The above letter is a perfect example of a positive impact produced by reporting bad news. Melynda L. Beverly wrote the letter because she is concerned with how Sanford is viewed and wants to continue to change its image for the better.
I applaud her efforts and letter, but how can we learn what is “good” if we don’t know what is “bad.” If I had chosen not to write that story or that headline, it would not have changed the fact that four women were arrested for public indecency inside a bar in Sanford.
The “GIRLS GO WILD” article is not celebrating the arrests, but letting readers know that Sanford still has its problems.
The Soapbox Derby, as Beverly points out, is just one of the many reasons why Sanford is a unique and great place to live.
I understood its place in racing HISTORY, that is why it was placed on the front page above our masthead to attract readers to our sports section.
The Herald can’t avoid publishing “bad” news if it happens in Sanford even if it is viewed as “poor editorial choice.”
It was that editorial decision that made Beverly take an initiative to fix our community’s problems with her letter. I hope more residents will follow her example and create more discussions about our city and The Herald’s coverage.
Glenn Judah
Editor of The Sanford Herald