Local Reporters Now Out-Number County Officials At Weekly Commission Meetings

Published by Clark Kant, Editor In Chief

The number of local reporters from our many media outlets now exceed the total number of county officials who actually participate in the weekly Gasconade County commission meetings.  That was certainly the case this Thursday morning when four members of the local media covered the commission meeting attended by Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost, Northern District Commissioner Matt Penning and County Clerk Lesa Lietzow.  (Note:  Southern District Commissioner Jerry Lairmore was absent, as was his son and close advisor, Kyle Lairmore.)

Attending the meeting and representing local media outlets were:  Glenn Warnebold (owner of HermannNews.com and producer of OakGlenn wines),  Jeffrey J. Wright (recently hired managing editor of HermannNews.com), Jessica Nelson (recently hired reporter for HermannNews.com) and Alex Luft (editor of CountyNewsLIVE.com, a Jeff Noedel enterprise).  When these meetings are covered by Don Kruse (editor of the Hermann Advertiser-Courier), Jeff Noedel (owner of CountyNewsLIVE.com) and Dave Marner (managing editor of the Gasconade County Republican) as well as all the reporters who attended this morning's meeting, there will virtually be NO seats for me, Jimmy Oldsun or members of the general public.  Seating space at these meeting is very, very limited.  (Note:  John Penning, a senior citizen, Hermann alderman, and regular attendee at these meetings, was still able to find a seat this morning.)

Reports filed by these reporters may be read at the following links:

http://www.ngnn.com/65041/content/2010/jan/21/county-commissioners-have-concerns-over-tight-budget#comment-4597

http://www.countynewslive.com/content/2010/jan/21/roundup-commissioner-penning-raises-concerns-over-still-be-adopted-2010-budget

Given the intense and thorough coverage of county commission meetings by our competitors, HermannHearsay has made an editorial decision to stop covering these meetings.  Instead I am directing our investigative reporters to cover other stories of interest to our readers throughout the county.  Such stories will include: muddy roads in the county, rabbit habitat restoration efforts by the Missouri Department of Conservation, photos of the new trucks being purchased by the county, the continuing deterioration of our county courthouse and other stories of interest to our readers.  Besides, if Jimmy and I don't attend the weekly meetings, our old friend John Penning is more likely to find a comfy seat at all future commission meetings!

Clark Kant
Editor In Chief
HermannHearsay.blogspot.com