Arizona Press Club 1998 Contest Winners: COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

Small Non-Dailies

COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS

Judged by Willy Stern, Nashville Scene, former reporter for Business Week and Forbes, national award winner for investigative reporting.

First Place
Mary Ellen Corbett, The Bisbee News, "Bologna or Sour Grapes."

"'Bologna or Sour Grapes' did brilliantly what so few editorials do well. It preached without being preachy. It made sober points without being self-righteous. It was strong and powerful and passionate. And most of all, the editorial provided a gutsy look at the struggles of a small, free newspaper today."

Second Place
Maureen O'Connell, Tucson Monthly, "Thanks for Stopping by..."

"This was simply a damn good read. The lead was fantastic, the analysis was insightful and the points compelling. It's all too easy for snubbed locals to whine about their treatment in the national media in a predictable and unhelpful fashion. This letter hit the right tone and sustained it."

Third Place
Kim Antoniou, The Prospector, "Make Public Display of Private Thoughts"

"There were several reasons why this entry could have failed. Thanking unknown war veterans often turns into sappy, sentimental mush. Yet these 'ramblings' were thoughtful, poignant and from the heart."

Honorable Mention
Jeff Ofstedahl, Echo, "The Inside Story"

"How should society punish those who spread HIV? This is a tricky issue to handle and the editorial writer here tackled the story with impressive clarity and first-class writing. The discussion of a loved one's orgasm being more important than your life was downright powerful. Well done, Echo Magazine."