A few minutes ago, Stan Zegel called. We chatted for about an hour, I did not really keep track of time. His challenge: “get written statements from business owners.” In the cases referenced, Stan said that he did talk to a manager and co-owner respectively. From Stan’s perspective, Tim is not truthful. However, my response was simple: is the manager authorized and did the other co-owner know? Also, is it possible that the persons Tim spoke with told him what he wanted to hear. There is no good answer here. Stan followed with his rhetoric about “tortuous interference”. I responded with something like, come on Stan, you are just trying to ____ when you send a letter like that to Tim. What did you expect as a result? Of course, from his perspective, I have gone over to the dark side because I associated with Winfield411.
We also discussed the first headlines and articles. Relative to the districting referendum, I said that he was disrespectful of the more than 400 people who signed petitions; reminding Stan that he favored districting in the past and my experience going door to door. Our community has people with a genuine interest and concern about what is going on Winfield. They deserve respect and my read did not see that respect, just wanting a fight.
We went down the “Positive on Winfield” route versus Winfield 411. What is better, dealing with some of the inappropriate comments or no comments from a closed website? His response was the need for a newspaper. Another point was people not using their names when writing. Stan was not aware of the number of people who use real names – but more of you, in my opinion, should consider taking the risk.
I want my friends on 411 to know that I told Stan that if he produced a balanced publication, that I would support his efforts because I believe that we need a community news source. In fact, I would be willing to write counterpoint to him. He accepted, somewhat in shock. But I also read him the riot act that media is changing and he needs to get with it; 411 interaction is where it is at, although there are many issues as we learn to work within social media – it is tougher when some of you write things that I wish I did not see.
So, let’s see (although can a leopard change its spots?), if the Register can start changing by the next issue. In the meantime, let’s start turning 411 into a real news source – that means more than Tim writing articles.
LeRoy –
I’m not sure if you should receive a humanitarian award or a sympathy card for taking an hour out of your life to speak with Zegel. Although I don’t envy you for losing that precious hour. That said, Zegel has verified that he is neither an editor or a journalist. At the very least he is political operative for Winfield United or at the very best he is a political hack bent on imposing his tormented desires on our community.
In journalism the most share common elements include the principles of — truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability — as these apply to the acquisition of newsworthy information and its subsequent reporting to the public. When have any of these character qualities been exhibited or even been used in the same sentence with Zegel? I’m not picking on the man, I just reading history.
Now before you start to think I just don’t like him, let me ask you, do you believe that journalism ethics and standards comprise principles of ethics and of good practice. And both historically and currently, that subset of media ethics is widely known to journalists as their professional “code of ethics” or the “canons of journalism.” None of which is present in Zegel or Winfield United as we witnessed in Zegel’s last go around with his Winfield Register. Wouldn’t you agree?
Do you agree with the following statement?
“Every news organization has only its credibility and reputation to rely on.” -Tony Burman, editor-in-chief of CBC News
If you do than please explain to me where Zegel’s credibility is and just what reputation is he relying on?
Bottom line it’s not that I dislike Zegel because I don’t — he is what he is. Do I think there is a disconnect with him and he sucks people in, you better believe it. I’ll leave my college major (psychology, in case you were wondering) out of this discussion. But I will answer your question, and the answer is NO, a leopard cannot change its’ spots.
Be Very Cautious and Have a Great Day!
PS: I enjoy your counterpoint.
Yes, credibility is the essential characteristic of good journalism.
I have known Stan a long time, perhaps not as long as you and your observation is often correct about Stan. Yet, I have seen a few times when he surprised me in a good way.
Stan is really a “sutnic” (mischievous, pot stirrer). However, apart from the joy he gets from the bully pulpet of newsprint, I believe that the legacy he seeks is to die a publisher, with something that survives him. My challenge and risk is to get him to trade the built pulpit for good jounalism. My strategy is to take the risk, but to work a bit more a 411 with everyone’s help to be the competing source of community information. If Stan does not change, he will suffer an expensive loss.
