Times Article; Young Addicts; Leaf Blower Extremists

It was a speedy week in Lamorinda with lots of news to cover and talk about. Patch found itself the focus of examination by an outside news agency and the courts (more on that later) and was both universally praised and condemned - sometimes in the same breath.

We were heartened by the show of support from readers who "get us" and saw the aspersions cast in our direction for what they were.

So let's start things out with our story - and your responses - on our take on a Contra Costa Times article, "," which drew 57 comments...

"I don't get it. Patch reported from public records (police reports) and quoted from members of the community. Frankly, the most inflammatory, prejudicial (and gross) thing I read about this case was IN THE CC TIMES article today that slammed Patch (the cops apparently recovered semen from the teacher's classroom couch).

I didn't go back and re-read all the Patch coverage, but I don't recall anything that revealed the ID of the victim here.

Is anyone saying that Patch did anything illegal or unethical, or were they just surprised that a small-town case got a big of big-town news coverage?

Attention cops and courts: welcome to the hyper-local Web 2.0." - Chris Nicholson

"I think blaming The Patch for people trying to figure out the child's identity is outrageous. Why don't we just have NO reports on anything...in case it inspires some wing-nut to go out and do the wrong thing? It is a ridiculous notion to blame the crimes and actions on someone else who did nothing to report even clues or suggestions of how to identify this girl. The Patch didn't even say we should get to know. This is, actually, a non-event apparently brought by a CC Times that wants to try to make some news of its own. For that I'd criticize them...not the Patch." - Rick

"The CCTimes slight against the AOL/Patch is typical of traditional news media that have lost the ability to perform in depth reporting due to budget cuts and drop off in advertisement revenue. Blog news reporting is the future and giving traditional media a run for their money (advertisement revenue). Unlike sites like deadspin the Patch actually performed an exhaustive reporting by attending the hearing, review of police reports etc. They did not rely on anonymous tips to craft their reporting. Sounds more like sour grapes from the CCTimes that the Patch got ahead of this story. Could the Patch have filtered some of the information about the victims ties to Merrick perhaps in 20/20 hindsight but did they cross any journalistic lines I say HECK NO! Malaika Fraley how about doing your job and providing your readers with coverage of this explosive story rather than taking a cheap shot at one news media that is providing this community with facts on a story that has riveted this community." - Miles Van Buren

"The messenger wrote too much of a message, which allowed some to identify the victim. Irresponsible journalism." - John K.

"I don't agree. It seems that there was an element in town out to out the girl for some reason, if the lawyers are to be believed. I don't know how doing that would benefit the patch, and it's pretty plain to see from the prior stories that they made sure not to do that. Laying that at their door is a stretch and disingenuous IMO.

Frankly, after reading the Times story, I'm beginning to believe that one of the parties here is looking for a scapegoat and used the Times to make that accusation public - which it did with relish for reasons that are obvious to me, at least.

At any rate it also seems that a smart First Amendment lawyer might be interested in tackling the judge's decision to close the case to members of the public. That struck me as a stretch and unusual, as even the Times pointed out." - Bryan

On Orindan Chris Nicholson's letter to the editor "," there were a mere 133 comments, one of which included use of the word casuistry for the first time, impressing your editor to no end...

"Leaf blowers don't blow leaves, leaf blower owners do." - Chris Price

"There appears to be two extreme views here. Those who want a total ban, and those who want the status quo of unrestricted blowing. I would like people to consider something in between, that might be a win-win.

-No change for blower use by residents on their property.
-Commercial blowing restricted to one day a week, 10 am to 2 pm.
-No blowing near schools or nursing homes
-Commercial blowers require a $500/mo permit with all money going to local schools.

Just a starting point for those not stuck on one of the extreme positions." - Bill

"Sorry Bill,
Just who is going to foot the bill(no pun intended) for this enforcement of a new class of criminal?
You are efectively banning blower use by any commercial landscaper.
Unacceptable to anyone other than QO. I don't hire a crew, but hire workers occasionally and give them my blower.
You can trim around the edges with rules all you want , but the effect is the same a full ban which nobody wants." - CJ

"Expressing no opinion on the merits (Hold your fire!), I note with approval the use of the SAT word "casuistry." I had to look it up, though I had an inkling it wasn't meant as a compliment." - T. Rodriguez

On Lou Fancher's story "" there were 8 comments...

"There are many, many families dealing with this, yet, no one talks to each other. I would have preferred a round table discussion with the 2 families who spoke. Mr. Browne was fine but people who were there are so far beyond worrying about whether or not their kids are sneaking booze or smoking pot.

Stress reduction? The only thing I've known to actually work for families dealing with this is to move. I'm serious." - Ann

"Tim Browne noted: Alcohol kills 6.5 times more kids than all other illicit drugs combined.
Parents are more likely to be addicted to alcohol and cigarettes than any other abusable substances. Addictive behavior can be genetic or learned. Parents need to take a long hard look at their family history and personal behavior and see if it is what they want their children to model: Count the alcoholics and smokers in your family and in the families where your kids spend their time. Do you EVER drink and drive? Do you NEED that beer/cocktail/wine to UNWIND at home or in a bar after work? When you buy alcohol is the volume supersize? Do you smoke cigars, cigarettes, chew? Do you allow underage drinking in your home by kids other than your own? Do you discard pain meds when they are no longer needed? How important a role does alcohol play in your family life: is it a vital part of family celebrations, how about weddings, St. Patricks Day, Superbowl. Parents may have to sacrifice some of their own addictive behaviors to prevent or control addiction in their kids." - Suzanne Sommer

"I agree with Suzanne - as adults we set examples. I have been at many parties where parents drink heavily in front of their grade school students - expecting them to put themselves to bed by themselves because it is a weekend and mom and dad have friends over.

Our son is a recovered addict - he would say that yes, Oxy is expensive, which is why may Oxy addicts turn to heroin which is much cheaper. Drugs are easy to get at all of our highschool - Miramonte Gardens is a haven for drug dealers. When our kids reached highschool we stopped going out on weekends and made sure to stay sober so that if our kids needed help, needed a ride, we were able to be there for them. Many parents seem to think that once their children are in high school they, as parents, can finally "enjoy" themselves. Now is the time that our children need us the most. They are watching us to see if we live the life that we are telling them to live. As terrifying as it is that so many of our young people are using drugs - it is even more terrifying that their parents chose to ignore the problem, pretend it doesn't exist, so that they don't have to deal with it." - Another Mom

"True words. Though I'm not sure that all parents choose to ignore the problem, I think a lot of parents are in denial - the number of parents I hear smugly declare "not my child - they know better". How do you get parents to see its not "bad" kids that get involved in drugs and alcohol?" - Dolly