June 28, 2018
John Costa, Managing Director
Western Communications, Inc.
Box 6020
1777 SW Chandler Ave
Bend, Oregon 97708
REF: Editor Robin Fornoff, The Triplicate continuing unfair practices
Dear Mr. Costa:
I write you this morning with deep concern over on-going unfair editorial practices by the Triplicate and its editor, Robin Fornoff. The last time we communicated was November 16, 2016 when I wrote you I was discontinuing my subscription to The Triplicate for I perceived as similar unethical practices. I am disheartened to say there has been little change in the editorial face of The Triplicate since my re-election to the Board of Supervisors. Monday evening June 11, I received a call from reporter Tony Reed asking for my reaction to the Petition of Intent to Recall me by a Mr. Jesse Davis, a member of the Cannabis Working Group. I told Mr. Reed I was unaware of this action and had no comment until I was able to read the Petition. Tuesday’s June 12 Triplicate carried a front page story of the Intention to recall two supervisors, 5th District Supervisor Bob Berkowitz and myself.
In the following days, and unknown to me, two separate Recall efforts, one for 2nd District Supervisor Lori Cowan and another for Crescent City Mayor Pro Tem Heidi Kime have been initiated by separate groups. It has been nine days since the Cowan Recall and five days since the Kime recall, yet the Triplicate has completely ignored this ongoing story. Not only is the news not on the front page in the Triplicate but it is not even published. The Triplicate has published the legal notice on Cowan, as was paid for by proponent Wes Nunn and Saturday plans to publish the Kime notice by proponent Ed Edwards yet here have been no news coverage in The Triplicate on either of these two stories. Both Eureka television stations KIEM and KAEF have aired BOTH stories, and the coverage of the Berkowitz/Gitlin Recall, yet the Triplicate has been AWOL from reporting the Cowan/Kime Recalls. Where is the fairness in such absence of reporting? Sadly, this is not a stand-alone instance of prejudice by The Triplicate, but a clear pattern over my six plus years in public service. Such unfair practices speak poorly of The Triplicate and its editor, Robin Fornoff. I need not remind you, Mr. Costa, the role of perceived objectivity by a local newspaper is vital in a small community like Crescent City. It is shameful and disappointing such blatant bias has and continues to be a trademark of this once-respectable newspaper. The absence of an objective newspaper leaves me no choice but to seek immediate redress.
I call for the immediate dismissal of editor Fornoff for his reckless and irresponsible practices.
With deep regret and disappointment, I remain
Most Sincerely,
Roger Gitlin
District 1 Supervisor, County of Del Norte
Leave a Reply