The Island News is my “go to” paper for good reporting and good journalism. I always enjoy reading it.
However, I was appalled that you would allow the purchase of a full-paid “advertisement” that was a blatant character assassination of a highly respected member of the Beaufort community. I refer, of course to DIck Stewart’s vindictive and petty attack on Cynthia Jenkins, Executive Director of the Historic Beaufort Foundation. The rants of the “retired” founder of 303 Associates reveal the character of a bully who has met his match and can’t stand it. Historic Beaufort Foundation is thriving, with tremendous growth of its membership, is holding the City and this developer accountable, all in an effort to protect the treasured National Historic Landmark District. It is a tough battle, as Stewart and his allies on the Chamber of Commerce, and on certain committees and councils in City Hall are very vocal, and are also threatening.
We all know the many good things that DIck Stewart has done for the community over the years, and those should be his legacy, of which he can be very proud. What has reduced him to this point? He will now be remembered as a mean, narcissistic developer who sought to destroy the character of the city that he professes to love. That letter that you published was not sent to Ms. Jenkins; she read it in your newspaper.
I realize that because this was a paid advertisement, you felt obligated to publish it, but aren’t there any journalistic ethics that advise against publishing such personal attacks on unelected private citizens?
This letter is not meant for publication. I just needed to “vent”, as I am a long-time supporter of HBF, as well as a past president of the Board of that organization. In writing his hateful letter, Mr. Stewart has done his reputation much more harm than good. I am not writing on behalf of the board. If there is an “official”response, it will come from the Chair of the Board, although I am not sure it deserves a response.
Thank you for reading this..
Again, NOG FOR PUBLICATION!
The Island News is my “go to” paper for good reporting and good journalism. I always enjoy reading it.
However, I was appalled that you would allow the purchase of a full-paid “advertisement” that was a blatant character assassination of a highly respected member of the Beaufort community. I refer, of course to DIck Stewart’s vindictive and petty attack on Cynthia Jenkins, Executive Director of the Historic Beaufort Foundation. The rants of the “retired” founder of 303 Associates reveal the character of a bully who has met his match and can’t stand it. Historic Beaufort Foundation is thriving, with tremendous growth of its membership, is holding the City and this developer accountable, all in an effort to protect the treasured National Historic Landmark District. It is a tough battle, as Stewart and his allies on the Chamber of Commerce, and on certain committees and councils in City Hall are very vocal, and are also threatening.
We all know the many good things that DIck Stewart has done for the community over the years, and those should be his legacy, of which he can be very proud. What has reduced him to this point? He will now be remembered as a mean, narcissistic developer who sought to destroy the character of the city that he professes to love. That letter that you published was not sent to Ms. Jenkins; she read it in your newspaper.
I realize that because this was a paid advertisement, you felt obligated to publish it, but aren’t there any journalistic ethics that advise against publishing such personal attacks on unelected private citizens?
This letter is not meant for publication. I just needed to “vent”, as I am a long-time supporter of HBF, as well as a past president of the Board of that organization. In writing his hateful letter, Mr. Stewart has done his reputation much more harm than good. I am not writing on behalf of the board. If there is an “official”response, it will come from the Chair of the Board, although I am not sure it deserves a response.
Thank you for reading this..
Again, NOG FOR PUBLICATION!