Was The Fire Chief Resigning A Story?
I don’t often get into the comments section of 250news, it is an opportunity for the posters to have their say, that is at least unless I feel strongly about the matter in which they are protesting.
Last week John Lane suddenly, and unexpectedly, resigned from his position as Fire Chief in Prince George. The criticism that we received was that the "scoop " wasn’t a story and who cares. After you set aside the other members of the media who complained it wasn’t a story and for good reason, they didn’t get it, you get down to the facts in the complaints. Is the resigning of the Fire Chief in the City a story of importance?
Well for those that may not be aware, the Fire Chief’s position is a senior position in the city. If Lane resigned on his own, so beit, but therein lies a question of importance the shareholders, namely you and I, should know. Did Lane go on his own or was he asked to resign? there is, quite frankly, a hell of a difference. A hell of a difference I say in your upcoming tax bill.
Comments
Yes, it is a story. And will continue to be. Thank you, 250, for keeping taxpayers informed about where our money is going. For a power monger like Lane to go down, there must be “just cause”.
How could it not be a story, with all of the unfavourable events involving PG Fire Resuce, of late?
“For a power monger like Lane to go down, there must be “just cause”.”
What, exactly, makes him a “power monger”? Is it simply because he rose to a position of authority or do you know him personally and are therefor qualified to comment on his character?
Regardless of who the Fire Chief is. When he leaves, voluntarily, or otherwise, this is news. Pure and simple. In fact if he retired, and went on pension, it would be news.
The cost to the City is an added factor, and we the taxpayers are entitled (at some point) to know the reasons for leaving, and the cost.
City Hall acts like they are part of the CIA when it comes to keeping secrets.
The problem lies in the description, if Lane did not leave the position by his own accord then the press release should have said that he was “re-leaved of his duties” or ” city feels need to head in new direction” Then the tax payer would know the man was pushed and did not jump and a severance package would be forthcoming.
If the word resigned is used it should come with the expectation that the person is leaving to pursue other opportunities, health reasons, etc. Then other than items such as overtime and accrued vacation there would be no golden parachute.
With the ever growing communication and citizen engagement department at city hall which will soon add speech writers you should expect a clear and concise message that would eliminate all rumour and speculation.
Is it a story?
If he resigned for personal or family reasons, it’s nobody’s business and there’s no story.
If he resigned to ‘take the fall’ for other activities recently reported, then it is newsworthy.
Since no reason was given, then the rumours will fly, and that in itself has become ‘the story’.
For me, it was the title of your story on his resignation “City’s mum on ….”
I expected more from your story than just that he resigned after 2 years. He resigned. People do that all the time. I personally don’t believe that the public needs to know why he resigned. His resignation could have been announced when the new fire chief was appointed/hired.
Yes Ben, the Chief resigning is news. There was a time when weddings, engagements, births and deaths were news too as we were once had real communities not virtual ego diatribes. Some posters like to read themselves because they can. Not because they have valid points. Keep reporting Ben. True journalism is going extinct.
Don’t get me wrong; I love this site and the work that Ben Meisner has done and is still doing. I miss his radio show.
We need more people like you Mr. Meisner and I feel quite confident that negative comments aren’t going to distract you from doing what you feel is right. Maybe you know more about the Chief Lane story but couldn’t print it yet. I look forward to hearing more about this, if there is a story there.
The question I have is why write a story that doesn’t answer any of these questions? It just puts out a lot of speculation, that happens a lot here.
Whether he resigned for personal reasons, or not is immaterial. Fact of the matter is, he is leaving, and he has been replaced. That is the story. The rest of the story will no doubt come at a later date.
Not stating why someone resigned, even if it is relatively generic such as “resigned to take on a position in another city”, likely means that it points to a personal issue either in private life or a job related issue.
The result, with a person in a high level public position which can effect direction of the organization, is speculation and gossip.
It is the way of society.
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