Reporting with ‘honesty and integrity’?

Posted Tuesday, November 22, 2011 3:00 am

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To the Editor:

I am very interested with all aspects of our community. I am an avid reader of both of our newspapers and a follower of both online websites and Facebook accounts. I love to follow threads and comments made by the many fans of both newspapers about issues in Gonzales, no matter the side I support.

Recently, I have been very disturbed over the amount of coverage and negativity given to a certain case in Gonzales by the Gonzales Cannon. I do not feel that there is any need to call people vulgar names or cut them down for a lack of education over simply expressing their opinion in a public forum.

I would however, like to bring to the attention of the citizens of Gonzales, an issue that has not been reported with the "honesty and integrity," and that the Cannon seems to want to distort the facts about.

On Sept. 6, 2011, there was A Notice of Federal Tax Lien filed on the Gonzales Cannon Inc. through the county clerk's office of Gonzales County. This is public information and nothing that is privy or private.

My posts on Facebook in no way stated anything beyond what is public record, and certainly didn't warrant me being banned from the Cannon's Facebook page. If they ban everyone who doesn't like something that's in their newspaper, who will be left to read it? No one agrees on all issues 100% of the time.

My upset is in regards to a thread posted by the Cannon about myself. It seems to me that for a newspaper that touts reporting with "honesty and integrity," then HONESTY AND INTEGRITY should be what is reported, and a chance to respond to the vicious attacks on my character should have been given. To not allow someone to defend themselves should make readers question their statements.

The Cannon posted on their Facebook page:

"In response to the vicious comment posted by Ms. Jones on her page:

The Gonzales Cannon Inc. is working with the IRS to resolve a bookkeeping issue concerning payroll taxes during our first few months of publication. As a routine measure, the IRS filed a lien on the Cannon, but this in no way compromises or inhibits our operation: it is merely a formality. As with many other individuals and businesses, the lien will remain while we finish paying off the amount involved. An agreement on that resolution is in place, and the Cannon is taking care of its obligations. The Cannon is in financially sound shape and is in no danger of shutting down; we are in fact continuing to grow. Ms. Jones and anyone else attempting to spread that lie make themselves liable for legal action. - Dave Mundy, General Manager -W.R. Low, President of the Board of Directors."

I have done nothing wrong. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have never stated anything that was not public information. However, the statement from Mr. Mundy and Mr. Low about suing sure sounds like an attempt to bully an average citizen into silence. Sure doesn't sound like "honesty and integrity" to me.

Thankfully, I am able to say that this average citizen will NOT be bullied into silence. So to correct your post, Mr. Mundy and Mr. Low, since it is all about "honesty and integrity," let's be fair.

According to the Notice of Federal Tax Lien, the bookkeeping was not an issue during the first few months of operation, but for ALL of 2010. The total amount of the lien is $14,000, which does not include penalty and interest. This doesn't seem like a mild formality to me. I in no way stated that the Cannon would be shutting down or wish that it would. The best way to have good business or news is competition.

So if it's all about "honesty and integrity," when will the Gonzales Cannon begin using their own motto?

Britney Jones

Gonzales