Sunshine laws critical to keeping government in check

Community newspapers, like El Defensor Chieftain, are the last refuge of unfiltered America – a running documentary of the stories of real people. We’re like the homemade bread served at your table every week.

The process of getting the newspaper in the hands of our readers is a bit daunting. Miss any part of the process and it could spell disaster.

One thing remains certain — we will publish news that is fair, interesting and unique to our readers whether it’s in print, online as well as other forms of digital media.

With all the skeptics in today’s world, El Defensor Chieftain remains dedicated to reporting local news. Socorro and the communities within Socorro County remain our priority. Joining us in our coverage are the communities of Catron County too.

We also will not print fake news in print, online or on social media. What purpose would that serve? If there is an issue that comes up, we will work to get the answers before we print the story or post it to our web site. It’s our mission to publish fair and accurate news.

Last week, we almost missed attending a very important meeting. We didn’t find out about last Monday’s school board meeting until our office manager noticed the agenda posted on the Socorro Post Office’s bulletin board when she went to mail a few letters. She rushed back to the office to tell us about it. The notice, according to the markings, said the meeting was posted on Friday, June 21.

The same thing happened a week prior when the board conducted a special meeting to discuss Cottonwood Valley Charter School budget and the resignation of the athletic director. Once again, the agenda was posted on the Post Office bulletin board on Friday, June 12.

This poses a very interesting question: Why doesn’t the school district inform the newspaper of record of these special meetings? Or didn’t they want us there?

Yes, they posted it in a public place and put a very small notice on their website. Name me one person that looks at the school’s website every day or visits the Post Office daily?

This wasn’t the first time this has happened during the past school year. Remember the notice placed on the Socorro Post Office bulletin board on October 23, 2023? The notice was printed on a regular piece of white paper, with no time for the meeting specified. It read “On October 30, 2023, there will be a special School Board meeting to address specific business matters.”

Why is it that our local school board feels it needs to bypass informing the newspaper of record when they are having a special meeting? They can’t email us the agenda? They can’t pick up the phone and tell our Editor a special meeting will be conducted?

You’re a public body and the law requires public bodies to conduct their business in light of public examination. By and large, most of our local government entities do make efforts to comply. They occasionally fall short, but intentional violations designed to shut out the public are, generally speaking, rare.

In the case last week, we felt the school board not notifying its newspaper of record, they fell short of their obligation.

We could have notified the public on our website, Facebook page as well as our Instagram accounts of the special meeting.

I might note our website page has far more interaction than the school’s website.

A strong community newspaper is built on various opinions, ideas and values. We are the watchdogs. We’re going to ask tough questions.

We know we won’t be liked by everyone … and that’s Okay. I’ve always told my staff we aren’t the community’s best friend … we’re their candid friend who points out the warts and triumphs of the communities we serve.

Through the years, our opinions, ideas and values have served us well. Whether you like it or not, it’s our job to inform the sovereign citizen.

So, here’s the deal: I don’t care how you read our product. Just know every day our staff is working hard to give our readers the best possible news coverage in our community.

Whether that person writes news, sells advertising, or works as customer service agent — we know every individual here at El Defensor Chieftain is making a difference in our community.

We love what we do — and that’s what has made El Defensor Chieftain successful for the past 156 years as the oldest weekly newspaper in New Mexico.