DGreport.com

Thoman here.  My name got tossed in the hopper for the Comprehensive Plan Ad Hoc Committee, and no one objected tonight, so it looks like I’ll be pretty wrapped up in that for the next several months.  An updated Comprehensive Plan is a big deal, and I’m all in on this effort.

So the bad news is I won’t be posting here on whatever hits my fancy anywhere near as often…that’s good news too, right?

When EJ sent out the call for a little help in April of 2009 to make DGreport more than a time-crushing one person effort I said I think I can help, I hope I can help, and I’d do what I can to help it be so.  141 posts later, EJ’s given me continuing free rein to write about whatever interests me.  I know, I know…boy what pathetic interests.  Instead of writing about sexy new cars I write about buying an 8 year old Accord.  Instead of big picture stuff I bored again and again into budget meeting details, municipal code enforcement and development issues, and bored some readers to tears.

A hyper-local blog like DGreport is at its best when there’s involvement and some variety.  You guys can’t expect EJ to keep just her shoulder to the stone alone.  I’m politely and respectfully calling some of you out; time to give a little back.

Meat, you said you’d contribute and you tossed in a few nicely done posts, all net, no rim.  Few is the key word. Amp it up, Studly.  Heck half the time your comments should be posts.  Bob Lemay, you’re a great guy with a clear head who can write from the heart.  So why don’t you?  Liz, your focus broke a story about incompetence and waste on the county water commission.  How are they going to dig out of that hole?  There’s not a post or two in there that we’d all read?  Ryan, I read your stuff, I don’t know how you can type so much so fast, but you should at least cross post here.

Anyone else?  Cawthorne, you see leading indicators on livestock and foodstuff commodities way before anyone else; you could give us a heads up once in a while where that market might be leading us?  Schofield, a little photo journalism on your next foray for some pad thai might be interesting.  Chad, you’re into local football.  That alone was reason for 13 or so posts.  there’s plenty more of you that can contribute if you simply decide you will contribute.

They don’t have to be long involved stories, just put something into the basket on EJ’s desk.  None of you have to shoot for 141 posts.  Just try one.  A little one.  Then maybe another one.  See how it goes.  Give a little back.  Have some fun.

Depending on why you do it, being a citizen journalist can have its pitfalls in the Faustian bargains one might make for access.  Here there’s no such deal to be made but it’s peer review at it’s most basic.  You’re not a shill or a sycophant unless you choose to be, and then you’re on your own.  Make your points, keep it clean, and your credibility will be what it will be.  DGreport has sifted out most of the trolls, stoopids, and pot-stirrers.

Wait I have one modifier to that: EDC President Greg Bedalov has given me info in the past that I’ve been happy to tout because it’s news that impacts how we’re doing as a community.  It’s usually good news springing from good effort by his team, and the C of C, and the Downtown Management Group.  So there, I’m a shill and a sycophant for the village’s economic well-being.  I’ll be hyping the Ice Festival for sure; I’ve gone every year and it’s great how many people come out.  Did I mention the weekend of February 13 & 14 if you head downtown you’ll find that Love Is In The Air?

Like I said above, I’m not stopping as a contributor to DGreport, but I’m saying up front I won’t have as much time if this goes well.  I know some of the other nominees, and I think it will go well, I hope it will go well, and I will do what I can to help it be so.

- Mark Thoman

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