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Health & Fitness

The End of the North County Times

The End of the North County Times article shows concerns about the Union-Tribune takeover of our local paper.

 

            I remember when we in North County had the Times-Advocate (TA) newspaper with Logan Jenkins as editorial page editor.  Back then Logan and I had a few disagreements about educational issues, but he permitted my opposing views to be published in the paper, the sign of a credible editor.  I was permitted to attack Logan with my editorial titled “TA editorial is a sexist attack that misses the point.” I don’t think Logan disliked me as a person at that time for my differing viewpoints, nor do I believe he dislikes me today.   

            A few months following my editorial argument with him, Logan Jenkins continued to be a respected editor and I, as a School Board candidate, was featured on the front page of the paper.  Then both Logan and the Times-Advocate seemed to disappear.  The reason, Howard Publications bought the TA, renaming it the North County Times.  Under new Editor Kent Davy, changes in the newspaper occurred, but it was still my local paper and people were allowed to express their opinions on issues.  In addition, under Davy’s leadership I could purchase the paper from a vendor on the Coast Highway, usually a man in need whom I could tip.  I enjoyed that freedom as much as I appreciated the small paper featuring local stories and differing points of view. 

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            Now that the Times-Advocate has been purchased by The Union-Tribune (Doug Manchester, publisher), I wonder if I’ll have local news available to me via the street corner vendor.  I wonder if Editor Davy will be offered a respectable position with the paper, a position where he can express his honest views.  It seemed that shortly after the Times-Advocate disappeared, Logan Jenkins began writing columns for the Union-Tribune.  I was glad to read his columns because I didn’t want to loose track of my “real” Californian (Logan is one of the few native Californians left in the County) with whom I had argued on paper.   Now I can’t argue with Logan because I agree too often with his positions as seen in cyberspace. 

            It’s my hope that North County Times editor Kent Davy is given a valuable assignment under Mr. Manchester’s watch.  I have a concern about journalists being assigned to write for their corporate masters rather than to enlighten readers with information.  I would like to read Davy’s opinions, especially if I disagree with him on some issues, because logical thought evolves out of disagreement.

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            I hope, that with the U-T takeover of the North County Times, the Union Tribune will continue to offer us fine editorials, local perspectives and news as well as the ability to purchase a copy from street vendors who need our tips to survive.

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