COMMENTARY
“The question mark, misplaced in Long’s letter, belongs squarely on the desk of the Press Journals’s editorial page editor, Eve Samples. Before publishing a defamatory letter, why would Samples not at least make an attempt to seek Winger’s side to the story? Why simply publish what appear to be lies?”
MARK SCHUMANN
This morning’s edition of the Press Journal included a letter to the editor asserting recently re-elected Vero Beach City Councilman Richard Winger made money on the (2004) hurricanes, and “hoped we had more hurricanes.”
The letter writer, Janine Long, went on to claim she “watched” Winger at the polls Nov. 6, and heard him saying the recent property tax increase was “acceptable because we are rich?” (Long chose to end her declaratory sentence with a question mark.)
Today, Winger said Long’s claims are pure fabrications. He said he lost many thousands of dollars on damages caused to his home by the 2004 hurricanes. He also said he did not make any of the statements Long claims to have heard. Certainly during the debates and candidate forums Winger did not make statements anything like Long claims she heard on election day.
The question mark, misplaced in Long’s letter, belongs squarely on the desk of the Press Journals’s editorial page editor, Eve Samples. Before publishing a defamatory letter, why would Samples not at least make an attempt to determine the veracity of Long’s claims? Why simply publish what appears to be lies?
If Samples is going to publish such fabrications as Long served up in her letter, then the Press Journal’s editorial page should include a prominent disclaimer explaining to readers that letters printed there may include not just debatable opinions, but outright lies.
Essentially, Long accused Winger of defrauding his insurance company. It is one thing to take exception to an elected official’s policies, but it is quite another to accuse them of a crime. Those who make, and/or publish such accusations should be prepared to prove their claims in court. Florid’a libel laws protect even elected officials from such egregious charges.
Indian River Guardian 
Sad that the newspaper would print the letter from a person with a distaste for upstanding individuals who really want to ‘serve and protect’ Vero Beach from becoming Lauderdale Treasure Coast. I don’t believe this person. There were people who made money off the hurricanes of ’04–many of them were contractors. That doesn’t mean they defrauded anyone…..that I know of.
Cathy, I believe Mrs. Long’s implication was that Mr. Winger received more in insurance reimbursement that he had in actual losses. It is, he says, a completely false claim. He said that, if necessary, he could resurrect receipts to prove Mrs. Long is not telling the truth. Shame on the Press Journal for publish this letter without at least attempting to verify the facts.
Why is there always unsubstantiated reporting? Someone at the PJ, as you say, should have caught this. It does a disservice to our community and wastes our time considering it. Mr. Winger has more important things on his mind.
The PJ will resort to any new low to taint a politician who they don’t like. Nothing new here.
Hopefully Gannett leadership will set for Samples and her colleagues higher standards. I certainly believe Samples is capable of better than this.