When my JMC 312 class of fifteen students suddenly turned into a class of eight, I was worried. Did I make the right decision to stay in the class? Is it even worthwhile if there are only eight kids here? I am happy to say that the class was worthwhile and that I did make the right decision.
This class is different from a typical college class. It meets only once a week, which is quite a change from the typical Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes. This class also has bi-weekly field trips to the City Council meetings. It is not the Denver Zoo, but it is a nice change of pace from the typical classroom setting. Sometimes the meetings are three hours long, something they are twenty minutes long. You never know what to expect from meeting to meeting.
I learned that City Council meetings are very boring. I also learned that the City Council members are very friendly people, completely different the politicians I see on Fox News. I really learned that a lot goes into writing a solid story and that one needs to check multiple sources to get the real story.
The most difficult thing about this class was not any assignment, but it was getting to and from the City Council meetings. Without a car of my own, I had to rely on the generosity of my roommates. The next most difficult thing would be staying awake in City Council meetings. In all seriousness, the only assignment I had trouble with was the feature story we wrote at the end of the class. It was our first real feature story of the semester, so I had trouble adjusting from the numerous blog posts and inverted-pyramid stories we wrote.
For those entering the class next year, be prepared to write. Notes, blogs, stories; there is a lot of writing in this class. Be ready to interview City Council members. They do not bite and are willing to help you out as long as you have interesting questions to ask. Do not be scared when Professor Klyde-Silverstein tells you that you will be covering City Council; stay in the class and enjoy. This class has helped me to become a better writer and I hope that it will do the same for you.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The New Council
Tonight was the first official Greeley City Council meeting after the elections, but Mayor Tom Norton was absent. Norton is currently attending a three-day seminar on "Transition and Leadership for Newly Elected Mayors" at Harvard University.
In his absence, mayor pro-tem John Gates led the meeting. For being asked to lead his very first meeting, Gates seemed very comfortable wielding the mayoral gavel. Gates was direct, clear, and courteous throughout the meeting. He seems ready to lead again if Norton has to miss another meeting.
The meeting itself was extremely short, but it was interesting to see the new council at work. Even with two citizens giving their input, two council members making remarks, and two pulled consent agenda items, the meeting was only twenty-five minutes long. This is by-far the shortest meeting of the semester.
Council member Donna Sapienza attended a Poudre Heritage Alliance event at the university yesterday. She asked City Attorney Rick Brady for more information about the group. Brady, a member of the Alliance, discussed northern Colorado's plan to support the heritage area and hopefully bring in tourists.
This was the last City Council meeting I will be attending this semester, and I can say it has been an interesting experience. They have reinforced my desire to not get involved in politics, even at the local area. I respect the City Council members for doing what they do, but I could never help run a city myself.
In his absence, mayor pro-tem John Gates led the meeting. For being asked to lead his very first meeting, Gates seemed very comfortable wielding the mayoral gavel. Gates was direct, clear, and courteous throughout the meeting. He seems ready to lead again if Norton has to miss another meeting.
The meeting itself was extremely short, but it was interesting to see the new council at work. Even with two citizens giving their input, two council members making remarks, and two pulled consent agenda items, the meeting was only twenty-five minutes long. This is by-far the shortest meeting of the semester.
Council member Donna Sapienza attended a Poudre Heritage Alliance event at the university yesterday. She asked City Attorney Rick Brady for more information about the group. Brady, a member of the Alliance, discussed northern Colorado's plan to support the heritage area and hopefully bring in tourists.
This was the last City Council meeting I will be attending this semester, and I can say it has been an interesting experience. They have reinforced my desire to not get involved in politics, even at the local area. I respect the City Council members for doing what they do, but I could never help run a city myself.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Into the Fire
Our JMC 312 class got a first-hand look at how newspapers work when we visited the Greeley Tribune on election night.
When I got there, I was surprised at how open the newsroom was. The room is huge and filled with desks, computers, and tiny television screens. I always envisioned a newsroom as someplace small and cluttered; the Tribune is clean and inviting. I look forward to working in a newsroom like this one.
The main event of the night was the page one meeting. In a page one meeting the editors and reporters come together and discuss what is happening with the "A" page of the paper. The reporters find out what they are writing, how much space they have to write it, and when the deadline is. There is no reaction quite like when a reporter learns that their story's space has gone from twelve inches to ten inches, a difference of sixty words.
Randy Bangert, editor of the Greeley Tribune, understands that the Greeley election is a huge event. "We certainly want to beat CNN when we report these races," he said. This humor is typical of the newspaper staff; they are very laid back and like to joke around, even when dealing with deadlines. Inspired, we spent time sharing humorous stories of our own.
Tonight was fascinating, but I do not think I would like to cover a local election. A national election would be interesting since it can hold the attention of an entire nation, but there is too much apathy from residents in a local election for me to care enough about it.
For those interested, here are the results of the election.
When I got there, I was surprised at how open the newsroom was. The room is huge and filled with desks, computers, and tiny television screens. I always envisioned a newsroom as someplace small and cluttered; the Tribune is clean and inviting. I look forward to working in a newsroom like this one.
The main event of the night was the page one meeting. In a page one meeting the editors and reporters come together and discuss what is happening with the "A" page of the paper. The reporters find out what they are writing, how much space they have to write it, and when the deadline is. There is no reaction quite like when a reporter learns that their story's space has gone from twelve inches to ten inches, a difference of sixty words.
Randy Bangert, editor of the Greeley Tribune, understands that the Greeley election is a huge event. "We certainly want to beat CNN when we report these races," he said. This humor is typical of the newspaper staff; they are very laid back and like to joke around, even when dealing with deadlines. Inspired, we spent time sharing humorous stories of our own.
