Things you want Steve Lackmeyer to do an update on

[metro]

Hey Steve, what about an in-depth look at the mysterious OCURA? Look at each member with their profile, connections, and such. You do that and you will have really earned my respect. But some things in Oklahoma City are untouchable. The good old boys downtown club is one of them. Instead of just mentioning that there are crazies on the web with conspiracy theories about OCURA, why not an investigative story about the Authority and tell the citizens of OKC what OCURA is all about and maybe press them on their near invisibility, and how that compares with other cities. There's plenty for a good investigative piece. Steve? Uh, hello? Steve?

Agreed, it'd be stuff like this that would cause me to buy a daily subscription. They are touchable, it's just no one has the cajones to get in their real deep and expose them more. Maybe Steve does, but can't because of who his employer is. I really thought he was somewhere on his last article of OCURA, before the "web crazies" comment. I'm sure he didnt want to but pressure was put on him if you know what I mean..

Steve, keep in mind to your response:

How good of a job does OCURA do in being proactive about posting their meeting times, agenda's and minutes.
How much advance notice do they make to the public?
Why don't they have a website in this modern era?
How often do they change their meeting time/location?
How often do they have closed session meetings?
Why doesn't the City Council suggest more transparency?

This is the job of them as appointed officials, NOT the job of private citizens. Seems like the only way I've EVER heard of their meetings are either through you or the day of the meeting they have a one line small text buried in the business section of the Oklahoman.

[BG918]

Does going to newsok.com multiple times a day on my iphone count?

[Steve]

I've never been censored or discouraged in any way on coverage on urban renewal.
The "crazies" column came out of my own head, and nobody else's.

Finally...
How good of a job does OCURA do in being proactive about posting their meeting times, agenda's and minutes.
- I wrote about this. Metro, you might want to subscribe.
How much advance notice do they make to the public?
- two days, as required by law.
Why don't they have a website in this modern era?
- I wrote about this. Metro, you might want to subscribe.
How often do they change their meeting time/location?
- Location? Never. Wait - once, for the Devon Tower designs being unveiled. Time, often, due to quorum problems.
How often do they have closed session meetings?
- Never. They've closed items pertaining to lawsuits and personel matters (nothing recently) just as does the city council.
Why doesn't the City Council suggest more transparency?
- I don't know.

[metro]

apologies

[metro]

Way say you in regards to:

Steve, keep in mind to your response:

How good of a job does OCURA do in being proactive about posting their meeting times, agenda's and minutes.
How much advance notice do they make to the public?
Why don't they have a website in this modern era?
How often do they change their meeting time/location?
How often do they have closed session meetings?
Why doesn't the City Council suggest more transparency?

This is the job of them as appointed officials, NOT the job of private citizens. Seems like the only way I've EVER heard of their meetings are either through you or the day of the meeting they have a one line small text buried in the business section of the Oklahoman.

[Steve]

Metro, I edited while you posted the past two posts. I think I've addressed your questions.

[metro]

Keep in mind, my responses aren't directed at you Steve as much as they are JOKURA, I mean OCURA aka Urban Renewal.


Finally...
How good of a job does OCURA do in being proactive about posting their meeting times, agenda's and minutes.
- I wrote about this. Metro, you might want to subscribe.

Read that article, still feel more light can be exposed, feel it is still job of elected officials, city council, and local media to be more proactive to bring transparency. A few articles not enough to warrant a subscription. I usually hit a few links online since that is where you generate revenue online. I also occasionally pick up a daily at a newstand if I know there is a good article in there (usually yours). I also pick up the Sunday on occasion. As you should know, I read the paper online daily and probably bring more Oklahoman articles to attention than anyone else on this site.

How much advance notice do they make to the public?
- two days, as required by law.
Rarely seen this, usually I see it only the day before in the Oklahoman. Never have seen it anywhere else. As a citizen interested in OCURA, I would like to see them more proactive, transparent and vocal. This is clearly not just my concern as numerous people on this site and elsewhere have voiced same concern. The Oklahoman shouldn't be the only way I can find out about a PUBLIC AGENCY's meeting. Again, why do they do the MINIMUM REQUIRED??

