Putting aside for a second the question of whether media storms in general are a good thing, the Chris Christie Goes a 'Coptering story referenced above was certainly an interesting moment for us here at Patch, because we were the ones who broke it. Patch photographer Christopher Costa, following a tip run down by Patch Regional Editor Tom Troncone, is the one who caught the New Jersey gov in helicopter flagrante, and we ran it with an inquiring piece on a few of our Patches around Montvale, where it happened.
What ensued was, as Twitter dubbed it, #Coptergate. The photo and the incident were picked up by dozens of media outlets, from local blogs to national news programs. Diane Sawyer? Check. Lou Dobbs? Check. Wolf Blitzer? Check. Times, WSJ, MSNBC (three different shows), Village Voice and Cafe Mom? Yup.
It was "the photo everyone is talking about" (as one local newscaster put it) in the tri-state area -- at least until Weinergate gained steam. (Headline: "Christie's Chopper Can't Measure Up to Weiner's Wiener"?). And as a result we enjoyed tens of thousands of additional visitors.
While many, many commenters on blogs and on Twitter took Christie to task for his choice of transportation, it's not for us at Patch to say whether he was right or wrong -- and we didn't. As an unbiased news organization, we merely reported the facts. That's not to say we're so coolly detached that we didn't realize, or point out, the issues at hand. It's a fair question as to whether this is an appropriate use of taxpayer-funded state assets, and in fact it's our responsibility to raise that question so the affected community may debate it.
Which brings me to another timely point. We've been criticized here and there for, in short, not really being local. The charge is that because Patch is owned by AOL, and because AOL is a big corporation, Patch is somehow a bad thing for small communities - despite the fact we hire full-time editors who live and work in the markets they cover. That is not an argument we think is worth having, because the bottom line is, it's not for us to say. Like the Christie Copter issue, it's a fair question to ask. But whether we're good or bad for communities is a question that other media outlets can't really answer, and shouldn't even be trying to -- the community members themselves should. And if we're doing our job -- providing the most relevant news and information to local residents -- it's hard to see how we'd get a thumbs down.
In the particular case of Christie, if Patch hadn't been there, a helicopter lands in the outfield and nobody hears it. Again, argue as you will about whether it's a big deal or not, but it's not even a possible debate without Patch reporters there to raise it. As the editor-in-chief, I'm proud of the service we provided, which in this case went far beyond our local audience. As it turned out, Gov. Christie ended up reimbursing the state about $2150 for the use of the helicopter. For Patch, that's a good day at the ballpark, if you ask me.
Speaking of which, for the record, Delbarton beat St. Joe's 7 to 2. And in the hyperlocally focused world of Patch, that news is as important to report as any gubernatorial air show.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1. Not being local?! Here in somerset county, you've scooped the Courier News and Star Ledger about several things of interest to me!
Posted at 11:18AM on Jun 3rd 2011 by Mike Renna
2. Thank you for returning to the journalistic tradition of reporting without lecturing. We have more than enough Fox-News-type posturing on the web these days.
Posted at 4:33PM on Jun 10th 2011 by Jonathan Huie
3. As a long-time transplanted (New York City)resident of Bergen County, New Jersey, I can only say that one has to understand the highly unusual dynamics of New Jersey and the elements who control this State. First make note of the many ethnic similarities of the names of the people who are the Movers and Shakers of this State. Don't forget that we are one of the original water-fronts along with it's "Dock Workers". Also keep in mind that Jimmy Hoffa is buried somewhere in the Meadowlands. How true this is? I dunno nothin!
Posted at 7:30AM on Jun 14th 2011 by Ty Andres
4. I like the the Christie Copter! Christie has guts! We need more like him!
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8. That is nothing and he did pay for it himself. Chis Christi is knocking on the Presidential door.
Patch didn catch Michelle Obama flying around the world making a very large carbon footprint and spending tax payer money for an expensive trip to buy Fat Cakes in South Africa.
Why Not?
Posted at 5:19PM on Aug 20th 2011 by Shar
9. We blow enough money to worry about this small potatoes article. Leave the guy alone. He serves our country and deserves to see his son play in a game. We have no idea how much this guy contributes to our country
Posted at 11:48PM on Sep 7th 2011 by David
10. i didnt know patch was an aol thing....since the huffington post merger aol has gone over the deep leftwing cliff. not that they wernt before, but ten times worse now. i dropped my aol paid membership because of this. because of this i don't know if i can trust patch anymore to be fair.
Posted at 12:18PM on Oct 12th 2011 by harry
11. did you have a good day and comment on the first ladies trip to africa? i doubt there was a story at all. i'm sure the cost of that trip would pay for thousands and thousands helicopter rides.
Posted at 12:09PM on Oct 12th 2011 by harry
12. Chis Christi is knocking on the Presidential door.
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