Below is a reprint of an article by reporter Dustin Racioppi of the Norwich Bulletin published Sunday Morning November 25th. The reason we are publishing this at the Café is because of it’s pertinence to Woodstock’s political and intellectual environment.
There’s a small group of people in Woodstock who will try to spread mis-information about the Café because our articles and comments present alternative points of view. We believe that this is why some call the Café “controversial.” It would be a sad statement for the media outlets in our area if residents of Woodstock had no venue to speak openly about their beliefs and opinions. With the passing of the election season, I think we have also seen this intent from the Villager, as well, with less of an inclination to present only one side.
The difference, of course, is that if someone presents a one-sided viewpoint at the Café, others can quickly respond accordingly. It has been said by this small group of Café antagonists that the Café is a Democratic website. This is only true if we use a small “d” as in democratic. We think that there is plenty of evidence that the Café has contributors from all parties and even others outside the Quiet Corner who see the Café as a resource for expression of ideas and opinions. There has never been an intent to slant opinions to one side. If there has been a slant, then this has happened only because of the people who have chosen to speak. If the BOE sends news releases to the Café, then we will publish them. If the BOE does not, then we may choose to publish them anyway. If the Academy chooses to send news releases to the Café we would publish them, and when they have not we have sometimes published them anyway.
The Café has come alive over the last 2 years and 2 months and is accelerating with already as many as 644 articles and >6150 comments. Readership is also on the rise. As always, we wonder what will come up next? Admin
“Woodstock school board stirs controversy with plan to use blog
Nov 25, 2007 @ 3:43 AM
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Norwich Bulletin
Woodstock, Conn.
The Woodstock board of education admits to not being sufficiently in touch with the community. It’s something they’d like to fix.
In a recent letter to parents and guardians, the board of education announced what they are calling the Community Communications and Relations Committee in order to better their lack of dialogue.
One of the first initiatives of the committee is to launch the “WPS Cornerâ€? in local media—The Reminder News, The Woodstock Villager and Woodstock Cafe, a Web site run by former board of education candidate John Leavitt— to highlight student accomplishments and feature news of interest in the schools. There will also be an “Ask the BOEâ€? section. While residents do feel opening lines of communication is a positive step, some have concerns about posting on Woodstock Cafe. Read the rest of this entry »
