She Said, She Said
A letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
It is my intention to spend the remainder of my days (or at least a good twenty years) focusing on providing in-depth and accurate coverage of governance and public safety in Carbon County through this Montana Independent News outlet. My goal is to provide accurate and useful news to the citizens of Carbon County. My favorite part of reporting is the research and getting to understand a subject well enough to competently report on it. I intend to earn your trust and maintain it by providing well researched, written and reviewed articles. If I make a mistake, I will admit it and correct it.
On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Red Lodge City Council meeting Mayor Kristen Cogswell engaged in the following exchange:
I erred in putting quotes around the words “just use Gabrian’s land” because I do not have video or audio documentation of the Mayor’s statement, however, this is part of what she had to say regarding the use of the heliport at the airport at the June 7, 2023, Local Emergency Preparedness Committee meeting:
During my interview with Colonel Robert Oleson, State Army Aviation Officer, he stated that the National Guard first started using the Red Lodge Airport with the Robertson Draw Fire in 2021. Steve Smith, a citizen of Red Lodge and a member of the Carbon County Airport Board, was at the Tuesday City Council meeting and had this to say about the Mayor’s statements regarding Gabrian land:
Without formal training in journalism, I am designing my own methods and standards. Based on this experience, I will never again use a quote unless I have a recording of it or it is approved by the speaker. My policy is that when someone agrees to be a source for an article, everything is off the record unless and until it is agreed that it can be on. This allows people to speak to me freely. Public statements are just that, public and on the record. Another method that I use to ensure accuracy is that, when I have a final draft of a piece, I submit it to my sources and/or people involved for review to make sure I understand their information and am presenting it correctly and in context. For instance, the “Taxation Without Representation” article was predominantly based on documents. Before posting it was sent to the City attorney, County attorney, two members of the Airport Board and two members of City government for review. The post was made after a minor requested edit for clarification. Articles on court cases are generally sent to the attorneys for review or I will note that the information is based solely on court documents. I do not aim to be first with a breaking story, my intent is to be the most accurate.
Subscriptions from Montana Independent News are my sole source of income and I believe that my integrity and hard work will earn your respect and that you will find my reporting valuable enough to become a paid subscriber and support me in this effort.
Thank you so much for being a reader!
Take care,
Denise Rivette