A caller this week complained that Ladd Lane Elementary School
isn’t getting enough play on the pages of the Free Lance.
Particularly disheartening, our caller said, was that no story was
written when well-loved Ladd Lane Principal Bob Hammond retired
earlier this month.
A caller this week complained that Ladd Lane Elementary School isn’t getting enough play on the pages of the Free Lance. Particularly disheartening, our caller said, was that no story was written when well-loved Ladd Lane Principal Bob Hammond retired earlier this month.
Let’s set the record straight.
The June 8 edition of the Free Lance did include an article about Mr. Hammond’s retirement. There was even a picture of the good principal on the front page of the paper, though the story itself was on the third page of the news section.
After reviewing the article – titled “School’s out for Mr. Hammond” – the Crusader deemed it a fitting farewell for the principal, who has dedicated more than two decades to educating the young (that last part was in the article).
While the story covers the progression of Mr. Hammond’s career, it also tells readers quite a bit about the man as well. We learned that as a child, he enjoyed the sports field more than the classroom, he served in the U.S. Navy and he is an Anglican priest. Check out the story in the Free Lance archive, accessible at: www.freelancenews.com.
As for our caller’s more general gripe, that Ladd Lane itself doesn’t get enough coverage, the Crusader feels it is unwarranted. In addition to regular news coverage – such as the story about Mr. Hammond’s retirement – the school is routinely featured in the Free Lance’s Extra Credit section (which runs on Thursdays). Last month, for instance, more than two inches of Extra Credit were dedicated to a barbecue that Ladd Lane parents were holding to honor Mr. Hammond, whose retirement was also mentioned in the brief.
Though the Free Lance always strives to give total coverage to Ladd Lane – and the other 20 or so schools in the county – the Crusader does concede that with just one education reporter and one photographer some events might not get attention. If anybody – parents, teachers, Red Phone callers – thinks there is something happening at Ladd Lane or any other local school that warrants coverage, just give education reporter Danielle Smith a call at 637-5566. Or send her an e-mail at [email protected].
Tell her the Crusader sent you.
Caller Wants More Graffiti Abatement
A Free Lance article about the Hollister Police Department’s recent graffiti abatement day piqued the interest of another caller, who told the Crusader that he’d like to see even more gang graffiti painted over.
“I was wondering if they were going to do it more over the summer,” the caller said.
The police department holds graffiti abatement days at irregular intervals throughout the year, according to Officer Rosie Betanio. The program has the dual purpose of covering unsightly graffiti and sending a statement to gang members that the community won’t tolerate their damnable deeds.
On June 15, more than 30 locals teamed up with police officers and used about 15 gallons of paint to cover gang graffiti on half a dozen walls in the city. To get involved with graffiti abatement efforts, give the police department a call at 636-4332.
Who knows; if enough concerned citizens call and volunteer their time, police might be prompted to hold another graffiti abatement day sooner than later.
