From the editor’s desk: Thank you, Pell City officials, for proving me wrong

Published 6:24 am Friday, July 26, 2013

Reporting.  Writing.  Publishing.  Because of their competitive nature, most journalists could perform these tasks in their sleep if asked to do so.  Working countless, irregular hours for a minimal paycheck, the daily grind can devour the soul piece by piece until nothing remains.  I have known journalists and heard stories of others who quit journalism, resigning themselves to the notion that no one takes their work seriously except fellow journalists.

Like many of my colleagues, I frequently find myself questioning my role in journalism.  Does my work impact the world around me and improve the quality of life for others?  Do readers even care about issues that affect their community?  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Along with my passion for writing, my desire to make a difference and touch lives through my writing motivated me to pursue a career in journalism.

Last September I wrote an article about the Pell City animal shelter (ASPCI) raising questions about the shelter’s management funds received from the public and the city of Pell City.  The story manifested itself after I received word from multiple people in Pell City and surrounding communities that the ASPCI closed board meetings to the public.  In a candid interview, Riverside councilman Bill Cantley expressed concern, saying that as a nonprofit organization, the shelter receives donations from the community and funding area municipalities, and the public has a right to know how their money is being spent.  Others I spoke to shared Bill’s sentiments.

I also spoke to Pell City officials who told me they would look into the matter. I admit that even though I respect Pell City’s leaders, I was wary of their promise.  As a reporter I’ve seen politicians and government leaders fail to follow through and take action when needed.  And until they proved otherwise, I made no exception for Pell City.  I assumed I would write the story, stir up more community complaints on both sides of the issue and then watch as both the city and the ASPCI let the issue die.

But last week city officials proved me wrong.  During last Thursday’s Pell City Council work session, city officials told ASPCI representatives they would continue to withhold funding until certain requests were met.  Mayor Joe Funderburg told the ASPCI that when the city provides funding to any entity, they are to be held accountable for how public funds are used.

Most people don’t care to admit when they are wrong, but I am more than willing to concede this time.  Not only did city officials disprove my notion that little, if any, action would be taken into investigating the matter, they also showed me that journalism creates change every once in a while.  I can’t take full credit for stirring up enough trouble that caused an initial investigation, because I know issues have surrounded the shelter for years.  But I do want to believe the resentment I faced from people who disapproved of the article last year has served a greater purpose.  I want to believe this experience has given me a glimpse of journalism in action.

To the city manager, mayor, council, city attorney and others involved in this matter, thank you for holding ASPCI and any other entity you support accountable for how they manage taxpayers’ money. Thank you restoring my hope in the notion that journalism can influence action.