Media Watch: Island weekly report wrong on key fact

"Perhaps it is time Zahner's editors direct her to stop peppering "news" stories with her own opinions and so-called "analysis." They might also do well to encourage their attack dog 'reporter' to try clinging to the truth." — “Perhaps it is time Zahner’s editors direct her to stop peppering “news” stories with her own opinions and so-called “analysis.” They might also do well to encourage their attack dog ‘reporter’ to try clinging to the truth.”

COMMENTARY

MARK SCHUMANN

In her tortured analysis of why events did not unfold as she predicted, Zahner claimed that, unlike the voice vote that was taken, a written vote would have been done "secretly." That is simply not true. — Zahner claimed that, unlike the voice vote that was taken, a written vote would have been done “secretly.” That is simply not true.

Vero Beach 32963 City Hall reporter Lisa Zahner’s latest “news analysis” suggests she and her editors are choking on sour grapes over the outcome of the Nov. 4 City Council election. Much could be said about the acerbic and acidic tone in Zahner’s story headlined, “Dick Winger clings to post of Vero Beach mayor,” but the bottom line is the island weekly’s star “reporter” missed the mark on at least one key fact.

Last week, Zahner wrote an “analysis” for the island weekly’s “Insight” section in which she predicted Vice Mayor Jay Kramer was a “shoe in” to be chosen to serve as mayor for the coming year. Instead, the City Council elected Richard Winger to continue as mayor. Kramer was re-elected vice mayor. Winger has said he would like to hand the job off in six months, preferably to Kramer.

In her tortured analysis of why events did not unfold as she predicted, Zahner claimed that, unlike the voice vote that was taken, a written vote would have been done “secretly.” That is simply not true. Had the Council voted for mayor and vice mayor by paper ballot, those ballots would have been public record. Zahner’s assertion that a paper ballot would have led to a different result is pure speculation.

Clearly Zahner, who can often be seen at public meetings chumming up to pro-sale utility activists, and who has been relentlessly critical of Winger, Kramer and Amelia Graves, did not appreciate having her prediction from the previous week blow up in her face. Perhaps it is time Zahner’s editors direct her to stop peppering “news” stories with her own opinions and so-called “analysis.” They might also do well to encourage their attack dog “reporter” to try clinging to the truth.

One comment

Mark: This is sad, even a broken clock is right twice a day. Talk about being wrong all the time. At least if someone was taking bets you would know if you bet opposite of her you would always win.