| Correcting Florida Today errors
July 10, 2003 By Scott Ellis, Clerk of Courts Excerpted with permission from the Brevard Insider To submit a Letter to the Editor: ESCMC@aol.com Last week I reported Florida Today's error in stating "An FDLE-hired expert said the land, with its recent landfill permit, could be worth as much as $7 million. That's just about $250,000 less than the county paid, and should end questions about whether the county substantially overpaid." Disbelieving my initial call, with an unusual interpretation of the FDLE report, I then sent in the appraisers report itself where it was clear he felt the land was overvalued and he set no estimated value. Failing again, I then sent in a letter directly from the appraiser, stating, "the quotation you provided which indicated 'the land with its recent landfill permit could be worth as much as $7 million' is a misrepresentation of my letter. I have not valued the property." Evidently errors are permissible to be printed and reprinted as long as they serve to either polish or punish the appropriate parties in our County. I suppose the real goal of the paper was stated in the editorial, that to "end questions about whether the County substantially overpaid." Heaven forbid that facts should be brought out which may endanger the story line. Brevard Insider is published 5 times a week except holidays at 1106 Ramblebrook St., Malabar, Fl. 32950. Tel (321) 956-0815. Fax (321) 956-8762. Email ESCMC@aol.com Copyright 2002. Publisher Pond Press, Inc. Editor: Edward S. Clark. Assistant editor: Dan Warrensford. Contributing editors J. D. Tucker, Michael Moehle, Bob Brewster, David Russell, Chuck Morley, Bill Love. Contrarian: Robert D. Clark. Electronic distribution: Tim Wooley. Subscription price $6.50 per month. |