Setting the record straight

It came to The Nugget's attention last week that another Central Oregon publication, in a story on Sisters' last city council election, misrepresented The Nugget's role in a hard-fought, heavy-spending campaign.

The story, dated July 9, 2009, was recently linked from the Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) Web site page advertising the position of economic development manager in Sisters, which made the error current.

Cascade Business News (CBN) contributing editor Daniel Pearson reported on contributions made by the political action committee (PAC) Citizens for Sisters to the campaign of Lon Kellstrom, Pat Thompson and Jerry Bogart. He apparently misread or did not understand the data from ORESTAR, the Web site on which campaign contributions are reported.

Pearson wrote: "Interestingly, The Nugget Newspaper was the largest contributor at $5,592, and it has published several articles over the past year in favor of a local shift in economic development."

That statement is incorrect. The funds Pearson referred to were funds paid TO The Nugget BY Citizens for Sisters for political advertising. (After The Nugget contacted CBN on Friday, the publisher printed a correction and removed the statement from the online story. The Nugget appreciates that action.)

Since a new campaign is about to begin, it is important that citizens understand how PAC contributions are reported.

On the ORESTAR site, all transactions are recorded in the same field. They are itemized as "cash contribution" or "cash expenditure." "Cash contributions" go to the PAC; "cash expenditures" are spending by the PAC.

The transactions listed under "contributor/payee The Nugget Newspaper" were "cash expenditures" - payments by the PAC to The Nugget for advertising.

While The Nugget may endorse candidates for office in Sisters, regionally and nationally, the newspaper does not contribute directly or indirectly to any political campaign or candidate.

Jim Cornelius, Editor

Kiki Dolson, Publisher