The Public Opinion Soapbox

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 373 Location: On the Computer

They "done it again".

Yesterday there was a terrible fire in Chambersburg. Horrible smoke could be seen from mile marker 3, for goodness sake. A burn victim was flown out from being trapped in a burning dwelling.

WHERE IS THE STORY?

This didn't happen at midnight; it didn't even happen in the late evening. It was in the afternoon. Way before the time needed to get the story and put the paper to bed.

P.O., wake up! City editor, take charge of your duties.
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Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way.

I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

koozie · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 124

And yet the Waynesboro newspaper has an article about 3 portable toilets being burned Confused

mjr260 · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 28

Apparently nobody polices the PO, they do what they want when they want!

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 373 Location: On the Computer

Oh No! It's Sluggo! · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

for once the "queen" nad i agree. the public onion uses photografers that have credencials from 180 miles away. that photog has trespassd into the sceen of acidents and been told to go away then he claims he is a fire polce. the po used these pictres.

Mister Me · Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 212

cookieclaygirl · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 2136 Location: shippensburg

yes, welcome mjr260

yumm....snickers really satisfies Very Happy

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

Well, my work here is done. (TY Cookie)

For the record, the photos that the P.O. runs seem to be the same as some of those posted on the local Fire Department websites, which leads me to believe that a member of the department took the photos and sold some to the Public Opinion. Standard procedure, if I'm not mistaken.

Before being picked on for not reporting stories in a timely fashion, the PO staff was picked on for typos and errors.
Maybe they want to make sure they get it right.
Maybe someone is not happy with their reporting and is stonewalling them on information. (Am I the only one who remembers the issue with our beloved Coroner not providing information because of the Warner case? I wonder if Conner has any supporters in the fire department or any other departments.)

Honestly, I don't know what's going on and neither does anyone else. I don't always agree with every action the Public Opinion makes, but I don't feel this incident was serious enough to get upset about.

Heck, I have responders running by my house almost every night and day going towards Menno Haven and even though I wish I knew what was going on that this could be perpetual thing (Doggone Seniors pulling fire alarms!!) I realize that the Fire Departments and Emergency Services respond to so much stuff--it can't all be reported.

Just go check it out on their websites.

Or ask Queen because she has an 'in' Wink

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Nevermind.

mjr260 · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 28

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 373 Location: On the Computer

With regards to Menno Haven...Automatic Fire alarms happen occasionally however, Chel you must remember that Menno Haven is a nursing home. Most of the time anything over a simple stomach ache, they call for an ambulance. I even suggested once that they keep one stationed there to cut down on patient costs. So the laong answer to your question is boring, automatic alarms and sick patients.
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Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way.

I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

Now I'm disappointed. I was just sure it was geriatric pranks!

I'd be a pariah if I suggested they be fined for false alarms, wouldn't I?
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Nevermind.

sassy moose · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 284 Location: Virginia

Anytime someone in a newsroom hears "entrapment" on the scanner, someone with a camera runs out the door in a frenzy.

Also "residential structure fire" and "fully involved" and "shots fired" and "seen with a gun" and "armed robbery"

Otherwise, the scanner goes batty for a few seconds, then you hear an address followed by "sick person" or something, and everyone stays calm.

My favorite was one night when I was still working at a newspaper, a call came in from some woman who said that her ex-boyfriend was coming by the house to pick up his guns, so she put them on the front porch and locked herself inside. She didn't want the cops to come over but wanted them to stake the place out and make sure he didn't do anything.

Brian · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Chambersburg, PA

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3043 Location: Chambersburg

Hi Brian!

Long time no see (yes, I'm scolding you for not posting.)

Thank you for your explanation, though it was not necessary.

As I am sure you have realized, Sluggo was a FD member and apparently had an axe to grind and thought the Soapbox was a good place to get his kicks and I think most of us recognized his 'specialness' early on---->which is just another way of saying, no need to explain yourself.

Have a wonderful day and don't be a stranger!
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Nevermind.

Brian · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Chambersburg, PA