Tonight was fascinating, but I do not think I would like to cover a local election. A national election would be interesting since it can hold the attention of an entire nation, but there is too much apathy from residents in a local election for me to care enough about it.
For those interested, here are the results of the election.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Dissent in City Council
The debate over medical marijuana in Greeley came to an end for the foreseeable future on Tuesday night. Both sides made compelling arguments, but the City Council voted 6-1 against allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in Greeley.
My favorite part of the meeting was when many of the supporters of dispensaries stormed out of the council room. Councilman Phillipsen was speaking, made a comment the supporters did not agree with and caused them to leave.
The City Council was polite and listened to citizen input on the issue for nearly an hour; the supporters left after hearing a few contrasting opinions ten minutes into the Council's discussion. They even made negative remarks during Councilman Martin's speech a few minutes beforehand, and he was the one who supported dispensaries.
The supporters wish to be taken seriously, but how can they be when they do something like this? A handful of supporters were polite, listened to what the council members had to say and I commend them for that. The supporters who left early showed a lack of professionalism and will have trouble getting what they want if they continue to act in such a way.
Richard Present, co-founder of Natures Medicine, believes that medical marijuana could be a huge asset to Greeley.
"We are going to provide a huge amount of taxes for you. We are making things happen in a bad economy," Present said.
Jeri Shepherd, a local attorney and supporter of Sensible Colorado, believes that allowing medical marijuana in Greeley is, "a policy that is cost effective and humane."
Councilman Carrol Martin, who cast the dissenting vote, is against legalizing marijuana outright. With other communities supplying medical marijuana to Greeley citizens, Martin said that the "only option is to control it ourselves" by allowing dispensaries in the city.
On the other side of the argument are a handful of citizens and the rest of City Council. Councilman Ed Phillipsen desires a uniform product for medical marijuana and diverse dispensaries would not be able to provide that.
Councilman Mike Finn noted that many citizens came forward to speak on behalf of medical marijuana but said he would have liked to have heard from a doctor on the subject.
"We are going to provide a huge amount of taxes for you. We are making things happen in a bad economy," Present said.
Jeri Shepherd, a local attorney and supporter of Sensible Colorado, believes that allowing medical marijuana in Greeley is, "a policy that is cost effective and humane."
Councilman Carrol Martin, who cast the dissenting vote, is against legalizing marijuana outright. With other communities supplying medical marijuana to Greeley citizens, Martin said that the "only option is to control it ourselves" by allowing dispensaries in the city.
On the other side of the argument are a handful of citizens and the rest of City Council. Councilman Ed Phillipsen desires a uniform product for medical marijuana and diverse dispensaries would not be able to provide that.
Councilman Mike Finn noted that many citizens came forward to speak on behalf of medical marijuana but said he would have liked to have heard from a doctor on the subject.
My favorite part of the meeting was when many of the supporters of dispensaries stormed out of the council room. Councilman Phillipsen was speaking, made a comment the supporters did not agree with and caused them to leave.
The City Council was polite and listened to citizen input on the issue for nearly an hour; the supporters left after hearing a few contrasting opinions ten minutes into the Council's discussion. They even made negative remarks during Councilman Martin's speech a few minutes beforehand, and he was the one who supported dispensaries.
The supporters wish to be taken seriously, but how can they be when they do something like this? A handful of supporters were polite, listened to what the council members had to say and I commend them for that. The supporters who left early showed a lack of professionalism and will have trouble getting what they want if they continue to act in such a way.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The City Budget
Why do certain services get cut when it is time to plan the city budget?
When Tim Nash, Greeley finance director, put up the list of how much funding certain services will be receiving next year, I was amazed. A majority of the services are receiving no funding, many are getting reduced funding, and only a few are getting the full amounts they asked for. I know we are in difficult economic times, but it is saddening to sit there and listen to Mary Lou Walton and Jodi Hartmann plead their cases to try and get some funding for their programs. Walton's Envision and Hartmann's Transitional House are projected to receive no city funding during 2010.
I am pleased that the City Council is trying to do something about this lack of support. Mayor Ed Clark is worried about the $6500 that A Woman's Place lost in funding and wants to find ways to get that money back. Council member Charles Archibeque wants to find a way to get the Weld Food Bank more than $0 in funding. Council member Ed Phillipsen understands that there is no way to get every group the amount of money they asked for and wants to disperse the funds so each group can get some support. Hopefully the City Council can find a way to balance a reasonable budget and get these important services the funding they need.
When Tim Nash, Greeley finance director, put up the list of how much funding certain services will be receiving next year, I was amazed. A majority of the services are receiving no funding, many are getting reduced funding, and only a few are getting the full amounts they asked for. I know we are in difficult economic times, but it is saddening to sit there and listen to Mary Lou Walton and Jodi Hartmann plead their cases to try and get some funding for their programs. Walton's Envision and Hartmann's Transitional House are projected to receive no city funding during 2010.
I am pleased that the City Council is trying to do something about this lack of support. Mayor Ed Clark is worried about the $6500 that A Woman's Place lost in funding and wants to find ways to get that money back. Council member Charles Archibeque wants to find a way to get the Weld Food Bank more than $0 in funding. Council member Ed Phillipsen understands that there is no way to get every group the amount of money they asked for and wants to disperse the funds so each group can get some support. Hopefully the City Council can find a way to balance a reasonable budget and get these important services the funding they need.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Getting Started
I am confident when it comes to writing online. I used to blog about my life back in high school, so I am excited to get the chance to blog about something meaningful. Blogging is very different from assignments I have done in the past. Usually an assignment is only seen by the student and professor; this blog can be viewed by anyone, anywhere, anytime. I am sure I will enjoy this, as it should be a nice change of pace from writing a legitimate news story. The class blog assignment should help prepare me for any future professional online writing I do.
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