BlogaBarbara 2006 in Review: August to October
Part of our continuing series on the biggest stories of the year -- followed by statistics on what posts on BlogaBarbara were about for that month.
August:
August saw the continuing saga of the News-Press Mess unfold with posts on Ampersand's injunction against Michael Todd, Dr. Laura, the continuing "salsipuedes" of news reporters such as Josh Molina and Tom Schultz. Travis Armstrong attacked a record 21 people, news outlets and organizations in one editorial. We discussed whether the city was trying to push the Cottage EIR through during Fiesta, learned that the Architectural Board of Review is actually an Agricultural Board of Review in the News-Press and were honored by the fact that the News Press Nine received the Society of Professional Journalists award. Nelville Flynn began posting on BlogaBarbara and Travis' one-sided editorials continued on campaign finance. McCaw blasted the SBJ awards, nabbed the Daily Sound domain name and Starshine Roshell left the News-Press. Finally we questioned whether Brian Banmiller had ever really been to DLG Plaza and Spendy McFlaw's blog was pulled.
August Overview Stats:
News-Press Mess: 13
SBNP Newsroom Articles: 2 (opinion)
SBNP Editorials: 6 (opinion), 0 (neutral), 0 (no opinion)
Election for Sheriff: 1
Election for 2nd District: 3
Planning: 5
Goleta City Council: 2
SB City Council: 0
BlogaBarbara: 2
Other: 0
September:
Attorneys for Jerry Roberts fired back at News-Press accusations that he leaked details about a lawsuit against him as it was clear information related to it could have come from several sources. Travis Armstrong wrote an editorial trying to make us believe that there was rampant bias in the SBNP Newsroom and a rash of suspensions were handed out as newsroom employees tried to deliver a letter to McCaw. Armstrong continued his attack on the union by pulling the mafia card on the Teamsters on Labor Day. Goleta finally named a planning commission and the Vanity Fair article was the subject of much discussion around town -- if you could find a copy of it. SBNP columnist Michael Seabaugh got accused of making a personal attack on Dr. Laura and McCaw actually published an apology about it to her readers. Our friends at EdHat got a cease and desist over publishing obituaries that were freely available over the Internet and then Seabaugh and 25-year photographer veteran Len Wood tendered their resignations. Finally, we saw information on the Day Fire published here sooner than many local news outlets.
September Overview Stats:
News-Press Mess: 19
SBNP Newsroom Articles: 2 (opinion)
SBNP Editorials: 3 (opinion), 0 (neutral), 0 (no opinion)
Election for Sheriff: 1
Election for 2nd District: 2
Goleta City Council: 1
SB City Council: 3
BlogaBarbara: 2
Other: 2
October
October began with some coverage on SBNP related court cases and Goleta passing a General Plan. The biggest post topics were about Starshine Roshell leaving the News-Press (along with Al Bonowitz). Starshine and Seabaugh then went to the Indie and Doc Searles published his 10 point plan for newspapers. We questioned whether the Valley Voice would ever cover the Goleta Council race and looked at exactly who the Orange County Goletans for Fiscal Responsibility were. We questioned donations to Dr. Dan and questioned why he didn't publish the data earlier as promised. Jack Hawxhurst left the Chamber of Commerce luncheon early and later in the month the other incumbents publicly supported him at the WPC dinner when the WPC wasn't endorsing him. We learned that Esau's was closing its doors and read about Jan Campbell's criticism of The Independent for endorsing Boe Noel. The Organized had a victory in October at the NLRB and we had a lot of activity on the News-Press lack of endorsement of Measure D and the Measure D Mailer that included an article from Melinda Burns. The SBNP injunction against Michael Todd was dismissed but they turned around and filed a complaint against The Independent a day later. October ended with Melinda Burn's firing -- someone who just happened to be active in the unionization effort.
October Overview Stats:
News-Press Mess: 10
SBNP Editorials: 2 (opinion), 0 (neutral), 0 (no opinion)
Election for 2nd District: 1
Goleta City Council: 6
2nd District Race: 1
School Board: 1
SB City Council: 3
Planning: 2
Other: 4
August:
August saw the continuing saga of the News-Press Mess unfold with posts on Ampersand's injunction against Michael Todd, Dr. Laura, the continuing "salsipuedes" of news reporters such as Josh Molina and Tom Schultz. Travis Armstrong attacked a record 21 people, news outlets and organizations in one editorial. We discussed whether the city was trying to push the Cottage EIR through during Fiesta, learned that the Architectural Board of Review is actually an Agricultural Board of Review in the News-Press and were honored by the fact that the News Press Nine received the Society of Professional Journalists award. Nelville Flynn began posting on BlogaBarbara and Travis' one-sided editorials continued on campaign finance. McCaw blasted the SBJ awards, nabbed the Daily Sound domain name and Starshine Roshell left the News-Press. Finally we questioned whether Brian Banmiller had ever really been to DLG Plaza and Spendy McFlaw's blog was pulled.
August Overview Stats:
News-Press Mess: 13
SBNP Newsroom Articles: 2 (opinion)
SBNP Editorials: 6 (opinion), 0 (neutral), 0 (no opinion)
Election for Sheriff: 1
Election for 2nd District: 3
Planning: 5
Goleta City Council: 2
SB City Council: 0
BlogaBarbara: 2
Other: 0
September:
Attorneys for Jerry Roberts fired back at News-Press accusations that he leaked details about a lawsuit against him as it was clear information related to it could have come from several sources. Travis Armstrong wrote an editorial trying to make us believe that there was rampant bias in the SBNP Newsroom and a rash of suspensions were handed out as newsroom employees tried to deliver a letter to McCaw. Armstrong continued his attack on the union by pulling the mafia card on the Teamsters on Labor Day. Goleta finally named a planning commission and the Vanity Fair article was the subject of much discussion around town -- if you could find a copy of it. SBNP columnist Michael Seabaugh got accused of making a personal attack on Dr. Laura and McCaw actually published an apology about it to her readers. Our friends at EdHat got a cease and desist over publishing obituaries that were freely available over the Internet and then Seabaugh and 25-year photographer veteran Len Wood tendered their resignations. Finally, we saw information on the Day Fire published here sooner than many local news outlets.
