Letter From the Editor

Notes On Our Reporting About MAT Asphalt

Published July 11, 2022
By Justin Kerr

Hello Dear Reader!

I’m writing this Letter from the Editor to our constituency and community regarding recent social media missives about the McKinley Park News and our reporting: specifically, unfounded conjecture and accusation from neighborhood protesters about our reporting on MAT Asphalt and related issues.

The McKinley Park News broke the story on MAT Asphalt and has covered it in greater depth and detail than any other publication. We are proud to continue our ongoing, accurate coverage of MAT Asphalt and the controversy surrounding it.

Engineers test MAT Asphalt's air quality from atop its smokestack as covered in the August 29, 2021, article "Emissions Testing, Tracking Targets MAT Asphalt, Neighborhood Air Quality."Engineers test MAT Asphalt from atop its smokestack as covered in the August 29, 2021, article "Emissions Testing, Tracking Targets MAT Asphalt, Neighborhood Air Quality."Here’s our news coverage to-date about MAT Asphalt and related stories:

Members of Neighbors for Environmental Justice tour MAT Asphalt with owner Michael Tadin Jr. as repored in the October 12, 2019, article "Neighbors, Environmental Group Tour Asphalt Plant."Members of Neighbors for Environmental Justice discuss MAT Asphalt with owner Michael Tadin Jr., as reported in the October 12, 2019, article "Neighbors, Environmental Group Tour Asphalt Plant."We’ve also published an Op/Ed about MAT Asphalt: “Our Neighborhood Deserves Advance Notice of Major New Development.” This is penned by Kate Moser, public critic of MAT Asphalt and spouse to noted anti-MAT Asphalt organizer Anthony Moser.

Do you see any errors in our news coverage? We invite anyone to let us know of factual inaccuracies, which we will quickly correct and address. (We welcome all other feedback, too.) Our news reporting presents only qualified, factual information.

Reporting On a Sponsor

Separating news coverage from advertiser considerations is one of the established best practices of commercial journalism, and the McKinley Park News works from journalistic and ethical standards that exceed those of any other publication of which we’re aware.

In addition to being a subject of news coverage, MAT Asphalt is one of the dozens of Sponsors that have supported the McKinley Park News through our specifically structured sponsorship program. This provides marketing and advertising opportunities for local enterprises while fully disclosing to our readers everyone who is supporting us.

Local, state and federal elected officials stand when asked if they oppose MAT Asphalt, as reported in the January 18, 2020, article "Environmental Town Hall Draws Hundreds of Residents and Federal, State and Local Officials."Local, state and federal elected officials stand when asked if they oppose MAT Asphalt, as reported in the January 18, 2020, article "Environmental Town Hall Draws Hundreds of Residents and Federal, State and Local Officials."For MAT Asphalt, the only remuneration they’ve ever provided to us is $179.95 per year for each of the past three years for their annual Gold Sponsorship. This is the same current rate for all our Gold Sponsors.

Building a Trustworthy News Business

Maintaining editorial independence and journalistically sound practices — especially for neighborhood news — is something we’ve considered deeply, acted upon earnestly and previously explained in detail:

For information about our exceptional operational and ethical standards, see our About Us page and especially the Letter from the Editor “Building a Trustworthy News Business.”

Watch Us for More Reporting

We are very excited to leverage our team of highly experienced professional journalists toward new neighborhood reporting, including upcoming news on MAT Asphalt and the controversy surrounding it.

12th Ward alderman candidates campaign with anti-MAT Asphalt protesters as reported in the February 23, 2019, article "Green New Deal Draws 12th Ward Candidates, Residents to March and Rally."12th Ward alderman candidates campaign with anti-MAT Asphalt protesters as reported in the February 23, 2019, article "Green New Deal Draws 12th Ward Candidates, Residents to March and Rally."Watch the McKinley Park News website for the latest coverage, and follow us on our Facebook page or our Twitter account, where we also announce new articles as soon as we publish them.

Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive a look ahead to the week’s upcoming events and a digest of the most recent news, including our most recently published articles. Become a Member or Subscriber to share your feedback here on the McKinley Park News.

UPDATE: Ask questions or share feedback about our MAT Asphalt reporting in our News and Feedback discussion thread.

Most of all, thank you for your ongoing engagement and your support for and trust in the McKinley Park News and the original neighborhood news coverage we bring to you. Lots more is on the way!

All the best to you and yours,

— Justin Kerr
Publisher, McKinley Park News

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Jim Reho
The mission of a news organization, large or small, includes fair coverage of hot-button local issues. I have been reading the stories about MAT Asphalt since you began publishing them. I have found them to be even-handed and fair in tone. Specifically, I have found that you do not favor either MAT Asphalt or its detractors. Your coverage has been appropriate. Keep it up!
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Justin Kerr
Thanks so much for your feedback! There has been a lot of baseless innuendo going around. We deeply appreciate your support and encouragement. Cheers!
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Mary Tierney
Exactly what Jim Reho said. Fair and even-handed. Also, thank you Justin for all that you do
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Justin Kerr
Thank you so much, Mary! Sometimes, all the baseless hatred directed against the McKinley Park News causes distraction. It's so encouraging to know that we have support within the community. Cheers!
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