So apparently this blog gets read a lot more than I thought it did. My little Buy Local Rant from a few days ago has caused a little stir, and some things I said hurt the feelings of people I care about, namely Nikki and Mary, and I am sorry for that. Though the statement made about PRA contracting a company in Carbondale to make their website was correct, they felt that there were some facts around the story that I didn't know, and wanted me to share them.

Now, I'm all for getting as many viewpoints as I can out there. Nikki May, who was consulted by Jessica Perkins pf PRA about the bid for the website, said that the contract was listed publicly in the Paducah Sun, and that they made an active attempt to involve local companies. In fact, Nikki was offered a chance to bid, but she knew that with ilistpaducah she just didn't have the time for such a large project. The details about what they wanted for the website were pretty specific, such as the fact they wanted it to be a Content Management System, and that five companies, three of them large local firms, showed some interest. She said that the company that had the best proposal and product was the company in Carbondale.

They felt that it should be clarified that it's the Chamber of Commerce, not Paducah Renissance Alliance, that heads up the Buy Local campaign, and that they even went to Chamber of Commerce to make sure they had practiced "due diligence" in offering the job to local firms.

They also wanted to point out that the "Buy Local" campaign is meant to encourage people to consider local companies first, but that ultimately, the best person or company for the job should be chosen.

I know to some people this sounds like I'm back-tracking in order not to offend my friends, and I probably am making more of an effort to clarify this because Nikki and Mary ARE my friends and I know they have the best of intentions. However, I did sit down with them and ask them details about it, if they felt that a bigger effort could have been made to include local freelance web designers, and they felt that it had. I don't know about that, and if anyone has an opinion about it, I'd be glad to hear it.

This is a small town, and there are going to be conflicts and differences of opinion. There is no way I'll always be able to cover all sides of an issue, but I admit that I didn't bother to go after the other side of the story. I admitted in the first piece that I didn't have all the facts, and that I was going to get more of the story before I went to print. I see this blog as a place for me to voice opinions and work out ideas and get feedback before I put something in the paper - as well as a place for me to fuck off and say stupid shit.

This is also one of the biggest reasons I never wanted a job with a "real" newspaper - I don't like to have to be objective. I want to rant and rave and say whatever I want, and I'll continue to do so. I sacrifice a lot of advertising possibilites for that reason. At one point before the mag even started I wanted to do it without any advertising at all, because I didn't want to have to worry about what anyone thought. But even if I did that, I still have to drink in this town. I want people to enjoy Bazooka, I want it to be fun and entertaining and honest. I have a responsibility as a journalist to be fair, and I will try to be. Hey, I'm still less biased than Fox News.

I have to face the fact that I am a media personality around here now, and that some people think my opinion counts for something. I don't know why, you all know I'm crazy. I will still be offensive and smartassy, I'm sure. I like to have a balance between enthusiasm and criticism, and I think I do it well. For example, a few months ago I printed a piece that satirized the Artist Relocation Program, because dude, it was funny. But this last issue I offered someone a chance to offer some suggestions about how to make it better.

I don't want to be one of those people who is only here to be bitter and bitchy and point out flaws without offering a suggestion on how to improve, or if that's not possible, at least offer other people a chance to share their opinions. I'm all for it. Share away. But I don't want to be a wuss about it, either. It's still my paper and my website and I'll do whatever the hell I want. But, one of the things I want is to be fair. Except when it comes to people I can't stand - and then, sorry dude, you're on your own. Should have been nicer to the girl who owns a newspaper.