New publisher takes helm

Newly christened HeraldStandard.com publisher Robert Pinarski says one of his goals is to "make this organization the premiere information resource for our readers with all our platforms." (HeraldStandard.com, July 1).

If this is true, he might want to start by linking his website to several blogs, including the one operated by Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink.

http://blog.votezimmerlink.com/

That's where inquiring minds can find news such as the fact that Dave Madison, the long-time head of Fayette County Children and Youth Services, is resigning next month. And that Jim Hercik, the county's long-time Tax Assessment Office director, is also resigning next month.

Two key department heads submit their resignations weeks ago, that seems like a pretty good story. Or at least something worth mentioning. The search for their replacements is also newsworthy, as Zimmerlink points out in her latest blog post:

So how is it that no action has been taken on the recent resignation notices of CYS Director and Tax Assessment Director and how is it that yet again, Dominic Carnicella, Felice Associates, ignores my inquiry?
Case In Point: Dave Madison via an email on June 4th submitted his resignation with an effective date of August 3rd. Jim Hercik via a memo on June 18th submitted his resignation with an effective date of August 17th. Despite my direction to our HR Department to begin the recruitment process, here it is July 5th and nothing..not even a response from Dominic Carnicella to me. Well perhaps their replacements are quietly being made within the selected political circles.

Astute readers will recall that the recent news of county judge Ralph Warman's announced retirement did not go without notice. It was greeted with a news story and a highly complimentary editorial. Hercik (for sure) Madison (probably) have served in their current capacities at least as long as Warman has been a judge. So what's the difference?

Pinarski might also want to ask if he defines a "premiere information resource for our readers" as one that runs a story on his hiring on page 1, but relegates the story that U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, who one day after providing the swing vote that upheld the constitutionality of the national health care law appeared at a legal conference at Nemacolin Woodlands, to page 3 of the same edition. ("Chief Justice appears at conference," HeraldStandard.com, July 1)

And it was an Associated Press story, to boot!

If the Associated Press knew ahead of time that Roberts was coming to Nemacolin Woodlands the day after what is widely held as the most important decision of the current Supreme Court term, and had the wherewithal to send a reporter, why didn't the local newspaper?