Coastsider interviews the guy who writes the Review’s editorial corrections

The easiest job in journalism, even easier than being George Bush’s press secretary, is to write the corrections for the Half Moon Bay Review’s editorial page. We’re not sure how he got the job (he’s not saying), but Review Editorial Corrections Editor Oliver DeNiles did sit down with us to answer a few questions about the Review’s August 10 editorial.

Coastsider: In its August 10 editorial, the Review said that �Section 84308 [of California�s Political Reform Act] notes that state officers, including Coastal Commissioners, shall not �direct� anyone to contribute more than $250 to anyone with a matter currently pending before the state.� But the law actually says that the donor—and not the recipient—should not have a financial interest in any matter pending before the state.  How did the Review address this error after it was pointed out?

A: The Review stands by its Aug. 10 editorial. Readers who missed it can decide for themselves by logging on to http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2005/08/11/news/editorial/story01.txt

Coastsider: The Review’s editorial expressed a lot of concern about ex parte communications in its editorial about coastal commissioner Sara Wan’s appearance at a Coastside fundraiser, but Sara Wan is the only coastal commissioner who doesn’t take ex parte communications. Why bring it up?

A: The Review stands by its Aug. 10 editorial. Readers who missed it can decide for themselves by logging on to http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2005/08/11/news/editorial/story01.txt

Coastsider: Why did your editorial mention a certain City Council member three times in the course of alleging unethical behavior by someone else, and then say he’s not at fault?

A: The Review stands by its Aug. 10 editorial. Readers who missed it can decide for themselves by logging on to http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2005/08/11/news/editorial/story01.txt

Coastsider: The editorial said that coastal commissioners should not be involved in local politics. But, by law, half of the commissioners are local elected officials.  How would you make that work?

A: The Review stands by its Aug. 10 editorial. Readers who missed it can decide for themselves by logging on to http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2005/08/11/news/editorial/story01.txt

Coastsider: I couldn’t have said it better myself.