After winter's Big Blast

(originally posted Feb. 16, 2007)

As I write this edition of my on-line column about decision-making in the newsroom, the skies are bright blue and the sun is shining. But Jay Berschback is forecasting more weekend snow although nothing that would approach the blizzard conditions we experienced earlier in the week.

In my last "Open Window" I included viewer email that cautioned us not to repeat information or to scare people with our coverage of weather events. I explained that our mission is to provide accurate, credible and thorough coverage. We have also received email from viewers who shared very kind evaluations of our coverage of the Big Blast.

Dr. Mark wrote to thank the 13abc staff for "their commitment to excellence, the community and viewers. As former Detroit station viewers, we have been charmed by your coverage. They are tireless in their scheduling additional newscasts when needed and are sophisticated enough to balance the daily news instead of simply looking for the worst in people."

Another Mark wrote in to say that "you are the only station in Toledo that properly covered the UT campus closing and opening at 11:30am. Thank you for getting it right---again."

Carol chimed in by saying that "Channel 13 reporters are doing a FANTASTIC job reporting to viewers the status of the current blizzard. Thanks to all your employees for their dedication to keeping your public informed."

Carol's email raises another point. In my last column, I singled out one of our photographers by name after he went on the air to narrate his video from Ottawa County. A few folks emailed to let me know that they felt strongly that all our photographers and live truck operators who worked in the cold needed to be recognized here by name. So---here they are!

Thanks to Chris Henderson, Todd Gaertner, Phil Antry, Gary Lance, Andre Grimes, Shane Gerome, Justin Billau, Brian Jagodzinski, Joe Tibbals, Kevin Beining, Brian Sobolewski, and Rich Gratop. Our live truck technicians who worked the storm included Jason Klocko, Jim Dussel, Adam Weintraub and Seyed Mirmajlessi.

These are the unrecognized people who are outside in the storm and risking personal safety and comfort to bring home the story of the Big Blast.

I hope you all have a very safe weekend!