The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

The CotoBuzz Journal

Community Journalism, Newsletters and Blogs Covering South Orange County, CA

The CotoBuzz Journal is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) and NAHJ

July 2007 Issue

We do not make jokes, we simply watch the LA Times, the Orange County Register and the Coto de Caza Board of directors and report the facts!

OCR Coverage of the Laguna Woods Credit Card Debacle As if Written By Real Journalists

Kudos to the OCR – about time!

June 29, 2007

When we first read the article titled Laguna Woods managers defend spending Managers of Laguna Woods Village defend credit card charges, but suspicion persists, published June 27, 2007, we thought that the OC Register (OCR)reporters did not ask Milt Johns, PCM General Manager at Laguna Woods Village, the tough questions. For example, the article refers to Mr. Jones characterization as expenditures “as "a treat" for the governing board that contracts with PCM”, then go on the state that “the same board that will decide whether to set spending limits” – an obvious follow up question might have been: Is this not a conflict of interest?

Then there is this entry: "Besides food, Johns spent $441 in 2005 at Tiffany and Co. for a gift from the governing board to the retiring editor of the Leisure World News, which was purchased in 1990 by the Orange County Register's parent firm." - we trust this is not a contributing factor to previous OCR "paraphrase" reporting.

As it happens, Mr. Johns, was on the local closed-circuit television station, Channel 6, this morning during the first half hour of the morning "News" program - It will be rebroadcast this evening at 7PM - He states that the OC Register was nothing but lies, attacking reporters, residents, and others speaking out about the lack of fiscal transparency and accountability. Among other things, Mr. Johns said “ people just don't understand ... people don't understand the implications of challenging these expenditures” – wondering if that is a threat?

Mr. Johns has in essence endorsed the OC Register reporting in this case – when the two sides of an issue are unhappy with the reporters, we know they are doing a fine job! – Kudos to the OC Register – we trust this is the beginning of a new age of Community Journalism!

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