September Overview Stats:
News-Press Mess: 19
SBNP Newsroom Articles: 2 (opinion)
SBNP Editorials: 3 (opinion), 0 (neutral), 0 (no opinion)
Election for Sheriff: 1
Election for 2nd District: 2
Goleta City Council: 1
SB City Council: 3
BlogaBarbara: 2
Other: 2
October
October began with some coverage on SBNP related court cases and Goleta passing a General Plan. The biggest post topics were about Starshine Roshell leaving the News-Press (along with Al Bonowitz). Starshine and Seabaugh then went to the Indie and Doc Searles published his 10 point plan for newspapers. We questioned whether the Valley Voice would ever cover the Goleta Council race and looked at exactly who the Orange County Goletans for Fiscal Responsibility were. We questioned donations to Dr. Dan and questioned why he didn't publish the data earlier as promised. Jack Hawxhurst left the Chamber of Commerce luncheon early and later in the month the other incumbents publicly supported him at the WPC dinner when the WPC wasn't endorsing him. We learned that Esau's was closing its doors and read about Jan Campbell's criticism of The Independent for endorsing Boe Noel. The Organized had a victory in October at the NLRB and we had a lot of activity on the News-Press lack of endorsement of Measure D and the Measure D Mailer that included an article from Melinda Burns. The SBNP injunction against Michael Todd was dismissed but they turned around and filed a complaint against The Independent a day later. October ended with Melinda Burn's firing -- someone who just happened to be active in the unionization effort.
October Overview Stats:
News-Press Mess: 10
SBNP Editorials: 2 (opinion), 0 (neutral), 0 (no opinion)
Election for 2nd District: 1
Goleta City Council: 6
2nd District Race: 1
School Board: 1
SB City Council: 3
Planning: 2
Other: 4
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 12/29/2006 06:54:00 AM
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13 Comments:
Good Morning just checking in to get my news.
Super review of the year Sara to date. It sure shows what a mess the News Press is and that you give a far better coverage of the topics than the News Press.
What happened to August?
Sara - love the analysis, but please don't forget Craig Smith's blog, who did happen to break some newsworthy items. Happy New Year! dd
Sara, you should also include in your history the first appearance of "Neville" and the many anonymous News-Press management flacks as well.
9:40 AM -- duh! Good call...it's added now.
dd -- you are right and I was just covering post topics but Craig deserves a great many kudos for what he's done.
1:09 PM -- Nelville began commenting in August and he is included now.
Sara, I love your blog and look forward to reading it everyday. And even though I disagree with much of what I read on it, I look forward to your keen political observations and astute analysis. Good job and have a prosperous and happy new year!
Best,
Joe Armendariz
Joe Armendariz seems to be the ever contrarian in his statement "I disagree with much of what I read on it" refering to this blog.
I guess if Joe doesn't detect his own opinion articulated, he would be in stubborn disagreement...never heading to a contrary yet logical and well argued opinion.
I seem to recall that just a few years ago Mr. Armendariz's picture appeared in the News Press with his News Years resolution.... Armendariz would attempt to get closer to god was an approximation his resolution.
After several years of hearing Mr. Armendariz at the governemntal podiums, reading his omni-present editorials and of course reading about his reported misfortune with the bottle and mis-fortune for having survived the alcohol and automobile crash, I could say alot about his absolute, autocratic and somewhat hypocritical opinions.
My wish for Mr. Armendariz in this New Year is that a sane taxpayer association would appear and propose tax-metering his driveway to counter impending environmental disaster. Also any dui's would meet with the punishment of an around the clock torture tape of Andy Caldwell's boring anti-government diatribes. Last but not least I wish that Mr. Armendariz would find God in this blog.
Best to Armendariz and everyone, please and honor this earth this new year!
donaldo de Santa Babara
I'm wondering if I should be a tad worried that donaldo de whatever exhibits what seems like an unnatural interest in me and my personal life. Hey donaldo, have a earthy new year!
Best,
Joe De Carpinteria
You are a good sport Joe -- Happy New Year to you.
I don't understand why sara de la guerra would want to console Joe Armendariz as a good sport especially and specifically to his worriedness regarding my comments.
My comments had nothing to do with Joe's personal life but rather his public life.....I do have a healthy interest with public and private figures and with what is stated publically, at a podium, on the dais in committee or even in the press. And yes, my interest may remain piqued when public figures are publically arrested.
So long as Joe Armendariz finds a public arena for his agendas, on behalf of narrowly focused groups such as taxpayer and industrial groups, I will have a healthy interest in his comments and actions.
Hopefully Joe Armendariz will eventually find the public's interest a healthy part of the democratic checks and balances rather than a worrisome unnatural interest.
Again Best Back,
donaldo de santa barbara
donaldo -- I appreciate a politician that has the huevos to use their own name on blogs like this, especially when most of us have political leanings far from his, that's all.
I nominate Sara for "Person of the Year"!
Signed:
even more worried in carpinteria...
Joe Armendariz has nothing to worry about unless he really thinks he has any political potential left in him for any elected or appointed office.
Booking photo, arrest record, and court filings are all public records.
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