The Towson Times published on 1/11/2010 an article on the issue of redistricting related to the new West Towson Elementary School.
Click here to read the article.
Janice Moore, our Rodgers Forge community association president, was quoted in the article.
Below is a message from Janice Moore, president of Rodgers Forge Community, Inc..
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I would like to apologize to the Rodgers Forge community for my recent statements in the Towson Times in which I strongly criticized the school redistricting process. During part of my interview, I erroneously believed I was speaking off the record to Loni Ingraham, whom I have known for years. I would have chosen my words more carefully if I had known that she planned to print them.
While I am upset that the Rodgers Forge community was not asked to participate in the redistricting committee and I feel our voice has not been adequately heard, I do not wish to create a divisive atmosphere. I sincerely hope we can all work together to keep our community intact, strong, and inclusive. It is also my hope that my comments will not antagonize members of the boundary committee or Baltimore County Public School officials and negatively impact our community when it comes time to choose a redistricting scenario.
Thank you,
Janice Moore
President, Rodgers Forge Community Association
Janice, I support you.
ReplyDeleteI think the quote was out of context and not necessary to be quoted for the author to make her point.
You do a great job representing RF.
Thank you for all you do, and keep up the great work!
What context should it have been taken in then?
ReplyDeletePerhaps in the context that RF was being excluded? I think the author of the article went too far to quote that--I'd think a journalist would recognize that a comment like that would overshadow the message and be a distraction.
ReplyDeleteDo you think every word Obama says is quoted? C.mon.
Janice, I think you have done and are doing a wonderful job. This is not an easy process through which to help a neighborhood navigate.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the first time I have heard someone say that they did not think they would be "quoted" the way it ended up being printed. If I were you, I might be hesitant to speak with reporters from now on unless it was under the stipulation to approve the final article! I think you were wronged.
No credible journalist is going to let a source approve or even read an article before it's printed. And I think the RFCA should continue to speak to the press so ideas can be shared. People should just keep in mind that everything they say to a reporter is on the record unless specifically stated otherwise. Basically, don't say anything to them that you wouldn't want, literally, splashed on the front page of a newspaper. But declining to comment is usually not a good way to go.
ReplyDeleteAre you suggesting the journalist bears no responsibility? If she heard it, she can print it--unless it's clearly off the record?
ReplyDeleteThere are standards and ethics in journalism--even when things are on the record.
I believe the committee that was commissioned to work on this project would have received the input from RFCA had both sides made the honest effort."Shock and Awe" journalism is best left at the check out lane in the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteMight I contribute a thought? Did the reporter come to you Ms. Moore or did you go to her? Either way, it is the journalist's responsibility to capture the emotions of any situation with the quotes she uses. She did so. Our words need to be impeccable when speaking to a reporter. Lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteI think most reporters would probably have used the same quote if it was said to them, unless the source said, "This is off the record: I feel like we're being treated ..." One could argue the story could have run without it, but it's not the journalist's job to not stir up controversy or make a source look good (or bad). I'm not faulting the journalist or Janice; I'm just saying a reporter is not going to let a source approve a story ahead of time.
ReplyDeleteI think most reporters would have used the same quote so long as they expected never to get another interview or quotes in the future.
ReplyDeleteThat speaks poorly of reporters to think that they'd all print such comments--even if they are quotes.
Good for you Janice Moore at least you told the truth about how you feel!
ReplyDeleteEnough already! How about those Ravens!!!!! Let's see more purple in the neighborhood people!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgain with the vague comments. What is RF being excluded from? If anything, they are being included in the plans for a new school. Also, Janice said what she said, and the reporter is right to bring it up. It speaks poorly of people who would want to sensor reporters freedom of expression --even if the reporters are expressing things you don't personally like.
ReplyDeleteI would expect more professionalism from an elected Board President. Maybe someone else should speak on behalf of RF. Residents should have the right to express their opinion regarding this matter, regardless of what the board president dictates as the correct option.
ReplyDeleteOff with her Head!
ReplyDeleteJanice is looking out for our best interests. The apartments are mostly transients so why should the Rodgers Forge Community Association advocate for including them? They don't pay association dues and they don't pay property taxes. Lately the apartments have been nothing but a drag on property values so why should we encourage families to settle in them when their owners want them to be off campus housing for TSU?
ReplyDeleteI am a Riderwood parent and do not live in Rodger's Forge. With that said, I'd like to give my "outsider's" opinion... take it or leave it.
ReplyDeleteI felt that Ms.Moore's quote about Riderwood and Hampton was unfair considering that officials at last Wednesday's meeting made it clear that the purpose for the rezoning was SOLELY to alleviate the overcrowding at Rodger's Forge, and that Riderwood and Hampton would be addressed with Hampton's future renovation 3 years from now. Everything the committee has done has been in order to relieve Rodger's Forge. I agree that it would be a shame to split the Rodger's Forge community and I said so at the meeting, BUT parents from the other schools cannot fight Rodger's Forge's battle for them. If the school would rather be slightly overcrowded in order to keep the community together, then they need to tell the rezoning committee.
My main reason for chiming in is my complete disgust at how MS.Moore has been treated by your community. She may be an "elected official" but she most certainly is not your paid employee. She is sticking up for your community and trying to do what is best for it. I suggest that everyone that has made a negative comment or provided "constructive criticism" should quit whining and volunteer to serve as your community's president. (I'm guessing it's not a job that people are lining up for.) Then perhaps you'll think twice before being so nasty.