Article, headline misleading

Getting the facts right is essential to good reporting, especially when the Advertiser sees fit to place the article on Page 1. Your Oct. 30 front page story on a lawsuit and unrelated vehicle purchase erroneously refers to “attempts at mediation” between the borough and its Department of Public Works. The facts are there has never been mediation. The borough suggested mediation to resolve differences and the DPW attorney agreed, signing a notice of impasse on Sept. 16. A mediation session has yet to be scheduled by the P.E.R.C. appointed mediator. Meanwhile, on Oct. 30, the DPW filed its lawsuit in Superior court seeking a trial by jury and punitive damages against the Borough. Again, there has been no mediation to date.

he purchase of a new truck was requested by the DPW. It was not done “in spite of litigation” as reported; it has nothing to do with mediation or litigation. Rolling this vehicle purchase into the same headlined article only serves to mislead your readers.

Jim Kilduff
Franklin Borough Administrator