For the past several weeks, we have published separate posts as part of our 
"Suggestion Box" series. This series was intended to give readers the opportunity to submit comments, recommendations and questions to the Dorchester Village Board, the Dorchester School Board, and the Dorchester Area Community Association. Today we re-open the "Suggestion Box" -- this time for ourselves, the staff of the Dorchester Times. We want to know your thoughts about our publication after five months and 113 stories.
What do you like best about the Times? What do you like least? What would you do differently and what would you keep the same? And how do you suggest we improve our product?
As we have stated from the earliest days of this publication: The success of the Times depends on the feedback from our readers. We value the input of all our readers.
Now, fire away...
I'd like more information on some of the businesses in Dorchester. Maybe the Library and the Candle Shop that is next to West Side Saloon. I don't know the hours or what they offer.
ReplyDeleteI love the history items, and the surveys are fun, too!
ReplyDeleteMore hard news if possible.
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing a great job. Keep listening to the word on the street and to your readers comments and I think there are plenty of ideas for articles and discussion topics.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest thing you could do to improve the site would be to develope a "Code of Conduct" for those who want to make comments. There is no reason people can't make their comments in a civil way without disparaging other readers, other citizens, the Dorchester community or other communities.
As it is now, I can hardly wait for the next village or school board elections. If you leave it wide open you will have so much mudslinging you'll be up to your necks in it.
If they violate the Code, the comment doesn't get posted. You should not have to be responible for editing out the dirt.
Monitoring reader comments is a difficult job, Brentski. Early on, we established a code of conduct (no cussing, no personal attacks, no ethnic slurs, etc.). We have stuck by that code.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as you've noticed, some comments we receive are only negative and add nothing to the discussion at hand. That's life. We do not want our publishing decisions based on what we think is relevant. That's treading on dangerous ground.
In the end, we hope the novelty that comes with leaving disparaging, anonymous remarks will wear thin -- and that the Times will be a forum only for thoughtful, constructive conversation. We are optimists.
Thanks for your thoughtful input.
I am for the school, but i was fiquring out, how a family of 4, that makes about 40,000.00 can support it, my calculations, with a house payment 6000.00 a yr, taxes 2500.00, lights 1000.00, aquila 1000, tele 850, house insurance, 1500.00, car insurance 1500.00, groceries 4000.00, car payment 5000.00, eating out 2000.00, fixing car 2500.00, gas to work 3000.00, medical 3600.00, dental 250.00, clothing 4000.00. This is the figuires of a family of 4, would spend in a year including daycare if 2 kids are in it 3000.00, this might be a low fiqure. The total is about 41000.00 a yr. I might of left out something, I would like a new school, I just never had put the figures together. I hope this doesnt make anyone mad, but I hope we all can afford it. Also know one has ever said why we didnt get any other bids from other companys to compare with.
ReplyDeleteDorchester should be very proud of the "Dorchester Times". You have something very special and time consuming. There is several of us from Friend who read the Dorchester Times and I have it listed under my "favorites" and check it daily. What it has taught me is that all small communities face the same small town problems and you have your "ins & outs". Look deep enough and we are all the same.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work - Dorchester Times!
It's pretty said when we know who you are.. It's not hard to figure it out in a small town..
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you "Friend from Friend." We appreciate your kind words.
ReplyDeleteNext, "Anonymous" -- we recognize that it takes much effort to be so curt and negative. But we love you nonetheless.
And we know you love us, as well. Why else would you leave us six comments all written within a minute of one another? (We know that you're the author of all the messages, primarily due to the same misspelled words repeated throughout.)
We rest assured that you do not know who any of the Times staff are. But we have a good idea who you are: you're the same person whose comments are continuously edited and rejected because you love to attack your fellow Dorchester residents on a personal basis.
If you're the young person we think you are, we strongly suggest you grow up quickly and change your perspective.
Life goes by far too quickly to maintain such a bitter outlook.
You must be a smart person then.. Way to go.. I hate to tell you don't know who I am because for one thing i'm not young but good try I will give you a point for that one.. I guess your team lets out information..
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous who calculated his expenses for the year. I can't imagine spending more money on my car than my house. You need to get a cheaper car.
ReplyDeleteI have serious questions about anonymous' figures above. Who around here spends $2000/year to eat out? Try eating out once a month. Also, try higher deductables on your auto insurance. Try buying a cheap used car. Try not spending $4000/yr. on clothes. Try saving and investing instead of just consuming like a typical, Wal-Mart-loving, Chinese-goods-buying American. This is good advice whether you have to pay an extra $15/month for the school or not.
ReplyDeleteyou need to get your figures straight to, it's been from $15, to $17, to $20 a month. who ever left these fiquires, wasnt trying to make a point to be nasty, try being more polite.
ReplyDeleteWe're not exactly sure what the school bond issue has to do with the Times and how it can be improved. But after several consecutive comments, we will remind readers: please keep your comments on topic.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the candle shop--I stopped and talked to LeRoy Vyhnalek and he's getting ready to open it. Right now the hours are whenever you see the door open (usually 8:00 - 11:00 am as he's still working fulltime). He has candles, craft items, gift items and many wooden shelves and cabinets that he has made. It's very nice...it'll be a great addition for our downtown. If you really want to see what is available, I'm sure he wouldn't mind you calling and making arrangements to stop by. Anonymous...hopes this helps.
ReplyDelete