If I ever appear grumpy, let me tell you why.
I don’t write about negative things that I or the staff here at the Star Eagle experience. We don’t name names when we feel wronged and we do our best to be upstanding, respectful, and professional. I don’t try to make people look bad in the paper. Sometimes, maybe too often, I go too far to protect people.
That said, there are some experiences I feel are important to share.
My sister, my father, and myself have all been harassed, yelled at, or called liars, crazy, or mentally ill by city officials—to our faces, behind our backs, and online.
Last week a group of city employees walking down Main Street saw me taking pictures for a story and yelled out to me. I heard references to me as “the crazy editor” four times. It wasn’t funny. I don’t care if it was supposed to be a joke or something else. It was hurtful. My father has struggled with his mental health throughout my entire adult life. People at city hall have been heard making jokes about my father and his struggles with mental health. Struggles that started and progressively got worse after he had a stroke, the kind that most people do not recover from, the same summer that he acquired the then New Richland Star.
Others online have made Facebook posts and comments about my father’s mental health. It isn’t funny. This community is all too aware of the consequences of untreated depression.
My father required emergency services multiple times last year. He told me that he waited until Monica and Chris were on call because they were the only two members he could trust not to tell others about his experiences.
That is disturbing and incredibly disappointing. And what’s worse— my father is not alone. I have heard far more stories than I care to admit from residents in New Richland refusing to call 911 for fear of town gossip. HIPPA is there for a reason—to protect sick people and those in need.
If city employees are even one percent responsible for a local resident not calling 911 in a profession where absolute discretion is not only expected— it's the law— maybe those individuals shouldn’t be working for the city.
I have been trying for three weeks to write a column assuring readers of my confidence that ambulance services are okay. At this time, all I have to say is that I am very worried. The actions so far by the city council, in regards to the ambulance department, have not instilled confidence that this issue is properly being addressed, let alone getting better.
Should the ambulance department just contract out through North Memorial in Waseca? Would that give local residents more confidence dialing 911?
I think the majority of area residents would prefer ambulance services remain in New Richland. Our local EMTs are competent. Even those EMTs who don’t like others within the department still stand by the fact that those individuals are good EMTs and can properly administer emergency services— when they respond to a call. I don’t have the answer, but the inappropriate behavior within the department and city hall needs addressing.
At the most recent council meeting, one council member said, “I’m missing basketball for this s***.”
Another member was visibly upset that the council meeting took as long as it did.
One city employee said they behave like children.
Another employee told me, “It’s us [city hall] versus 1,200 people.”
Small town politics usually get personal, but it’s the job of elected officials to put those feelings aside and represent the community that elected them.
Recently I received an email from the city informing me that they were telling people that what they were reading in the paper regarding ambulance services was not correct. My only response was that I would like the paper to be as accurate as possible. I encouraged them to help me do so by providing further details explaining what was wrong about my reporting. After an hour-long meeting with a city official, I was told they had nothing for me to correct.
This is not the first time Star Eagle reporting has come under fire from city hall. Certain people have used my family’s experiences as a way to discredit my father, my sister, myself, and this paper. It’s easier to call people names than be held accountable. Allow me to share another experience.
I vividly remember, a few years ago, my sister receiving a call from city hall about one of her council articles. From my chair across the room, I heard this person berate my sister, telling Jessica she was an imposter— demanding a correction. Another department head in the background yelled so loud I heard it, through the phone, across the room. My sister, in tears, asked what was wrong and what she should run as a correction. The response: no correction. Nothing was incorrect. They just didn’t like what she wrote.
It’s the job of the press to report the news accurately and unbiased. I’m reminded of the Ben Franklin quote Margaret Engesser so often used, “If all printers were determined not to print anything until they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.”
It pains me to write about this. I know the people working for the city. They are good people. The current council and city administration are trying, but these problems, this divide, will take a long time to heal.
I am proud of this community. We have dedicated residents and community leaders. People can be unbelievably kind. Here are some of the incredible messages we have received from Star Eagle readers:
“I know that you’re thinking, ‘How did I ever get myself into this work?’ These days a newspaper is a rarity. Let me say that people are so lucky to subscribe to the Star Eagle.”
“I finally finished reading the new Star Eagle. The paper was packed full of interesting and timely information. I just have to let you know how much I enjoyed all of the articles.”
“Best paper in southern Minnesota.”
“The whole town needed to hear what was going on. They don’t all say it, but you are an asset to the town of New Richland.”
“You are all doing a great job. Eli, you make a great editor.”
“Wanted to tell you that you really do a great job with the Star Eagle. Also I have enjoyed Eli’s stories very much. He does so well!”
“You have a natural talent for writing, Eli. Keep on working and doing right. People who count on you know you and what you stand for.”
“I loved the article about (such and such).”
“The Star Eagle is the highlight of my week.”
“I’m sorry for the lateness of my check. I was in the hospital. Hate to lose one of the finest small town papers.”
“Thank you for continuing to provide us all updates on life in NR! Much appreciated!!”
“It is wonderful that my home community still has excellent local journalism. Appreciated the work you did this year. I know it isn’t easy, but it is so important. Thank you.”
Sometimes I wonder if people really want us to continue the newspaper. And then I reread some of the above messages. I think I found my answer.