Yesterday, I received some feedback (from a couple of different people) about the following three things.
- A general negativity on Dora-Blog
- Disappointment that a controversial individual was granted front-page posting rights
- The use of an image that is similar to the Doraville City Seal in the header.
I will address each issue as best I can.
- Negativity: Overall, I agree that a lot of the comments, and some of the posts on this blog have a negative slant. I’m not sure that there’s anything I can do about that. I don’t want to curtail people from expressing their feelings in the comments (as long as they try to be moderately respectful and don’t use multiple screen names), and a lot of the stories about things going on behind the scenes in the city are just not positive. My solution to this is to request that those of you with “positive” stories to tell, please contact me and ask for front-page posting rights.
- Disappointment with front page posters: When I started this blog, I wanted it to represent a wide-array of opinion about goings on in the city. I’ve tried to recruit people with viewpoints different from my own. For whatever reason (time constraints, disliking the idea of a “blog,” disliking me, etc) only a few people have taken me up on my request for contributors. I’m not going to turn away one of the people who has stepped up to post here, just because he or she is a controversial figure. Again, if you don’t like what’s being said, request front page posting rights, and give folks an opposing view!
- Use of the city seal: I have a couple of points to make about this. First of all, I think it’s pretty obvious to anyone reading that this website is not run by the city. Second, what I’m using in the header of this blog is actually not the city seal, it’s a piece of art that’s based on the seal. Take a look at an actual image of the seal and look at the one above. While similar, they are also quite different:
Thanks to those people who gave me feedback, hopefully you will understand where I’m coming from. Also, I really do want other front-page contributors, and many different opposing views–so if you think your voice should be heard here, please contact me.
What’s the old saying? If they’re shooting at you you must be doing something right.
“To allay any fears that someone might mistake Dora-Blog for the official city website, I will add a tag-line to the top of the page stating that this site is not affiliated with the City of Doraville.”
Your disclaimer should go at the bottom of each page, down where it says “Dora-Blog is powered by….” Also you should add a copyright notice for the site as well as the seal. If the seal is truly original then you should have no qualms copyrighting it. I personally think the top of the page is nice, simple, and doesn’t need a disclaimer breaking up the flow.
Hooey!
I’m glad you’re doing this. It is one of the few sources of info on what’s going on, whether or not I agree with what is said.
Let the carpers carp. That’s all that they are good at.
Keep up the good work!
Your fine print is too big
I still say stick it at the bottom of the page.
OK, you provide a news service to local people, and an outlet. People post, other people respond. No one ever agrees with everything someone else thinks…. This is the truest form of freedom of speech there is. Thanks for the opportunity.
Joseph, I agree with Russell and griftdrift. You’re doing a great job and I’m glad that you don’t censor posts. Some of the posts lead me to believe that there are some real nutcases in Doraville, but they shouldn’t be denied the opportunity to express their opinions. I think you are a brave man and I have a lot of respect for you. There are always going to be whiners. The criticism you received doesn’t really deserve a response, but you still took the time to address them.
In America we have freedom of speech, not equality of speech. Blogs such as this help close the equality gap.
Just as the AJC has different standards for news, editorials, and letters to the editor, IMO blogs tend to have different rules for posters verses commenters. Posters are usually held to higher standards of veracity and integrity, whereas commenters pretty much get away with everything short of legally actionable posts. Readers understand this – usually no one would hold a blogger accountable for comments.
Your postings are fact-based, fair and thoughtful. You are respectful even when reporting negative news or offering criticism. Though you have opinions, you don’t stretch facts and don’t seem to have a hidden political agenda. Best of all, you don’t hesitate to correct or amend your posts when appropriate.
As far as the seal, I think it’s just nitpicking by people who may not like some of the things posted here. There have been other examples of printed materials with a seal. I for one never got the impression this was an official site.
Bob Roche
If y’all are feeling negativity, check out GoDekalb.com. This is a wonderful site, chock full of news, rumours, and innuendo and facts.
I challenge your civic leaders to think ‘beyond the box’ on the GM plant. That site can re-define NE Atlanta, and Doraville could benefit, if it takes the lead on this.
it seems so much of Dora-politics is small town bickering, and y’all are facing one of the biggest real estate re-developments in Atlanta’s histroy. Do it right!
Exactly! Let’s get on with it!
Chris
There are plenty of great minds that can develop Doraville. Located between Dunwoody and Emory – and steps away from Buckhead – Doraville is a gold mine – I just hope we take some notes from Chamblee – a city where new construction is visible at every corner.