South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Article about Hilmer should have included more than one side says reader

Letters to the Editor
Letters+to+the+editor

To the editor:

Aaron Hilmer has accomplished much in his three terms on the Mehlville Fire Protection District board of directors, consistently advocating for taxpayers and against the blank check mentality on union-controlled boards in other districts.

That said, any first-year journalism student knows — or soon learns — that one-source stories cannot present a balanced report.

The Call’s April 27 story about Hilmer, “Fire director looking forward to serving district another six years,” with only his quotes, should have included, at a minimum, comments from the firefighters’ union. Input from citizens or other board members, current or former, would have made it even better.

Lacking that balance, the story came off as a soft kiss on the cheek.

I’m sure Hilmer appreciated it, but your readers deserve better.

Patrick Martin
Oakville

Editor’s note: Patrick Martin is one of the founders of the Jefferson County Leader.

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