I was struck by your editorial extolling the virtues of the process that cleared Fort Lewis College President Dene Thomas of any wrongdoing in the case brought against her by a disgruntled FLC student (Herald, Sept. 5). Your editorial response should have been an apology to Thomas for the Herald’s role in that process. She has been under attack all summer with above-the-fold, front-page headlines reporting based on biased, anonymous allegations. When the Herald first broke the story, you didn’t even bother to do the minimum amount of fact-checking which should have revealed the bogus nature of the complaint; records on the principals behind LLCs should be open. Nor has the Herald ever bothered to explain the nature of the relationship between Rose Daniel and her lawyer or the identities of so-called other members of Lark’s Wing LLC. What axes did each have to grind?
As your editorial points out, Thomas had the prior approval and funding from FLC’s Board of Trustees before the trip was made. She was doing exactly what her job demands of her. From where I sit, Thomas has worked hard and effectively to improve the relationship between Durango and FLC, a relationship which had languished under her predecessor. The Herald’s attacks over the summer were uncalled for; while the story should’ve been reported, a short inside article would have sufficed. Durango doesn’t need tabloid reporting. We need a newspaper to keep us abreast of local happenings, not one which tries to stir up controversy designed only to sell copy.
Katherine A. Burgess
Durango
