Tom Frazier: So ... what's it like being ombudsman?

I often get asked questions about my ombudsman "job." I'll answer the most frequent ones this week, in no particular order.

"How did you get the job?"

That's easy.

I was on a weekend trip with Leadership Merced. Executive Editor Mike Tharp was on the same trip. Over dinner one night he asked me.

I don't consider myself to be much of an anecdotist or a logophile, so it was a bit of a shock. As far as I know, Mike had never read anything I had written or knew my views on the paper, politics or other local issues.

He explained that his primary -- or perhaps only -- qualifications were that the ombudsman needed to be fair, objective and honest.

He also said our joint mission was to help keep the Sun-Star on its toes and make it a better paper.

So I said I'd do it.

"What's it like going into the Sun-Star all the time?"

I actually don't know. I've only been beyond the front desk a couple times. I work from home and file my columns using regular ol' e-mail.

"What's the new publisher like?"

Again, I don't know -- never met the lady. We exchanged an e-mail or two before she got the job.

"Can you help me get something published?"

In a word, no.

My role requires that I show no favoritism. So the easiest way to manage that is a blanket "no."

"Who assigns

your subjects?"

No one. I'm allowed to write about whatever I choose. But my charter is in the newsroom, so I stay focused there. (When I first started, a lot of folks complained about delivery -- or non delivery -- but I soon found that the business side of the paper was off limits.)

"How much do they edit out of what you send in?"

Nothing to very little.

Our agreement is that they will only edit for grammar, punctuation and AP style. A couple of times, I was called to see if I would cut it down a bit myself, which I did.

"What are the reporters like?"

I did an early column about them, calling them the "heroes of the newsroom." I stand by that opinion. I've only met each of them casually and exchanged a few insignificant words.

It is truly amazing what they do, especially in this period where they are undermanned by several.

(In this context, when I say reporters, I'm including news and sports reporters.)

"What are the

editors like?"

I've met Brandon Bowers, the online editor, for lunch once and visited with the Editorial Page Editor Keith Jones once. Never met the others -- except for Mike Tharp -- whom I'm saving for later.

Both Keith and Brandon are seasoned veterans who help keep the wheels turning.

"Do columnists get together very often?"

Never, that I know of, but I think a joint meeting with the editors once or twice a year would be beneficial.

"Do you like working for Mike Tharp?"

Most of the time. He's a talented writer, an enthusiastic cheerleader and we share a lot of common interests.

But now and then, I tick him off and it's not fun. He uses his writing talent to send me e-mails that would make anyone blush -- including me.

The good news is that he has a "tornado temper." It blows really hard for a few minutes, then settles down to a light breeze.

"Do you really like writing the column?"

Yes I do, even though I've never written much in the past. The hardest part at times is coming up with ideas.

One of my favorite writers is Andy Rooney -- I like his attitude and try to watch him every week. I often think of him as I write my columns.

My wife says I act like him at times, calling me a curmudgeon.

I thought this was a crackerjack compliment -- until I looked it up just to make sure.

"A crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas!"

Who, me?

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