Newspapers serve many functions. One of those functions is informing readers. Another, arguably, would be making a call for community action. Newspapers don’t always get credit for making changes in the communities they serve, but many in media would assert that is one of our most important roles.
In May, Julie Meadows called The Examiner to tell us about her plight, ultimately in hopes that someone would help her. The Examiner never shies away from a story, but as a weekly, we have to weigh the importance of writing a story that may not come out for a week against the importance of taking immediate action. We will always hold public entities accountable.
In this case, however, instead of just writing a story about the flooding she was experiencing time after time during hurricanes and other heavy rain events, I made a phone call. I wanted to help her, so I called Dr. Joseph Majdalani, general manager for DD6.
With one phone call from a local newspaper, Majdalani and Senior Project Manager John Murff got into a truck and drove over to Meadows’ house to see what they could do to help. It was still raining when they took the call, and it was still raining when they went out to her house on W. Clubb Road in Fannett. Still, they got out of the truck and traced the source of the flooding so they could make a plan to mitigate it in the future, as quickly as possible.
In only six months – a very short period of time to consult district engineers, make a plan, get all necessary permissions and complete all necessary paperwork – DD6 is on site on W. Clubb Road making headway and making the community safer.
According to Julie Meadows, DD6 made a commitment to her and, “They kept their promise.” She will hold them to it – and so will we.
While many media outlets may be a great source for information, it feels good to know The Examiner is one that also calls for community action and many times even gets to see changes enacted.