Every newsroom, whether large or small, is built on trust. That trust depends on accuracy, accountability and a willingness to correct the record when information turns out to be incomplete or misunderstood. Today I am doing exactly that.
Yesterday I published an article regarding Patriot Solutions LLC. My concerns about that grant proposal remain the same and those concerns are my personal opinion based on the information available. However, portions of that article reflected a misunderstanding that arose during an unusually hectic moment in county government, and I owe readers and one county commissioner in particular a clear correction.
Commissioner Ron Smith has been the only county official consistently willing to communicate directly and transparently with me. In the midst of a flood of conversations with multiple constituents as well as myself, a mix of messages led to confusion between two separate issues. One was the controversy surrounding Patriot Solutions LLC. The other was the ongoing question of possible commissioner appointments. These matters were discussed simultaneously and that overlap caused me to misinterpret a key point Ron was attempting to clarify. Simply put, he was having one conversation, and I was having another, he later clarified this.
The misunderstanding stemmed from the fact that while I was referencing our conversation about the grant funds for Patriot Solutions, he was referring to whether interviews or an appointment process would proceed on Monday. Ron had informed me that no such interviews or appointments would take place. In the shuffle of rapid communication, I failed to accurately convey that in the article. This was not a misquote but a misuse of his words, and the responsibility for that error is mine alone.
I believe strongly in standing by my reporting when the facts support it, just as I believe in correcting the record when I fall short. In this case, the correction is necessary and appropriate. The community deserves precise information, especially during moments when trust in local government is already strained. Commissioner Smith took the time to explain the situation, and I appreciate his willingness to continue communicating despite the volume of concerned citizens reaching out to him in recent days.
I remain opposed to the Patriot Solutions grant based on the issues raised and the lack of documentation presented to the public. That position does not change. What does change is my acknowledgment that I miscommunicated an important detail regarding the commissioner’s comments while they continue their audit. In addition, the confirmation that Monday’s interviews will not take place offers a measure of relief to the community. Factual accuracy matters, and so does integrity when those facts require correction.
As always, I accept responsibility for my mistake. This is how accountability works. You face it, you fix it and you move forward with clearer information for the people who rely on you.