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Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Tom Frazier: You can't get blood from a turnip

"You can't get blood from a turnip," Sun-Star Executive Editor Mike Tharp wrote when he read last week's column about Saturday coverage. Oh, that's not all he said, but most of the rest was "adult supervision."

He was saying that reporters are a finite resource and not everything can be covered, especially on weekends.

Saturday may get even worse and other days may be in jeopardy as well.

But before I explain that, I need to make a huge apology and correction.

In last week's Sun Dog, I said that there was no pre-event coverage of the Big Valley Arts and Culture Festival. That was true.

I also said there was no coverage of the event itself. That was not true. In fact, it could not be further from the truth. There was a superb photographer there for hours.

There were two photos inside the front page on the Monday following the event. Furthermore, the caption pointed readers to an online photo gallery of more than six dozen additional photographs.

How in the heck could I make such an error?

First, I trusted three sources -- a mistake. I didn't ask them the right questions.

Then, I trusted the Sun-Star's search engine -- a second mistake. I didn't use the right search technique.

Finally, I didn't make enough phone calls or send enough e-mails.

It won't happen again.

Some would ask, why didn't Tharp question the article when he first read it, before printing?

There are a couple possibilities. Either he didn't know at the time it was inaccurate or he let the Sun Dog step in his own poo on purpose.

That's our deal, our handshake agreement.

I write anything I want about the paper without anyone censoring or changing content. Oh sure, Tharp fixes my bad grammar or AP style, but nothing else.

But it doesn't matter which is correct, whether he knew or he was doing some dog training.

I screwed up.

For that I sincerely apologize to readers, reporters, editors and especially to Lisa James -- the photographer whose work I overlooked.

Now, back to turnips and blood, appropriate for this Halloween day.

One of the Feral Dogs (Tharp's nickname for the reporters) is departing the Sun-Star. And who knows how long it will take to find a suitable replacement?

The reporters are already strapped for time. Now it will get even worse.

I asked Tharp how he'd change reporters' beats. He replied that he wasn't going to change them, saying he'd "let them decide the best way to do it."

In case you didn't know, very few stories at the Sun-Star are assigned from above. Reporters are free to write what they think will be of interest. For example, we certainly know Carol Reiter is passionate about her dog friends. Many readers have told me they place her dog stories high on their favorite lists.

So who's leaving?

You'll have to watch the paper and do a process of elimination. He or she doesn't want any publicity, according to other reporters.

It will probably take awhile to find another Feral Dog. A few weeks ago a headline screamed, "500 show up for two Merced city firefighter jobs." There may not be 500 applicants for the newsroom position.

The job is actually a lot like the firefighter's job, only probably not as high-paying. There are long hours, time pressures, deadlines and other demanding situations.

But there is a good perk -- working with a great group of fellow reporters.

And reporters don't have to squeeze turnips.

Tom Frazier writes Sun Dog and can be reached at sundog@promessage.com.