Turko is better late than never

Yellow journalism is a type of reporting that is sensationalist, flamboyant and even irresponsible at times. I never named Mr. Turko’s show directly. However, he did trespass onto the Citrus property and by all the reports I heard, did a very one-sided show. He could have talked to people who live here and found out that the Citrus property was in much better shape since Larry Gabele purchased it than it had been for the previous decade and they have continued to improve the property.

It is true that T.V. news shows, now more than ever, have to be “entertaining” in order to get ratings. I understand that. I just don’t like it when people are unfairly a target.

I was told that Mr. Turko interviewed Mr. Gabele and then used very little of the interview. I can’t verify that because I wasn’t there, but I would have to say it’s not at all surprising and this is one of the reasons why network news is losing market share to other forms of media.

Mr. Turko, thanks for sending in your letter encouraging people to support the Citrus Plant owner. That’s very generous of you.

Thanks for continuing to monitor the success of the plant. It’s nice that you feel you had some hand in making it a safer place, and maybe you did. Interestingly, it has been vacant for about 15 years and the Sheriff’s department says there have only been a handful of complaints. Since the development is due to start soon, it probably would have been more appropriate to make this an issue 10 or 12 years ago. No matter how much extra fencing goes up around a property, there is always some teenage boy that will find a way into it and if there is a problem with school kids, the parents also need to be more responsible.

By the way, I think shows like yours have their place and can bring to light things that need changing. I would just ask for more evenhanded reporting, cause… it just ain’t right!

If anyone wants to read the original opinion piece I believe Mr. Turko is referring to, go to thevillagenews.com and do a search for “citrus plant” or “hype.”