Why don't they have a website in this modern era?
- I wrote about this. Metro, you might want to subscribe.

Read it, not a good exuse by OCURA in my opinion. Not that they are concerned with that.

How often do they change their meeting time/location?
- Location? Never. Wait - once, for the Devon Tower designs being unveiled. Time, often, due to quorum problems.

Will take your word as they often give the MINIMUM NOTICE and usually too late to attend a meeting. Not to mention their less than stellar reputation for changing meeting times on a whim. I've tried to attend several and this happened. I also do remember them changing venues for the "Hill" proposal. Ironic they held it over on Canfields turf don't you think? Canfield = got the winning bid for "The Hill" that ironically is not Bricktown

How often do they have closed session meetings?
- Never. They've closed items pertaining to lawsuits and personel matters (nothing recently) just as does the city council.

Fair enough, but would like to know more about the lawsuits. Question, doesn't Oklahoma Open Records Act require them to disclose this info if one asked anyways?

Why doesn't the City Council suggest more transparency?
- I don't know.

That's the million dollar question, the council is pretty good for the most part, but could use some aggressiveness and proactiveness in numerous areas.

[Steve]

Does going to newsok.com multiple times a day on my iphone count?

Yep! By doing so you're supporting The Oklahoman and NewsOK. Thanks, and I hope I'm providing something worth reading.

[Midtowner]

Metro, information pertaining to lawsuits is mostly going to be covered by attorney-client privilege and is an exception to the Open Records Act.

OSCN Found Document:Open and Confidential Records

[Steve]

Metro, on the Hill selection. For a two-year period I was assigned to doing statewide investigations and was off the downtown beat. Much of the Hill selection process was covered by another reporter. I will not comment on that matter other to say I too wanted to read more about it and was frustrated by the drop in coverage of Urban Renewal and downtown development. And that's when I pitched putting together the beat I have now.
You are correct Metro - you bring a lot of attention toward stories in The Oklahoman. And they are reposted, with permission, on this site. But as are a lot of people in my profession, I'm uncertain on whether that helps or hurts us. Obviously, I'd rather see people subscribing on a daily basis. And in this day and age, I'm not going to worry about whether I'll get in trouble for saying so. I believe a healthy press, even with flaws (and believe me, there are flaws with every newspaper), is better than having to rely on a television infotainment industry that is more interested in delivering news about Octomom than the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority.

[Steve]

Midtowner nailed it.
Now I've got to go out and start nailing down more of that list you created, Metro! Let's call it quits for now on adding more assignments, ok gang?
I really do appreciate this discussion. It flatters me, seriously, to know you do care about my coverage and are invested in what's written and reported. OKCTalk is a great site, nut jobs and all.
-Steve

[metro]

Yep! By doing so you're supporting The Oklahoman and NewsOK. Thanks, and I hope I'm providing something worth reading.

why doesn't my daily iPhone reading count, versus me being singled out to buy a subscription? Regardless you know I appreciate your work and that goes unsaid.

[Steve]

Well, you didn't tell me you were doing a daily iphone. But as I followed up, I still wish all of you were subscribing. There are those who will tell you a news organization is always healthier, and more independent, when it's support comes more from readers and less from advertisers (you can read a lot about this at Poynter Online). Think about that... now I've to go

[Midtowner]

Steve, to be fair, the Oklahoman hasn't ever been a model of independent and unbiased news coverage. You do a fine job though.

[Pete]

As I've stated many times, I don't understand the anger aimed towards The Oklahoman.

Of course it's not unbiased... No newspaper is. Try reading the LA Times every day -- whether you agree with them or not, it's far more slanted.

