Fair, balanced reporting requires that both sides of an issue be presented. Yet as we have often seen in this reporter's work, the story includes a quotation supporting just one side (the property owner's) of a two-sided issue. In addition, under the guise of reporting on a Planning Commissioner recusing herself, the reporter used the story to present an unbalanced, biased view of an evolving situation.

Editor's Note: An Almanac story last week reported extensively on the views of those opposed to, or with concerns about, the development. The Almanac's coverage of any issue, especially one that extends over a lengthy period of time, should never be judged based on a single story. Readers can judge for themselves by reading this story and our Dec. 6 story at Web Link There is nothing unbalanced or biased about this coverage. The comment by this anonymous poster is an attempt to undermine our reporting and the trust readers place in the Almanac.

[Portion removed.] Town staff did NOT meet with neighbors to develop 3 alternatives, this was developed by staff on their own.

I'm sorry but I strongly disagree with the editor. It is true that the reporter once again has reported one side of the discussion. Where does she quote the opposing views stated at the same meeting from the residential neighbors who live in the neighborhood surrounding the property in question?

When I clicked on the WebLink to read the previous week's story, this is what I received:

The story could not be found in the database
The id number does not seem to be valid
The story could not be found in the database (2)

Unfortunately the article says that the Fire Expert (Flame Mappers) said that the risks were moderate. However if you actually read the report in the document that article links to, there is simply an email from Don Bullard to Laura Russell saying that "I heard back from him and he says....". I, for one, would like to see the actual documentation on this!! Come on, this is a critical statement that Laura Russell is now quoting as definitive. Yet there is actually no documentation including in the packet from Flame Mappers!!!! People, we can do better than this! (I also expect more from the reporter.)