An Observation
Subject: Local media errors in the 11/27/13 printed article vs the Online account, “Maxine Parker’s son voted to the Council.”, and failed to make corrections.
The printed article grossly differed from the Online account.
The printed article omitted the reasons given for Councilors Shelia Tyson and Steven Hoyt’s “No” vote, unlike the full account given in the online version. This grave error of omitted facts was not corrected causing wide spread misunderstanding throughout the Birmingham Community. This is extremely unfair to the two elected officials.
The Online article clearly annunciated the reasons for their ‘No’ votes.
In the Online version, Councilor Tyson stated that callers from the community wanted to be a part of the selection process… meaning some wanted to apply for the position, get interviewed, etc. Most readers will recall that she, herself, was chosen by the same process that took weeks to complete the interviews of prospective applicants.
Councilors Tyson and Hoyt agreed this to be a fair way to make the selection to include all that would apply.
Further, the online article stated that others on the council voted the process down, saying it was “a waste of time” and they were ready to vote.
After the Council voted favorably for the son, Mr. William Parker, Councilor Hoyt requested to go on record voting for Parker because he was not against him, and Councilor Tyson obviously felt the same.
In fairness, the newspaper should have honored requests by this writer and others to make the necessary corrections.
Heager L. Hill, LHD (Dist. 6)
Birmingham, AL. 35209
