there are likely pretty diverse, why should they be held to a “representing all sides” test any more than the editorial board?

If you’ve got a gripe about the mayor/chair going to this group for support, then stick with that complaint rather than suggesting something nefarious and conspiratorial on the part of the leadership council. They only listened to political leaders and expressed support, so don’t get hung up on process and lose sight that they are probably a bunch of good folks wanting to put resources behind things important to the community.

Incidentally, my recommendation for openness at the paper wasn’t only related to the editorial board, but also to the ongoing internal editorial planning meetings that strategize topic coverage, story angles, positions and desired outcomes. That, not the editorial board meetings, is where the real work happens that influences public opinion.

And I will look forward to viewing the editorial board meetings on the web…great idea.

But, even if we weren’t that open, the fact is pretty simple: We are a private business and we are not bound by the Open Public Meetings Act. We are not elected officials and are not required by law to do our business in public. We choose to do so because it is the right thing to do.

Oh, an one more point: Editorial boards are ALL about opinion. That’s what they are; we’re not supposed to be neutral nor objective. Factual, yes. But nothing about an editorial board is about representing all sides.

However, one thing that bugs me is the automatic presumption by some in the media that groups such as business leaders in the leadership council have some evil, money-or-power-grubbing conspiracy in mind that they want to cloak in secrecy until it can be sprung onto a naive public who quakes in the shadow of the cartel’s power.

Come on—most of these leaders are trying to accomplish the same goal as everyone else, including the Register Star: make this a nicer place to live and work for their families, neighbors and employees. Are they 100% successful or always experts in managing the process? Of course not, since it appears they really are human. Perhaps in addition to their personal motives as residents they have a complementary business incentive. The funds being invested in these community projects are, afterall, private money. What’s wrong with that in a market-based society?

Let’s turn the tables a bit and ask this question of the newspaper’s free-from-bias-and-personal-motive editorial leadership: “Will you open to the public every internal editorial position and story planning meeting so we can see if your decisions are being influenced by a political agenda or a desire to shape public opinion—or heavens—maybe even a goal of selling more newspapers or ads?” Wait—nix on that last point. I forgot that journalism is always separated from the dirty world of commerce.

I will look forward to seeing the editorial meeting schedule and location in Sunday’s paper.

As for my boss and his objectivity: Newspaper publishers historically have been — and good ones are — deeply and broadly involved in the community. Editors and other journalists have more restrictions on them than are on publishers and other employees at the News Tower. I’m glad he is so deeply connected; it’s important to the community and to the newspaper. And, I am especially glad he doesn’t use his connections inappropriately. In short, I trust and respect my boss and his credibility.

Most of the mayor’s actions have been to undercut the city council and now the Rockford School Board.

Regarding the city council, the previous post is correct. This group of officials don’t act like legislators. During officers comments at the city council meeting they talk more about what events they have attended rather than doing the business of the people. That is why they are so easy for the mayor to walk all over them.

The mayor and city council need to focus on the ever increasing crime rate in this city. It is out of control and has increased since his administration has taken over. He has to work with people but he only wants to work with people he can bully.

Regarding your boss, how can he be objective when he has become part of Morrissey’s Dream Team?

DA: LOL. If I had $50,000, I’d share.

Keep those comments coming.

Why aren’t they using the ($50,000) Rockford logo? You know? “Real, Original?”

Here: I’ve got an idea for Rockford — put in some bike lanes on sub-major arteries.

Where’s my $50k?

The “NEW” way to the “OLD good’ol boy’s way of doing things.

We have a “BRAT and Bully Mayor and Administration that I believe thinks he is Mayor Daley.

He wants to run Rockford with an iron fist and a “my way or the highway” attitude.

He is an error. I am very proud of the stand and guts Ms Linda.

This is not “LEADERSHIP” or “Excellence”.

He is not smarter than everyone else and his ideas aren’t the best this city has to offer.

If they were….he / they wouldn’t be hiding and cloaked in secret

Very PROUD of you Linda and thank you!

Ps your Boss should know better than to be a part or associated with these groups.

He should be disconnected and independent. Full disclosure…..

He has causing a Great disservice to the RRStar(and all it stands for) and
It’s Readers for which it owes it loyalty first and foremost.

He should remove himself immediately from the organization(s).