The Oklahoma does a good job of covering local news, particularly business and sports. These are areas that aren't covered well elsewhere, so thank goodness for that. Yes, lots of 'citizen journalism' takes place on this site and elsewhere but a community still needs a reputable source to go on record and stand behind their reporting. If the Oklahoma didn't do it, there is literally no one else around (apart from some business reporting from the Journal Record and OKC Business) that would.

OPUBCO has done a fantastic job with their web presence, mobile distribution, video production and archives. And I have to say, I don't find their editorial stance that difficult to take with the younger and more progressive management in place.

I personally pay on-line fees to access the Electronic Addition and the archives and am happy to support their business.

Steve does a great job at the Oklahoman, on his blog and on this site. He and his associates perform a very valuable service and I'd hate to see their ranks thinned much further. It's already the case where we have almost everybody talking about the news (opinion) and very few reporting it (checked facts).


And finally, on the subject of investigative reporting... This is always problematic in medium and smaller cities because in order to get access to the people, committees and businesses and thus provide timely and meaningful reporting, you can't make enemies of them.

Therefore, I believe this is the real role of citizen journalists: To ask the hard questions, follow up (like attend meetings) and get involved. If I still lived in OKC, I'd attend every OCURA meeting I could; especially now that they are lobbying to control the Core to Shore development (gulp).

[okclee]

Steve does a great job and I do read the paper copy cover to cover daily.

[Midtowner]

As I've stated many times, I don't understand the anger aimed towards The Oklahoman.

When your profession is constantly attacked and vilified by the editorial staff, maybe you'll understand.

[SouthsideSooner]

As I've stated many times, I don't understand the anger aimed towards The Oklahoman.

Of course it's not unbiased... No newspaper is. Try reading the LA Times every day -- whether you agree with them or not, it's far more slanted.

The Oklahoma does a good job of covering local news, particularly business and sports. These are areas that aren't covered well elsewhere, so thank goodness for that. Yes, lots of 'citizen journalism' takes place on this site and elsewhere but a community still needs a reputable source to go on record and stand behind their reporting. If the Oklahoma didn't do it, there is literally no one else around (apart from some business reporting from the Journal Record and OKC Business) that would.

OPUBCO has done a fantastic job with their web presence, mobile distribution, video production and archives. And I have to say, I don't find their editorial stance that difficult to take with the younger and more progressive management in place.

I personally pay on-line fees to access the Electronic Addition and the archives and am happy to support their business.

Steve does a great job at the Oklahoman, on his blog and on this site. He and his associates perform a very valuable service and I'd hate to see their ranks thinned much further. It's already the case where we have almost everybody talking about the news (opinion) and very few reporting it (checked facts).


And finally, on the subject of investigative reporting... This is always problematic in medium and smaller cities because in order to get access to the people, committees and businesses and thus provide timely and meaningful reporting, you can't make enemies of them.

Therefore, I believe this is the real role of citizen journalists: To ask the hard questions, follow up (like attend meetings) and get involved. If I still lived in OKC, I'd attend every OCURA meeting I could; especially now that they are lobbying to control the Core to Shore development (gulp).

What an excellent post and I couldn't agree more. I'm a subscriber and advertiser with the Oklahoman and I think they do a very good job with the product that they put out.

[OKCisOK4me]

Steve,

Thanks for the personal attack of using me as a model for everybody else. I was not attacking you, but your employer. You would know me on your website as I always leave many comments--AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOY YOUR WEBSITE. The Oklahoman is, sorry, a POS. Deal with that.

[Midtowner]

And finally, on the subject of investigative reporting... This is always problematic in medium and smaller cities because in order to get access to the people, committees and businesses and thus provide timely and meaningful reporting, you can't make enemies of them.

Therefore, I believe this is the real role of citizen journalists: To ask the hard questions, follow up (like attend meetings) and get involved. If I still lived in OKC, I'd attend every OCURA meeting I could; especially now that they are lobbying to control the Core to Shore development (gulp).

This is a hijack, so you might want to split this off into another thread -- your call.

