I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to convince people that I - and the newspaper - really try to be fair in our coverage.
Not everyone buys it.
People charged with crimes always say we fail to get their side of the story. They insist the incident that got them in hot water - and which is almost always detailed in the affidavit police file in making an arrest - paints the situation in a false light.
Labor tiffs prove to be very difficult. I am sure the people at Crozer-Chester Medical Center think we are in bed with the union that is going to strike against them for two days on Sunday morning. They have not said much, instead preferring to do their talking at the bargaining table.
Then there's politics.
In Delaware County, there is always politics.
For as long as I can remember, the Republican Party in this county has believed we would like nothing more than to see them knocked off their lofty perch - and that we slant our coverage to do just that.
Meanwhile, we often don't make county Dems all that happy either. They believe we are beholden - if not in the pocket - of the powerful county GOP.
A lot of people in this state are watching the battle for the vacant 26th District state Senate seat created by the retirement of Republican Sen. Ted Erickson.
Aside from the governor's race (that is still a race isn't it? Someone please tell me it is since I'm on record as saying the embattled Mr. Corbett is going to win re-election) the 26th state Senate race might be the most high-profile race in the state. It's expected to set a record for spending for a state Senate race. Gee, what a surprise, in politics money talks.
On Tuesday, we ran a story on a bit of a dustup concerning a new campaign ad being aired by Republican candidate and County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle, who is running against Democrat union leader John Kane. It features a local woman thanking McGarrigle for his work in helping save the local refinery business when it was teetering on the brink of collapse.
Full confession here: The ad features several front pages of the Daily Times proclaiming success in saving the refinery jobs.
The McGarrigle campaign issued a statement saying they believed the woman's husband was being harassed by union leaders, who are backing Kane.
That's when the serious finger-pointing began.
Kane denied any such pressure was put on Stephen Devenney for his wife's role in the McGarrigle ad.
We attempted to reach Devenney and his wife, but were unsuccessful.
It didn't take long after the story hit the street on Tuesday before I heard from Devenney. He didn't think we had been fair, that we had "jumped the gun" on the story since we hadn't talked to him and didn't have his side.
So I made the same offer I have made countless times since I assumed this job: Give me your side and I will run it.
Devenney's letter denying any harassment took place appears today.
We also followed up on the story with new comments from the two campaigns.
Yep, election season is heating up.
In Delaware County, politics is a contact sport.
I'll be the guy in the middle, trying - unsuccessfully according to my critics, to be fair to both sides.
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