Of course I did not asks Tim’s or the groups permission to pursue this approach. But that is why I will keep these thoughts in the public space and open to your concerns and thoughts. I am not taken in by Stan. He is tragic, of his own making.
I keep pointing out that the majority of articles or blurbs in Stan’s paper are anonymous as well.
LMG — Why don’t you bring that fact to the attention of that hypocrite Steve Romanelli. It is well documented that his organization Winfield United was Zegel’s largest supporter for his newsletter. Romanelli “Mr. Ethical” is screaming from every corner about anonymous posters and he supports Zegel’s newsletter that is forced onto unsuspecting residents. Speak to that and to Romanelli’s lack of integrity and ethics.
Yours is a reasonable request, that authors be named.
I found it interesting that in the cover story, that it was not up to Stan’s usual language and editig. It was as if Stan wrote the article, and then tried to reword it as if being interviewed – but it was mixed up and confused.
I added the above because while Stan claims to have volunteers, most likely it was his writing (with exception of the licensed content). That being the case, Stan will have more trouble than money, because doing it by yourself is hard work.
LeRoy, you’re about to get a shanked by the man with two faces.
Mr. Voss
You are correct about a man with two faces. Stan uses his interchangeable empathy and real Stan, to get information, and then runs to use what he learns for the benefit of exerting control over others. I have never known anyone as good at that technique as Stan – of this I have personal knowledge.
Are any of us beyond redemption?
Stan had a few choice words in your direction. It is to bad that he does not know knor appreciate the real value that your knowledge and experience, and how the village could benefit from your careful eye.
Wow, thanks for the heads up, I made the funny papers!
What in the world could that MEAN OLD MAN Stan “I never had sex with my mother’ Zegel have against me?
Im just a citizen of this village, everyone that knows me loves me, I always have a smile for anyone, even if we dissagree.
Oh well.. How will I make it through the day?
My dear friend Leroy, watch your back the knife can be very sharp. The twisted man changes his mind like his underware. But as granny used to say, “you can tell them to beware, but knife wounds heal too.” He is part of AGENDA, and trust me who would have thought to get fake ads, only the twisted one. Hey Stan why not feed the homeless with the $$$$$$ your usin…same spots different day…….
LRRH
I appreciate you, more than most, and will take your recommendations. God pulled the knives out of my back from the last round. Knives in the back are things which you have also experienced, and yet keep serving in the community. According to my bone scan, one cannot even tell where ithey went in last, and there is no pain or continuing issues. I often say that I am a walking miracle. I feel no anger. On the practicle side, it is useful to have a stainless steel plate formed into my Kevlar jacket. But ultimately, I function these days from hope, hope that became real. Unlike Stan, here at 411, I have a support system in this effort. ( this was intentionally cryptic.)
We all need to band together and push those with personal Agendas out of our little town, we the votes have taken the baby steps even though we were fooled and taken advantage of when we thought Mr. Hughes would be a stable choice. Mr. Hughes you almost has us fooled, but you too have shown us that your attached to the personal Agenda program because we are pushing a Riverwalk thru before we have fixed our streets. Which in my thoughts, is ass backwards. With the amount of focous on a walkway to no where at this point, because who is really coming to a Town with nothing to offer but drinks, food and potholes and a train that is always in the way, is humorous. I have to agree with RAV, we need to get our messy screwed up house in order before we go out to play. The direction we all have taken on this Blog is to get the facts straight and get the people out to CHANGE the aweful way we have let our village stay in the 60′s, 70′s 80′s pick one we have not moved forward we just continue to stay backwards. I too feel no anger, however we need our public to become aware and VOTE and join in the efforts. We have to focous on the 10,000 people not just 100. Getting people to realize the problem is a tuff nut to crack, even harder to undo the damage once its done its done. I agree Leroy, I bought us some hard hats on Ebay, this way we can protect and grow our thoughts.