Posted on July 14 at 8:07 p.m.

Hi Folks:

This is from our guidelines, which I know you all will now read and take to heart...

"It is our hope you'll take the opportunity to interact with the authors on our site -- community members, journalists, and other Independent.com visitors.

"We welcome your participation on all of our articles and features, and we encourage you to analyze, discuss, or challenge Independent.com's content on the comment threads..."

and the last, of the list:

"7) Be succinct, constructive and relevant to the story. We encourage engaging, diverse and meaningful commentary."

http://www.independent.com/discussion-gu...

That's what we're trying to follow; I hope you can all do your part. It's a lot of fun following the ongoing commentary, but it's not putting the hammer to our contributors.

--Randy Campbell

On Mayor Is Not Resigning

Posted on July 13 at 12:34 p.m.

Not to pick on our friend Kelp805, as the distinction between argumentative and viciously critical and downright mean and insulting is admittedly fine and subjective, but I'm sensitive to this thread getting hijacked by too much rage and too little discussion with a least a bit of respect.

I recommend phrasing your strongest criticisms in words you would be able to say in person.

-- Randy Campbell,
Publisher

On Charges Filed in July 4th Stabbings

Posted on July 7 at 8:28 a.m.

Thank you very much, on behalf of the whole Independent staff, for the compliments and kind words.

We also appreciate and accept complaints, (constructive, of course) which will help us improve our reporting on our community

And if you have a Tip or Correction for us, every news story has a direct email link in the Story Tools box ("Tip Us Off") for that purpose.

--Randy Campbell, Publisher

On Hope Springs Again at Sunday Night’s Gap Fire Briefing

Posted on July 6 at 9:13 p.m.

azuresees:

Thanks for the compliment (I think).

Whenever I hear this sort of damning-with-faint-praise, a little part of me screams because:

1. The News & Review closed shop in 1986.

2. The Santa Barbara Independent, founded in 1986, has done a lot of news reporting since that time -- literally millions and millions of words, some of them good.

3. Nick Welsh has done award-winning and ground-breaking reporting for all of those 22 years, including a National Best AltWeekly column this year.

As you obviously have a long memory, let me throw out a few highlights: Congo Bob coverage, the Huttenback Scandal, Nanny-gate with Michael Huffington, and his story anticipating the entire News-Press blow-up -- published the DAY it happened.

Glad you're taking notice!

--Randy Campbell, Publisher (since 1986)

On Hope Springs Again at Sunday Night’s Gap Fire Briefing

Posted on July 4 at 10:42 p.m.

bahr:

I appreciate your close examination of our offerings -- even I forgot the wind direction was in our Weather box.

That info comes from a feed supplied by the Feds, and although official, is not as exact as I would like; kinda in the ballpark, but just barely. So, temps usually seem less hot (or cold) than say my car temp gauge, and winds lighter than what can be observed.

I hope those light winds readings are spot on tonight.

--Randy Campbell
Indy Staff

On Update From Friday Afternoon Gap Fire Press Conference

Posted on July 2 at 9:04 p.m.

massive power failure throughout town, with spotty internet access. We will keep plug(ging on the updates (I"mtyping this on my phone).

In answer to your question, my understanding is that whole area is in play... Better informed posters please chime in.

On Notes on the Gap Fire

Posted on May 28 at 8:26 p.m.

Alison:

There is no "convention" which we have bought into; the only requirement for commenting on this website is you must be a registered user. No one is obligated to reveal or hide their name.

Our calculus has been to encourage commentary as long as it's generally civil or informative; one of the benefits of anonymity is it does result in more comments.

Since we switched to our new site in April '07 and required registration (which in turn provides a level of accountability upon the User), it effectively cut our comments by about 2/3.

Interestingly, the conduct of our commenters under registered & un-registered systems has been, in general, uniformly well-behaved.

--Randy Campbell

On Pappas Ads Bunk

Posted on May 25 at 6:59 p.m.

Thanks for your comments... You folks are completely correct -- I really messed this one up!

Drew's original article had it all right, I came in thinking San Marcos was left out (it's still incorrect on the San Marcos website), and added the information about San Marcos.

My apologies to any readers who stumbled upon the misleading information, and I apologize to Drew for running his original article off the road.

It has been updated to reflect the corrections.

-- Randy Campbell

On Santa Barbara High Schools Make Grade in National Rankings

Posted on May 22 at 8:27 a.m.

I have never received any letter, email, phone, or text message from Rick Feldman, nor anyone else for that matter, regarding ads placed in our issue of May 15, 2008.

--Randy Campbell

On Ads Anti-Semitic

Posted on May 1 at 4:50 p.m.

What a loving and affecting tribute to a well-loved son.

I stand in admiration of your courage and love for your son which gave you the strength to share this powerful and inspiring message.

-Randy

On Jacob Snyder 1980-2008