“Man Bites Dog” Story on Front Page of the Northwest Herald

It’s OK if a newspaper trashes a public official.

That has happened to Algonquin Township Road Commissioner Andrew Gasser more than a few time in the Northwest Herald.

Yet, negative publicity was never levied at his predecessor Bob Miller  while he was in office, despite oodles of purchases that didn’t pass the smell test.

But politicians are advised not to criticize the press.

“Don’t criticize someone who buys ink by the barrel” is the cliche.

McHenry County Tea Party leader Mary Alger broke that rule in her unsuccessful run for the Republican nomination for County Board District 3  in 2012, a you can see below:

Mary Alger’s “I’m not endorsed by the Northwest Herald” postcard and yard sign.

Friday, Gasser decided to continue his attack on the credibility of the Northwest Herald:

He put up a message on his Route 14 sign saying, “The Northworst Herald Is Fake News.”

On the Algonquin Township Highway Department Route 14 sign appears the message, “The Northworst Herald Is Fake News.” About 23,200 vehicles a day drive past the Township complex.

About 23,200 vehicles a day drive past the Township complex.

How does that compare to the NWH’s circulation?

Hard to tell.

Several years ago the NWH stopped reporting its circulation figures to the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

It also stopped mailing the paper, which required circulation figures to be stated annually to the Post Office.

Here’s what I found when I Googled the Northwest Herald Friday:

Wikipedia says the Northwest Herald’s circulation is 21,500.  A figure 53% higher than that also appeared on the page.

On 10/25/17 advertising company USSPI listed NWH circulation as 21,440 daily ROP (Run of Paper ads) and 23, 774 Sunday ROP on Sundays.

The same source reported on 10/3/16 the NWH had 25,453 daily “Run or Paper” circulation.

Saturday, the NWH again featured Gasser on its front page:

The front page of Saturday, August 18, 2018, Northwest Herald and article on page 3 attacks Gasser for posting a sign critical of the paper.

Wish I could show you the message the NWH ran on the bib billboard closest to the Township Hall.

It said, “We’re slanted.” I am sure those who designed the campaign to re-brand the old Crystal Lake Herald meant that the paper was slanted toward covering local news, but others at the time talked about different interpretations.


Comments

“Man Bites Dog” Story on Front Page of the Northwest Herald — 11 Comments

  1. Not in today’s NWH, so when was that the headline Cal?
    How does that headline relate to the rest of your talking points?
    Fake and Unethical News perhaps?

  2. “Yet, negative publicity was never levied at his predecessor Bob Miller while he was in office, despite oodles of purchases that didn’t pass the smell test.”

    Bob Miller wasn’t stupid enough to stand on the mountain and scream “I’m an idiot” like gasbag does does.

    Bob crept in the shadows.

  3. Your title was misleading fake news.

    Oh and your picture of Jack on the previous story is unflattering just like the NWH does to Gasser.

    Wow!

  4. Gasser was smart enough to take Miller down, didn’t he?

  5. Boy Cal, you really are in the tank for this joker.

    This is the kind of guy you hitch your wagon to?

    Embarrassing.

  6. Gasser was smart enough to take Miller down, didn’t he?

    To what end, one set of problems for the next.

  7. Charles, the feelings at that time were anti incumbent, anti township, anti nepotism, Millers time was up.

    Had a candidate with real credentials ran the difference of victory would of been greater IMO.

    Miller lost, Gasser just happen to be there at the right time.

  8. That was quite the badge of honor for Mary Alger!

    I didn’t realize the Northworst Herald was that bad back then.

    I noticed a real difference in the last 4 yrs. tho.

  9. **Gasser was smart enough to take Miller down, didn’t he?**

    Or Miller was dumb enough to take Miller down. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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