Our coverage of Issue 28, the proposed amendment to Grove City's charter, has drawn a lot of feedback from readers in recent weeks, including questions about our editorial judgment and balance. That's a more than fair conversation to have, so we want to explain how The Pennant separates news from opinion, a standard that has guided newspapers for generations.
News stories are the work of our reporters and freelance journalists. Their job is to gather and present the facts fairly and accurately, without taking sides. We don't always get it right, but The Pennant was launched to give readers the facts and context they need to make their own decisions.
Editorials, which appear without a byline, represent the views of The Pennant's editorial board. Columns represent the views of the individual writers and don't necessarily reflect the positions of The Pennant.
The editorial board took a position on Issue 28 because we see it as less about data centers than about economic development, which pays for Grove City's schools and city services. We also expect to see many more charter amendments across Ohio framed as data center moratoriums. As the debate grew more heated, the amendment's consequences, intended or not, got too little attention. Voters deserved to know them before casting their ballots.
Ours is not the only perspective, and The Pennant remains a public forum. We thank the readers who have already sent letters and guest columns. Letters and guest columns should be 300 words or fewer and address the issue rather than individuals. We edit for grammar, length, and clarity, never for viewpoint.
We've received letters from supporters of Issue 28, but so far they have focused on The Pennant rather than the amendment itself. We welcome, and will gladly publish, letters and guest columns that make the case for Issue 28 on its merits. We also invite the amendment's sponsors and petition organizers to submit a guest column explaining why voters should support it.
The Pennant is here for you Monday through Friday. If you believe we've missed facts that matter, this space is yours. Use it.
Send letters and guest columns to [email protected].