Accountability 102 (Part III):Retrospective on Finger Lakes Times 305 Coverage

This is the last installment in a series of posts aimed at exploring the way in which media coverage of a public issue shapes decision-making, and the perception of decision-making, in government. We have used the 305 Main Street issue as a ‘case study’ which reveals how poor coverage can actually lead to bad decisions. In our view, the 305 issue could have been resolved-- long time ago, with far less controversy-- had there been full public disclosure by Council, and independent, objective reporting by the local paper.

In particular, the intentions of the various parties and the costs associated with the various options for the building were not given adequate coverage. If the paper had pursued even somewhat more thorough explanations of Council actions in taking on such a potentially costly project, the public might have become aware of the potential liability much sooner. This could have resulted in a creative solution presenting itself earlier. Now, it’s long after the fact and the public feels ripped off and let down by local government.

Furthermore, in not disclosing the preference the paper’s publisher (and editorial board member) Phil Beckley had for demolition of the property, the public would also remain unaware that there was more information on 305 to be found elsewhere. As a result, the paper ran only what Council said, and then Council repeated what the paper ran, in a self-fulfilling manner. That’s a real problem when what’s being said and what’s being printed are not the whole story!

Since Part 1 and Part 2 focused on recent coverage of the issue, we now take you back to the archives and look at stories printed in the paper shortly after the acquisition of the property and the performing arts center plans were made public. All of the articles referenced are available here:

In a March 17, 2005 article, former City Councilor Paul Schroeder characterized the City Council vote to approve the City's acquisition of the former gas station at 305 Main Street, "a favor to the arts council." However, the extent and underlying significance of that ‘favor’ was not discussed. The Times article gave the public the 'who' and the 'what' of the story, but not the 'when,' 'where,' 'how,' and 'why.' No mention was made of the fact that the City went out of its way to take ownership of a potentially contaminated site simply because the Arts Council requested it.

A few weeks later (April 8, 2005), the Finger Lakes Times returned to the 305 story and reported that the arts group had reduced its purchase offer price from $200,000 to $50,000, because "it could be some time before the project [performing arts center] could actually move forward." The Finger Lakes Times did not mention the several additional offers that others made to purchase the building and return it to the City tax rolls.

On June 20, 2005, the Finger Lakes Times reported on the costs of stabilization and cleanup of 305 versus the costs of demolition, as presented at a city council meeting. "According to an April 29 report, it would cost $190,000 to $235,000 to clean up the site and keep the building; or $120,000 to $160,000 to demolish it." However, once it was learned that the City was eligible for over $200,000 in federal funds to stabilize and clean up the building, the local paper ran an editorial stating that the cost was closer to $600,000, although no data was presented to support that claim.

On August 2, 2005, the Finger Lakes Times revealed that the arts council was unable to repay City loans for improvements to the Smith Opera House and negotiations were under way for a bail out repayment plan of only 50 cents on the dollar. "The regional arts council needed to make the adjustment 'in an attempt to get our debt down. There was no way we could make good on the loan,' said Carl Fribolin."

Ten days later, the paper reported "During an executive session Wednesday night, City Councilors met with the Smith’s treasurer Bob Schick and Carl Fribolin, vice president of its board of directors, to discuss terms of the arts council’s newest proposal and how the organization plans to develop the site." Not only did the newspaper not challenge this closed-door discussion (plans to develop a city-owned site are only a legitimate grounds for executive session if the information would substantially negatively impact the value of the land). But the paper also did not address the contradiction between the group’s inability to repay the full amount to the Revolving Loan fund, but ability to purchase a deteriorating building for a 'cultural center.'

When Capraro came on Council in December 2005, he was told at his orientation by then City Manager Rich Rising that it was “council policy” to preserve 305. Within six months, that policy changed, without explanation, until now.