Media Coverage of Donald Trump

           Over the several months, it seems the media has been focused more on Donald Trump than any other candidate. At least every morning when I am watching the Today show, or CBS this morning, or when I am scrolling my Facebook feed, there is something about Donald Trump.

Now, to give the man credit, he is honest about his opinions and is so far one of the smarter business people in the world, he is even worth $4 billion. Now comes the criticism. While Trump is honest about his views, he is sometimes politically incorrect and just wants to cause uproar to divert the attention to himself. 

           He has no real background in any of the topics/ areas a presidential candidate needs or should have. Now granted most politicians talk their way around the questions, but still give creditable information. Trump however just ignores the question, talks around it without giving any piece of relevant information, or just states it was an unfair question.

          For example, after the August 6th inaugural Republican presidential debate, Trump went off on a tangent stating: “The questions to me were not nice. I didn’t think they were appropriate. I thought it was an unfair question. They didn’t ask those questions of anybody else. So I thought it was an unfair question.”

           Another example of how Trump talks his way around and out of a question is when CNN's Jake Tapper asked him how he would handle ISIS, Trump responded, "we've got to hit ISIS hard ... hit their source of wealth, which is the oil." Then when Tapper tried to get specific details from Trump, he said, “I hate to say specifically because ... I'd hate to give up all my information up front.”

           Lately the media has been taking note of these aspects and characteristics of Trump's campaign. One reason they are taking note is largely due to his recent hosting of Saturday Night Live.  The show had it's biggest ratings last night since 2012. This itself is one of the many prime examples of how Trump uses the media to his advantage. The public seem to like him for a few different reasons, one of which is he's not afraid to speak his mind, he's a different and unique type of presidential candidate. The media, however, should take what they have been reporting on, such as the topics covered in this post, and start researching more into Trump's views and plan's and start grilling him more on these subjects. If more of the media do so, then perhaps he may give some more insight and information. 

2015 List of Journal Packages Cut (Library Beat Update)

2014 List of Journal Packages Cuts (Library Beat Update)

Comcast Cable Internet Experience

In spring of 2012, I was setting up an account with Comcast Cable for internet service. I selected the current promotion of "$29.99 for six months." According to the information I was given and was told, I would pay the $29.99 a month for six months, and then the regular price of internet would take into effect. I had repeatedly asked the representative that the rate after the six month period would in fact be the final rate. I was informed by the representative that it would be the final pay rate.

After the six month period, the rate went up to $44.99 a month. I had assumed from the information that I was given that that was the final rate. I thought to myself that it was a fairly decent price for internet. After another six months of the $44.99 rate, I received a bill for $65.99.

I was puzzled when I opened and reviewed the bill. I checked my bank accounts and past payments to confirm I had not missed a payment. After confirming the information, I called the costumer service number for Comcast Cable to ask why the rate had went up. The representative informed me that the $44.99 rate was the second part of the promotion and that the $65.99 rate is the final rate. I calmly argued I was informed by the previous representative when I signed up that after the first six months the final rate would kick in. The representative informed me that I was misinformed and that there was nothing she could do to assist me.

 I replied that every phone call in a major call center is recorded, as my partner works at Directv and knows this information and that if they were to bring up the call and listen to it that they would hear him state the information I had claimed to have been given. I also stated that if Comcast was not the only cable internet provider in my neighborhood and if I did not need internet for school, I would not have it. She apologized and asked if there was anything else she could do, I told her no and hung up.

To investigate the matter, I would pull up the finer details of the internet promotion and read them carefully. I would also called the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint and to see if any others had made similar complaints as well. Another action is I would call the City of Huntington and the West Virginia Attorney General to also file complaints and to see if there were similar ones filed. I would document my findings with my personal experience and propose a news story to my editor to proceed more with a more investigative story or write up an editorial with using the information I had gathered and have it published in the opinion section of the newspaper.

Worksheet of Infographic (Library Beat Update)

Library Budget Infographic (Library Beat Update)

March 19th City Council Work Session Notes

On Thursday, March 19, 2015 the City of Huntington City Council met for work session.  About 31 people were in attendance; this included three Huntington Police Officers and the mayor. A few members not in attendance. The following notes are what we briefly discussed at the meeting:

-Pledge

- Reports and reminders from the mayor:

·      Introduction of Rick Edgar, new manager of Big Sandy:

o   Been on job for week.

o   Plans for big summer events

o   Making connections in tow

o   Multiple ways of recruiting

Concern with new billing system at sanitary board

Problematic with bills: 60 days behind, trying to catch up, loss and lack of communication, no one will have the charge of lateness on the bill, a letter of explanation will be sent out, 12 months to pay, no late fee, no termination, meeting next week to further discuss the matter, should have been handled differently, new billing cycle to catch up, not to worry, talking to everyone that calls in, software issues, were told the current software is what was needed and we had to adapt, not going to happen next time, citizens are the customers, high compliments to the staff for taking care of issues.

#5: Business sidewalks and the removal of snow issues- businesses need to keep them clean and clear for safety reasons.

#6: Amending sections: charter- brings in line with current legislation: Chapter 8 Article 4: 8-24 is now 8-8.

#7: Payment of municipal fees for members of council: have the fees and bills withheld from members of council’s wages until it is caught up

#8: 9-51 ordinance fee-exemption for low income renters, clarifies that landlords of low income renters can claim exemption are taking advantage of this policy, needs to be rectified.

#9: Planning commission and house keeping ordinances/charters to be caught up with current code

#10: March 9 meeting- recommended by state: 3 changes to ordinances:

o   Addition of definitions and terms

o   Clarification on elevations

o   Attributing on preferences

#11: Resolution of City Hall renovations, 100^th anniversary coming up, volunteer work on construction saved money, take up of floorings and removal of glue costs, still have over $55,000 for renovations in foundation funds, agreement with one crew that worked on Visual Arts Center to remove flooring and glue at $21,000, 1985 was last renovation yea on building.

#12: Douglas Center Update: Mr. Runyon, finance director, volunteers as president of Ebenezer Outreach Clinic, 3 clinics in building, dental, medical and pharmacy, multiple tenants, non-profits, Marshall to purchase to operate, to add offices as well, proceeds to pay off loan, adds $130,000 back into the organization’s budget, approved transaction in April, 50 year designation has to remain with the historical integrity of structure of building, debt service of $780,000, responsibility of building fall to Marshall and the state or city, Outreach will continue to pay it’s share of the rent.

#13: General Fund Budget: Saturday a resolution to be made for 2015-2016 to be adjusted to add revenues and expenses for two items: collection of $265,000 extra, $455,00 more for extra paving making budget $1 million, rest of budget proposed stays same. NOTE* Reads different because of state revenue: adopt to meet language of Charleston, special assessments, elections in line wiggle room for more adjustments to budget, 27^th is when it is due.