I would like to thank The Chronicle for their professionalism and commitment to fair reporting. By sending a reporter to City of Winlock council meetings, they provide citizens with accurate information free of bias or hidden agendas.
This is how local journalism best serves the community.
Unfortunately, the Lewis County News continues to do the opposite. Financial figures in previous articles regarding balancing the budget and debt are not based on records from the city but instead fabricated entirely. In a recent article — like many before — disinformation was manufactured to mislead and manipulate public perception, and the claims are provably false.
After the city released an updated loan and investment report online and in water and sewer bills, Lewis County News Editor Lynnette Hoffman contacted me through my personal email asking for more detailed investment numbers and requesting a quote on them.
I promptly responded with a phone call and left a voicemail, explaining that our treasurer was unavailable that day, a Friday, but that she would be best to provide the most up to date figures the following Monday.
While I am very familiar with these investments — most of which have been made during my time as mayor — I will not provide numbers for publication unless they come directly from our treasurer to ensure accuracy.
Rather than wait for correct information, Ms. Hoffman knowingly misrepresented the situation to advance her own narrative and personal agenda.
That is not responsible journalism. The Lewis County News could be a valuable community resource, but instead it is too often used as a vile propaganda machine for personal vendetta, sowing division, and spreading falsehoods rather than fact.
Brandon Svenson
Mayor
City of Winlock
