Boulevard Bites

by Toni Locke

For a dozen years a dedicated team of volunteers has produced this monthly newspaper. We choose what you find in the paper by following the guidelines of our mission: to serve as a voice for residents, businesses, and community organizations working together to nurture friendly, livable neighborhoods. The map sets our boundaries and helps define our "small is beautiful" style. We can count on local businesses and local readers for the support needed to keep us a viable nonprofit (501c3) corporation, operating debt-free. The stories and columns in the paper come from projects and actions generated by the community. The talent pool volunteering for the Metro also determines what you get. This pool needs constant refreshment. Volunteers come and go. We try for standards of good journalism. We proofread carefully and strive for accuracy. Because we are close to our readership, errors of fact are quickly corrected for us, especially if we misspell a name or get a date wrong. We try for a variety of features, depending on who wants to offer them. People working on local projects learn that you can't get far without cooperation from the City Council, which we elect to represent our interests, and from City of Oakland agencies we pay for. It is Metro policy to keep open dialog with these people. Freedom of information and high standards of journalistic accuracy are a foundation of democracy. Local news should provide a network of information that will bring out the rich diversity of our neighborhoods and air the conflicts of interest inherent in city life. My mother used to tell me to be kind and to be honest. I always thought it an impossible challenge! The Metro aspires to both.