I'm not from Lowell, but as an observer I have liked what Bernie's been doing so far. (I have to admit, I never really paid much attention to Cox until the whole thing blew up 6 months ago.. and then I was more interested in the interactions between counselors, manager, local businesses, citizen advocates, and the press).

I do want to bring up an issue for you, though. I'm not alone in wondering this, but do you not feel that getting so close to the public officials (golf outings, lunches, etc) makes the public wonder whether you can fully take on your role as investigators and reporters (ie 4th branch of gov't)?

This is not a challenge or attack. I am just trying to understand the type of relationships that editors and reporters make with public officials and how they help or hinder what gets reported to the public.

You know that there are those who will say that "he's a friend of Campagini or Wallace, so nothing bad will be printed about him", etc. How do you deal with that image of implied favoritism?

Shawn, you raise a good point about the jourrnalist-public official relationship and it is something that does not have a ready-made answer or that is learned in Journalism 101. Journalists have to develop sources and that means developing a trusting relationship with the people who are the newsmakers. Certainly, reporters and editors must consider playing it safe - keeping an arm's length relationship - with some people they cover. Some public officials have a really difficult time dealing with the press, and won't let down their guard no matter what. Afterall, these citizen politicians aren't aren't expected to be communications savvy when they get elected as councilors, selectmen or school committee members. If they stay around awhile, they loosen up a bit. When I first started as a reporter 30 years ago in the Midwest, I'd regularly go out and have a beer and catfish with the mayor.. The ground rules were simple: he'd tell me what was going on and if he didn't want me to report it, I'd tell him not to disclose it because I'll likely find out on my own. We built up a good relationship. Did he like all the things I wrote? NO. But we understood the different, but important roles we played in getting the truth out to the people of the small town. And we did become friends and respected each other. Today, it is much different. Reporters who practice gotcha' jourmalism and politicians who push agendas are in direct conflict with each other. The stakes are higher. It is harder to go have a beer with someone or play golf with them without people wondering if so-and-so is being influenced or controlled. Trusting relationships have to be the basis for good government and good reporting. That will never change. It doesn't mean reporters and politicians have to become friends, although years of dealing with people do create deeper ties. To play in a charity golf event with City Manager Bernie Lynch or former City Manager John Cox is a way to get to know each person and to build a relationship that will lead to mutual understanding. I doubt if either man could be corrupted by a round of golf or sharing a beer with a reporter or editor, and I doubt if any reporter or editor could be sweet-talked into going soft on uncovering the truth because of a professional bond with a politician. Journalists must maintain high ethical standards to succeed and that means know when to draw the line. Some people accuse me of being "too friendly" with John Cox when he was city manager. If I was, it never influenced the stories that ran in the newspaper about his problems with the city council that led to his departure or the recent stories about Lowell's budget woes. I disagreed with Cox several times on city issues, yet we could still talk on the phone or take a lunch. I am not shy to meet any politician anywhere to break bread and converse. That is my job. It comes down to understanding the difference between right and wrong in any relationship.