2020 mtg with S McClure

["Priscilla Salant" <psalant@moscow.com>]

Steve,

The meeting was good, tho we missed your participation and insights!   I
appreciated the chance to learn more about constraints under which the
paper works, especially staff turnover, low pay, and competition with the
Tribune.

Here are the main concerns that surfaced (in no particular order):

* The paper has too many copy errors related to spelling and grammer.  (A
copy editor has been hired to address this.)

* Reporters who cover public meetings sometimes focus on relatively less
important issues and leave out the main story.  (Someone asked if the
stories couldn't just be longer or broken in two separate pieces.)

* Editorials on the 1912 Center have been vitriolic and destructive, rather
than helpful in addressing the concerns that some people have over openness
and financing. (One person argued that the paper shouldn't be expected to
tow the establishment's line.)

* Critical local issues, especially the Alturas Business Park, have either
been missed or handled superficially. (Steve acknowledges this problem and
is working on doing a better job.  He does think they've done a good job
with the hospital merger.)

It was interesting for me to hear that quite a few readers look to AP
stories in the local paper for details on national and international
events.  Others rely on radio and television for this purpose.

Perhaps others who were at the meeting can add something.

--Priscilla Salant