Outsourcing Election Coverage to the Local Papers and Blogosphere

The major papers in town, the Boston Globe and Boston Herald, have not run a single story, as far as I can tell, on the Allston-Brighton District 9 City Council preliminary election or campaign. David Bernstein of the Boston Phoenix searched the archives confirming this. The Globe did publish an editorial endorsing Tim Schofield, but it strikes me as odd that they can enter an endorsement on something that doesn't even warrant a story by their reporters.

I added a little comment to Bernstein's Talking Politics blog post:

For the record, the Allston-Brighton TAB has had regular coverage, the Boston Bulletin ran at least one story early on, Bay Windows has covered it, and the Boston Phoenix ran your story a couple of weeks ago on both the At-Large and District 9 City Council races.

Adam Gaffin of UniversalHub points out some blogosphere coverage of the election campaigns, including a link back here to Brighton Centered.

The Boston Globe managed to outsource its coverage of the September 11th election results to one of the campaigns.

It's increasingly obvious that the city papers are outsourcing their coverage of local news to the local papers -- and the blogosphere. What might be next? Outsourcing the coverage to India?

Boston Bulletin Reports on BC Neighbors Forum:

The Boston Bulletin ran a story last week about the community meetings of the Boston College Neighbors Forum, focusing on the issues of undergraduate dormitories and athletic facilities.

There is a small error in the reporting:

While Pahre said the [BC Neighbors Forum] supported artificial turf for the athletic fields, they opposed the idea for the stadium field due to issues with flooding, drainage and pollution.

Actually, the group didn't directly address the general question of the use of artificial turf for any athletic fields, but certainly did not support "artificial turf for the athletic fields" within the Brighton Campus. What the attendees did support was continued informal use (e.g., intramural) by Boston College of the fields in their current state (i.e., with natural turf).

Boston Bulletin Editorial: Allston-Brighton City Council Seat is the "Hottest Race"

The Boston Bulletin newspaper published an editorial today about the various Boston City Council races, including Allston-Brighton:

The hottest race, however, may be the District Nine seat up for grabs in Allston-Brighton. The decision last week by City Councilor Jerry McDermott not to seek re-election, led to a last minute flurry of interest among those considering a run. Currently collecting qualifying signatures are Timothy Schofield (who ran unsuccessfully for the seat previously held by Brian Golden), Paul Creighton, Benjamin Bloomenthal, Gregory Glennon, James Joseph Jenner, Allessandro Alex Selvig, Brighton Main Streets Director Rosie Hanlon, Mark Alford and Mark Ciommo.

That so many candidates are already active is no surprise. But what may be surprising is the potential for a re-alignment on the council.

Boston Bulletin: Interview with Outgoing Councilor McDermott

The Boston Bulletin ran an extended interview yesterday with outgoing Allston-Brighton City Councilor Jerry McDermott.

He gave a description of life as a City Councilor:

"For the past five years, it has been get up, shower, shave, go to City Hall, get out, go to meetings and, by the time I get home, everyone is already in bed," he said.

Anybody still want to run?

He continues:

"God knows, I’ve fought the battles. I’m not going to say I’m punch drunk, but I am a man who feels his adrenalin... I took my punches, but I’m leaving on a high note."