The watchdogs are ailing, but still successful on guard.
The newspaper industry is among many with declining financial health these economically troubled days. But papers big and small have been recognized yet again for shining the bright light of public scrutiny on those who act in the shadows against the public interest.
The exposed wrongdoers are replete across the nation. Self-destruction abounds. Here or there -- a governor, or a mayor, or a city manager, or a sheriff, or a judge, or a business.
The ailing New York Times just won four Pulitzer Prizes, journalism's highest award, including one for coverage of a sex scandal that resulted in the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
The struggling Detroit Free Press, which, like the Detroit News, has cut home delivery to three days, won a Local Reporting Pulitzer for exposure of the sex-charged text message scandal that led to the resignation and jailing of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
In 1994, the Detroit News won a Pulitzer for uncovering a scandal at the state House Fiscal Agency. The Free Press won one in 1945 for coverage of another legislative scandal.
The Freep's "Mayor's Lies" whistle-blowing won the Public Service Award from the Michigan Press Association (MPA) for "a meritorious public service ... that has made a significant contribution" to community betterment. The other finalists were the Ironwood Daily Globe for its "City Commission" series and the Jackson Citizen Patriot for its "County Road Commission" series.
The Traverse City Record-Eagle won recognition from the Michigan Press Association and others for its coverage and commentary on Meijer Inc.'s illegal campaign efforts against elected Acme Township officials who opposed a proposed development.
Tenacious local journalism across the land often focuses on sheriffs. A paper in Arizona just won a Pulitzer for coverage of how one there endangered investigation of violent crime. The Record-Eagle was recently recognized by the Associated Press for sustained coverage and editorial writing about the suicide of a young woman in the Grand Traverse County Jail.
Daily and weekly papers throughout Michigan maintain pressure on public officials to adhere to open meetings laws. As noted by MPA Executive Director Mike MacLaren, "While some may feel that abiding by open government laws is tantamount to drinking truth serum and being interrogated under klieg lights, it really comes down to this: Taxpayers deserve transparency. Newspapers have been the catalyst for taxpayer transparency for centuries. They will continue to be as they transition from 'news on paper' to digital delivery."
When I expressed preference for news on paper, he said, "I do think you'll see a hybrid delivery model somewhat akin to what Detroit has done. There's a lot of power in print, but those who want it are going to have to pay a premium for it -- there are entrepreneurs who are buying stacks of the print editions and home delivering them. Expect more of that."
He said, "One-size-fits-all newspapers will be around for a long time, but are morphing into targeted content delivered across multiple channels. My larger concern is how, in an increasingly 'niched' news age, good taxpayer accountability journalism will have the self-sustaining resources."
Nourish the watchdogs. Their nips benefit you.
Earlier Chrysler rescue
The revolving door ownership/leadership of today's beleaguered Chrysler is in sharp contrast to that of 1979-80 when the federal government and Michigan provided loan guarantees to the troubled company, thanks in part to then-Congressman Jim Blanchard and then-Gov. Bill Milliken.
In 1983, Chrysler paid off the loans seven years early. As company boss Lee Iacocca said then: "We borrow money the old fashioned way. We pay it back."
Northern aides
Over several decades, governors have had some effective staff representatives based in the Upper Peninsula. One was Tom Baldini, special assistant for Gov. Jim Blanchard and later chairman of the U.S. section of the International Joint Commission.
Baldini, now Marquette-based district director for U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, recently was named by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to the Michigan Technological University board of control.
Granholm also has named Ann Jousma-Miller, who for three years has been Delta County Economic Development director, as her Marquette-based regional director for the Upper Peninsula, effective April 20. She also will on occasion travel to Traverse City, currently without a Granholm regional representative.
Jousma-Miller, a Granholm appointee to the Agricultural Commission, also in the past has represented members of the Legislature.
"You carry so much knowledge from one opportunity to the next," she told Upper Peninsula Business Today.
G.T. Long, of Horton Bay, is the longtime Michigan Democratic Party field representative for the U.P. and the northern Lower. A 1992 candidate for the state House, Long works closely with legislative candidates.
Former Republican National Committeewoman Sharon Wise, of Traverse City, is the Michigan GOP's U.P./northern Lower representative, as well as the Traverse-area representative for U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland.
Wise also is co-chair of the state party. In that capacity, she Friday issued a "Special Alert" and fundraising appeal to party loyalists following press reports that Granholm is among those President Barack Obama may consider to replace retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter.
She said, "Your support can help stop Jennifer Granholm and her radical agenda from getting a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court."
It's not clear how such donations would be used to derail such an unlikely appointment -- certainly not to lobby Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow. But both parties will trumpet any excuse to raise bucks.
George Weeks retired in 2006 after 22 years as political columnist for The Detroit News. His weekly Michigan Politics column is syndicated by Superior Features.
