What do you think of this info?

[graciegirl]

http://lakecountygov.info/2010/03/31/lauren-ritchie-hypocrite-4/

This link was sent to me by someone who no longer posts on TOTV. I have no opinion on it.

[graciegirl]

and this...

http://lakecountygov.info/2008/07/11/lauren-ritchie-and-her-new-boss/

I don't know what "the right side of the lake" is but it definitely has a negative opinion.

I just read it completly...should this be in Political?

[Lou Card]

http://lakecountygov.info/2010/03/31/lauren-ritchie-hypocrite-4/

This link was sent to me by someone who no longer posts on TOTV. I have no opinion on it.

I love when someone tells the reason behind the negativity. Good article and I thought there was a screw loose the first time I read an article written by Ritchie.

[golfnut]

gg, u don't have an opinion, someone call a Dr....gn

[cabo35]

It would appear the layers are being peeled off the onion by those who are not involved in the "bond issue" in Lake County. I understand TOTV posters who say, "don't attack the messenger", but, when the messenger assumes the role as the main source and dispenser of information under the guise of journalistic integrity and credibility, her bias and real agenda need to be exposed. To that end the posting of GG's research and articles are timely and accommodate that process. If you read GG's links with an objective eye, you will find they reveal much. One caution is that the sources clearly have their own biases but as an informed TOTV participant, you should be able to sort the wheat from the chaff.

I know cut and pastes are discouraged, but this gem from GG's link needs exposure.

If you have never been a target of a Lauren Ritchie column, it can be best described in the following fashion. Just imagine someone comes to you and asks you to make a donation to the March of Dimes and, for whatever reason, you are unable to do so. In Lauren Ritchie’s world she would write a story slamming you for hating children. In short, you can take bits and pieces of any situation and twist them into a negative column about anyone. That has been her method of operation for years. For too long, Lauren Ritchie has been allowed to make outrageous accusations without challenge. Citizens for Better Government hopes to offer equal time and the truth.

To bring the thread back to relevance in this forum, evidence exists that Ritchie's animosity toward the Villages and the Morse family predates any bond controversy. Here is a teaser and a link for the detail from 1998.....12 years ago. Yes folks.....12 years ago.

June 21, 1998 I want to respond to Lake County Editor Lauren Ritchie's May 24 column regarding The Villages. Ms. Ritchie was very unfair and erroneous and I feel she owes the Schwartz/Morse family, as well as the residents of The Villages, an apology.

For the rest of the story......http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-06-21/news/9806200400_1_lake-county-villages-schwartz

Here's another Ritchie hatchet headline on the Villages. We Villagers are such a greedy lot....according to our friend Lauren.

Greedy Villages fires first salvo in water warCOMMENTARY - LakefrontMarch 11, 2007|By Lauren Ritchie, Sentinel Columnist

Starting to see a pattern?

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-03-11/news/LRITCHIE11_1_reclaimed-water-drinking-water-villages

Have we ever asked ourselves why we depend so heavily on one source of information on the bond topic? To her credit, she admits not being an objective reporter. She acknowledges her bias but we just can't wait for her doom and gloom, agenda driven, biased commentary. This in part is due to the very scarce reporting from legitimate news agencies. What do they know?

My intended point simply is......the bond controversy is obviously of significant importance to many Villagers evidenced by the number of threads, views, genuine intelligent opinions and enllightened input by so many great, well informed TOTV contributors. Ergo, we need to be aware that some commentary, vaguely disguised as journalism may be agenda driven by those who do not have the best interest of our community at heart.

Thanks GG for a timely and very important post on a subject many cannot seem to get enough of. Yes....you're in the right forum......unless the administrators rule otherwise.

[Russ_Boston]

Thanks Gracie - the article doesn't surprise me. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has some agenda. This article shows me what her agenda on the other postings might be.

She is entitled to her opinion but I don't have to think everything she says is bible.

[BobKat1]

I take all blogs with a grain of salt, no matter their stance/leanings. These days I take most everything I hear and read with the same grain.