Here are the first few grafs of a story we published today. It generated much debate among editors. Names have been changed to protect the innocent (and litigious); otherwise, it’s verbatim.<p>————<p>By Joe Blow Staff Writer Revenue at County Airport for the first 5 1/2 months of 2004 has increased about 28 percent compared to the same time frame in 2003, County Official John Doe said. Cash flow from Jan. 1, 2004, through June 10, 2004, totaled $124,876. The airport took in $97,580 during the same period in 2003, Doe said. Its 2004 expenses remained about the same from a year ago, about $137,000, according to the county. Airport revenues are derived from fuel sales and hangar rentals. The airport took in $357,700 and had expenses of about $351,700 for all of 2003. Doe said this year’s revenue jump isn’t linked to any one factor. “I think it’s a lot of small things,†he said. ....<p>———<p>Joe Blow left it to the reader to do the rest of the math, but here are some facts: -- The airport is running a deficit this year. -- It ran a deficit the first half of last year, but still made a $6,000 profit. -- If this year’s trend matches last year’s trend, the airport is on pace to clear $97,000! My take: Highlighting a 28 percent increase in revenue is misleading, because it’s left to the reader to do rest of the math. And who knows if last year was typical? Maybe we should have spiked it ...
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