Brian said:
I want to thank Robert for the opportunity to contribute to the Post. He has done incredible things in his young life. This will likely be Robert's most challenging effort but he is more than up for it. Good luck!
Phyllis said:
During the two years that Robert has resided in the 1st District, he has made many friends here. He also has made a special effort to get around to various neighborhod meetings and to be attentive to our needs and concerns. I don't recall many of the old timers doing that.
I understand Robert's resignation from LB POST and I agree with the many who believe that no coverage of the special election is an over reaction. Surely there is someone on staff who report without prejudice.
Good luck Robert.
christopher said:
this is an over-reaction. why couldn't you cover his campaign, just be honest and fair. so long as he is not involved in the day to day ops... no need to try and be TOO PC, this is a great source of news for the city, without covering him, we might not find out anything about his campaign!
John S said:
With all of these posts about Mr. Garcia anyway, you may as well cover it! But you need to ensure that the other candidates get coverage as well, including 15-year resident of the 1st District and life-long LB resident Rick Berry. Garcia may be a favorite among the "political establishment", but he's barely lived in the 1st district 2 years and now he wants to represent them on the city council? The term of office is longer than his residency in the 1st district. Why wouldn't the district elect one of their own residents who has been through the good & rough times with them and knows what the district really needs?
Helen said:
While I applaud Robert's decision to step aside, I hope the Post will reconsider its decision regarding election coverage. Post readers rely on the Post for news about their city and the special election can be covered with the same objective standard the Post has always provided.
Robert - I wish you every success and look forward to your serving the city you love as a member of the Council!
Octamorph said:
Although I find Roberts decision to step away from a news media laudable and in keeping with his character, I think that not covering the election is doing the readers a disservice. News articles by nature should be balanced, and I have no doubt that they will be. Editorials and endorsements are another story, and it's understandable that a medium whose cofounder is running for public office would want to abstain from publishing them.
Good luck, Robert, by the way! Although I'm not in your district, I wholeheartedly support you.
neighborhood leader said:
does this mean, anyone that works on his campaign will not have any ties to "special interest" groups?
Richard said:
Thanks for the honesty, and Robert's integrity. Please at least run a headline where people can leave comments about the race. I have no need for EDITORIALS presented as NEW by "Press Tell'em nothing" ...so I look to the Post for what's going on around town.
Margaret Brewer said:
Robert's decision is indeed indicative of his personal and professional ethics.
He is a shining example of ethical decision making at its best.
I ask that those now making policy for LBPOST.com consider the impact of its decision not to cover the City Council race. Consider the impact on the stakeholders if we no longer have the in-depth coverage and perspective you provide. Continuing to provide that coverage is the right thing to do.
Gabby said:
I am not a fan, at all.
Bill Orton said:
I think it is appropriate and commendable that Robert has opted to take a leave from LBPost. With the gentleman having made that personal decision, I would say that the site should continue to give coverage to the race. I have no doubt that the site can provide balanced and fair coverage and this is one of the few places where the campaigns can deliver a message to voters.
John B. said:
Robert's distancing himself from daily operations at the Post is appropriate but I don't believe the Posts decision to avoid covering the Special Election is necessary. The Post is, among other things, a local news outlet and many look to it to be informed on important local issues. The appropriate answer to any potential conflict of interest allegations where Roberts candidacy is concerned has already been offered by Roberts ethical decision to step away. That he has done this should now permit the Post to continue to provide the excellent local coverage that it always has, both on the upcoming special election and on all other topics. For those die-hards who will still insist that a conflict exists, theres always the usual disclaimer. Either way, I wish Robert well in his candidacy and sincerely hope, assuming he is elected, that he serves both his District and our City in general in the same professional and ethical manner that he has demonstrated at City College, the NPNA and the Post.
Jose said:
TRANSPARENCY! Great move Mr. Co-Publisher Garcia. You have co-created a very good on-line source of news and this type of move will be a breath of fresh air when you join the council. GOOD LUCK!
Sander said:
While I understand this decision, I'm not sure I agree with it entirely. My main concern is that, with the level of coverage available from other local media outlets, we may be the only source for insight, commentary, and factual reporting in the City.
When Mayor Foster ran for his elected position, he resigned his post but didn't insist that Edison stop providing electricity to the City.
Municipal election coverage, both from a news perspective, and via the columnists, is a critical component of what we do. I feel confident that our editor, and our columnists, have the integrity act fairly, and to do a good job. I believe that our readers think so too, otherwise they wouldn't bother to visit the site.
Josh Lowenthal said:
I have worked with Robert for several years on various community endeavors. He is certainly one of the most ethical people I have ever known; this decision does not surprise me.
I plan to work enthusiastically as a volunteer on his upcoming council campaign; he will be a phenomenal leader during this time of need.
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