Thursday, May 7, 2009

Haldimand "Donna What's Up?

I have been asked more than once what has happened to my Blog.

As some may be aware I was appointed to the Haldimand County Disaster Relief Committee by council back in March. I signed up to work on the Fundraising Sub-committee, and let me tell you that has kept me hopping! The nine people that I am working with on the committee have been great especially Don Edwards who is the Chair of the sub-committee that I am working on. I am loving every minute of it and the support coming in is very humbling. We have raised around $20,000.00 so far, but still have quite a way to go. It looks like the committee may need to raise around $100,000.00. We will have a solid goal around May 21st when all of the applications are in.

Bob Lidddycoat, editor of the Dunnville Chronicle asked me to cover council meetings for the paper when Karen Best announced that she was leaving. May 4th was my first "official" council meeting as a reporter. Deadlines are another thing when the paper comes out on a Wednesday. I was up most of the night Monday writing.

I was able to meet my "first official deadline". But let me tell you I wondered what the hell did I get myself into here? When the paper came out on Wednesday and I read my articles I was quite proud of myself, as I accomplished what I thought I could never do, and that was write articles that spoke only of the "facts" with no personal "opinions"!

I have been a "blogger" for the past two years and I can tell you that writing for a paper is totally different than blogging!

As a reporter for Council Meetings, I am to report the "facts" with no "opinions". Although I have always said that I blogged the facts about council, I have learned very quickly that "blogging and reporting" are as different as "black and white".

Maybe if I am lucky Bob will allow me do an "Opinion Piece". I am already working on one about my experiences so far with the paper, council, staff and some residents of Dunnville that have commented on my new position with the Chronicle.

So for the past two months I have not blogged much. Believe me it's not because I don't have anything to say, there just seems to not be enough hours in the day.

It is nice that I was asked the questions from those of you that enjoyed my sometimes "colourful" articles.

Thanks for asking!

6 comments:

  1. Donna congrats on your position with the Chronicle. I read the paper last night and you indeed did a good job reporting the facts. I would enjoy an opinion piece from you published in the Chroncile of your personal experiences since you have taken on this position. I am one of those curious people that would love to hear what you have to say about how you have been treated by our of so ever popular council members and the staff that run the show in Haldimand County.

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  2. From one blogger to another blogger you are correct Donna. Reporting and Blogging are two different beasts!

    I read your articles and hat's off to you!

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  3. Do you honestly think that the Chronicle will ever allow you to do an opinion piece Donna? No one is interested in what you have to say about anything! Dream on Girl!

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  4. Well, Donna you and I do not agree on much but I hope this oportunity lets you see the total picture of facts from all sides.
    I wish you well in all that you are doing.

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  5. Corrected for spelling of previous post.

    Well, Donna you and I do not agree on much but I hope this opportunity lets you see the total picture of facts from all sides.
    I wish you well in all that you are doing.

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  6. Congratulations Donna Pitcher!

    My "opinion" is that the Chronicle picked a good person to report on Council facts. Also like the article you did on Dave McLean.

    Keep up the good work Donna. Looking forward to reading your next piece.

    P.S. You are correct when you say that there just are not enough hours in a day. If a day was 36 hours long I could fill every one of them. I'm certain that others could as well.

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