Thanks so much for reading and responding. Your input is valued. We are striving to better serve the city’s readers.

I did mention Butt’s e-communications, although it was brief and near the end of the article. It reads: “Butt, who maintains his own slickly-produced Web site and writes a popular e-newsletter to thousands of constituents, said both government and media had potential to become more transparent and interactive through use of the Internet.”

As for the vagueness, we may be guilty. My article was careful not to say that Butt’s answers were vague, but that “some” of the student reporters viewed it that way. As for our questions, again, you may very well have a point that they lacked some clarity. I probably should have included something about the substance of the questions.

Thanks again. We are lucky to have readers as insightful as yourself.

Best,
Robert Rogers

>> The veteran councilman’s visit was received with sharp focus and muted enthusiasm by the student reporters, who peppered him with a steady volley of questions.
>> Some said they found Butt’s answers vague…

If his answers to your reporters were vague, I can only guess that the questions you folks asked were vaguer still, because Tom is not one to hold back on information or opinions when asked.

I don’t always agree with him, but I do know that Richmond is very lucky indeed to have Tom on our side, likely spending countless unpaid hours bringing city issues to light. Your city should be so lucky.

Thank you for being willing to have this conversation. Hopefully, the benefits of this learning experience will continue to be passed on to our Richmond readers.

Best,
Robert Rogers

At the end of the day, however, no one can predict with accuracy such things as how many jobs for Richmond residents will actually be created, how much crime will be prevented or caused or how many lives will be saved or ruined. Anyone on the Council who tells you that their decision is not intuitive is not being realistic.