I disagree strongly with this statement. The OKC media used to routinely ask tough questions and offend the powers at be. You may recall Vince Orza (and others) in their investigation of the OIA. E.K. Gaylord nearly landed his ass in prison but for the front page libelous editorials he ran daily against the Attorney General which eventually resulted in a less controversial A.G. being elected who proceeded to drop the investigation.

That just doesn't happen anymore. If there is this supposed need for the daily paper to exist, then it needs to do its job. Aside from Steve and a handful of others, it just isn't doing its job.

The Gazette seems to find sources and do far better work than the Oklahoman. Its distribution and readership is comparable. It doesn't have a problem getting sources to talk.

This is the *Oklahoman.* They are THE newspaper. They don't have to worry about sources drying up because sources drying up is news. Further, if sources dry up, FOI requests are great. Sources won't dry up though because stakeholders and their PR machines don't want to lose control of the newsmaking process even if it doesn't always result in a press release.

The recent coverage of the Coffee situation was pathetic. One excellent example can be found in the linked blog post from The Lost Ogle (which is a fine publication when it's not telling fart jokes).

http://www.thelostogle.com/2009/04/0...-glenn-coffee/

ETA: To be clear, I think Steve does a really, really, really great job. I look forward to his articles/stories and read every single one.

[Steve]

I didn't mean to personally attack you - and I'm sorry if that's how it came out. But it's frustrating to hear people voice complaints and expectations of a paper and then say they never read it.
It's my goal to inform and advance discussions here, so please, if I ever come off as attacking any of you personally, let me know. That's not my intent and it's inappropriate for me to do so.
And yes, I realize The Oklahoman has its strong points and weak points. It's my goal to build on our strong points.

Steve,

Thanks for the personal attack of using me as a model for everybody else. I was not attacking you, but your employer. You would know me on your website as I always leave many comments--AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOY YOUR WEBSITE. The Oklahoman is, sorry, a POS. Deal with that.

[metro]

This is a hijack, so you might want to split this off into another thread -- your call.

I disagree strongly with this statement. The OKC media used to routinely ask tough questions and offend the powers at be. You may recall Vince Orza (and others) in their investigation of the OIA. E.K. Gaylord nearly landed his ass in prison but for the front page libelous editorials he ran daily against the Attorney General which eventually resulted in a less controversial A.G. being elected who proceeded to drop the investigation.

That just doesn't happen anymore. If there is this supposed need for the daily paper to exist, then it needs to do its job. Aside from Steve and a handful of others, it just isn't doing its job.

The Gazette seems to find sources and do far better work than the Oklahoman. Its distribution and readership is comparable. It doesn't have a problem getting sources to talk.

This is the *Oklahoman.* They are THE newspaper. They don't have to worry about sources drying up because sources drying up is news. Further, if sources dry up, FOI requests are great. Sources won't dry up though because stakeholders and their PR machines don't want to lose control of the newsmaking process even if it doesn't always result in a press release.

The recent coverage of the Coffee situation was pathetic. One excellent example can be found in the linked blog post from The Lost Ogle (which is a fine publication when it's not telling fart jokes).

The Oklahoman ? Glenn Coffee | The Lost Ogle

ETA: To be clear, I think Steve does a really, really, really great job. I look forward to his articles/stories and read every single one.

[Steve]

Coffee wasn't my story. If you have a problem with that coverage or anything else, including my own stories, you should contact The Oklahoman's editors.

[Midtowner]

Steve, I have said many, many times that I love your work and think you do a fantastic job. You are far and away the best that paper has to offer. They should realize that you are an extremely valuable asset.

That you are even willing to interact with readers on this level is above and beyond.

As far as contacting the editors, that'd be about as effective as pissing up a wet rope. They have their agendas, they're well aware that many people in the public disapprove. They're entitled to that, but it's going to cost them a lot of money in the long run, IMHO. But maybe not... they're the experts at running a newspaper. Maybe it's smarter to have a biased newspaper full of wet-noodle journalism, press releases and AP stories?

[Steve]

I hate wet noodles - they're bland and they ruin the taste of a good Italian gravy.