Publish all the news without bias

To the Editor:

Prior to placing my ad/comments in your publication on June 16, 2016 regarding corruption in the Town of Johnston, I was advised by many readers that I was wasting my time because the Sun Rise had a bias in favor of Mayor Polisena and his administration. Being a senior woman of sound mind, I refused to believe that I would be wasting my hard earned money and time in attempting to have other Johnston residents learn of Johnston’s political debauchery. “The Rookie,” me, appeared at your office and gladly paid $301.50, anxious to be heard and read.

We have 138 active participants in our “fight” with Johnston officials over the Greenville Avenue/Citizens Bank relocation deal. At 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, June 16, 2016, I think all 138 people called me to advise that my editorial/ad was not published. I drove to your Warwick office and picked up my bundle of papers and began looking for my article. After five minutes of searching through the paper, I noticed my $301.50 article printed in small, light, fine print was well-hidden under an advertisement with the bold heading and outline of “Tedesco’s Sausage Shop.” Aside from my disappointment, anger and frustration, I realized I would be the brunt of “I told you so” from my colleagues and friends. I realized the truth of their accusations that letters they have sent into the paper for publication which were derogatory to Mayor Polisena and staff were ignored and unpublished.

I believe in Freedom of Speech! I believe that the Freedom of Speech Clause of the First Amendment is one of the most valuable and precious rights guaranteed to Americans in the United States Constitution. It is not solely for the purpose of the press but for the freedom of all individuals to voice their thoughts and ideas without the censorship of a biased editor or news publisher. If you are the Johnston community newspaper, then present not only the news of the Town but the opinions and thoughts of its residents who are the readers of your paper.

Based on the above actions of your editor, I am requesting that you correct your error by:

1. The printing and publication of this letter in your next edition; and

2. The reprinting of my $301.50 article in normal print, among other articles and in a proper place for my writing.

On May 21, 2016, many Johnston residents conducted a Protest Walk at Johnston Town Hall to raise awareness of the actions of Mayor Polisena and other Johnston political officials in allowing the relocation of Citizens Bank to our residential community. We were well represented by Channels 6, 10, and 12. The unanswered question is, where were you, our alleged Johnston newspaper?

In addition, I discovered that your recent publication on June 16, 2016, ran an article advising that Robert Civetti will be making a bid for the District #5 council seat in Johnston. At the most recent Town Council meeting, I addressed the council and handed your reporter a copy of my presentation, which along with three other Johnston residents, demanded the resignation of present councilperson, Stephanie Manzi for her deceitful and fraudulent actions. Why was nothing about this written in the Civetti article. It is certainly a probable catalyst to Civetti’s bid for the Council seat and is newsworthy! This has been the target of statewide reporters and news channels alike, but not your local paper?

If you represent your publication as the “Johnston Newspaper,” then act accordingly and represent the news as it is and not as Johnston political figures wish to censor it! We allegedly live in a Democracy not a Communist State! Prove it and act as you should as a news outlet – publish all the news without bias, prejudice, or opinion!

Claire Montecalvo

Johnston