Schlarmann is correct. That's not to say that I don't stand behind the story I wrote. It was factual and accurate. Unfortunately, I work under the disability of having to report on what others say. So while newspaper reporters can report the facts as accurately as possible, and even add context to make clear to readers the significance of events, we cannot always report the truth.
Facts are easy to recount.
The truth hides in more mysterious places, and is not so easily uncovered. One of this newspaper's roles is to make Trenton's citizens aware of the actions their government is taking. We are breaking a promise to our readers if we exclude facts, or if we simply ignore stories because of the potential emotional impact they will have on the principals involved. The fact is, the zoning board of appeals denied Rohling's request by a 3-1 vote, with Pam James, Gary Rieger, and Rob Malone voting for denial and Arnold Huelsmann voting for approval. The fact is, Rohling told city council members that zoning board members voted to deny his requests because they were upset over the council's massaging of a previous zoning board decision.