By:Angela Marshall
The South Shore papers earned first-place honors for news, education and community leadership, and took home awards for in-depth reporting, photography, columns and advertising.
"Once again, the Herald staff has proved that you don't have to work for a big daily to do top-quality work and make important contributions to your community," said Herald co-Publisher Cliff Richner. "I was particularly impressed by the work that Scott Brinton and his staff in Merrick and Bellmore did on the Mepham football scandal, and I'm glad to see them recognized by their peers. Breadth, depth, subtlety -- their coverage of this story had it all."
One hundred ninety-three newspapers throughout New York state submitted a total of 3,937 entries to the annual Better Newspaper Contest, which was judged by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association on Jan. 29. The many contest categories were divided into four divisions based on circulation.
Herald papers captured two of the top spots in coverage of education, with the Merrick Herald staff, including Senior Editor Scott Brinton, Editor Nick Buglione and reporters Hector Flores and Laura Lane, receiving first-place honors. The paper's entry featured stories on the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District's reaction to America's war in Iraq and the sex-abuse attacks suffered by three Mepham students at a Pennsylvania football camp last summer.
The Mepham series, which comprised 50 articles, 15 columns and eight editorials, also earned Brinton's team first place in community leadership and second place in in-depth reporting for the Bellmore Herald. The series ran in the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds. Also contributing to this series were columnists Randi Kreiss and Alfred Doblin and freelance reporter Michael Otterman. The staff continues to write about this still-unfolding story.
"Anyone covering a story of this magnitude knows it can't be done alone," said Brinton. "It was, and continues to be, a team effort, drawing on the talents of our reporters, columnists, photographers and page designers. I must, though, give special recognition to reporter Hector Flores, who for seven months has covered this story thoroughly and fairly."
"At the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds," Brinton continued, "we don't take great joy in winning these awards, as we normally might. We recognize that the victims, their families, Mepham High School and Bellmore-Merrick community are still reeling from the attacks. We feel the pain each time we write a story. But we are proud of the work we've done, and it is gratifying to have that work recognized by the New York Press Association."
Judges wrote of the community leadership entry, "Exhausted coverage of every angle in this tragic story. Report and columns excellent -- especially Kreiss and Brinton. Well-balanced reporting of column. Outstanding!"
The win was the seventh time that Brinton has taken home the community leadership award, the press association's highest honor, and the fourth time it has gone to the Merrick and Bellmore Heralds.
In addition to his work on the Merrick school stories, East Meadow Editor Nick Buglione received first place in the news story category for his coverage of a job action at the Nassau County Jail, and third for coverage of crime, courts and police.
For his first-place entry, Buglione talked to correctional officers about problems they perceived at the correctional facility, including increased gang activity. The judges wrote, "Story is fair and balanced and does a nice job in telling the story from the perspective of those with the best view -- the people who work there. Extra points for getting correction officers on the record."
The crime entry focused on the murder of a homeless man at Eisenhower Park. "Nick writes in such a way that I, as an outsider, know what the crime means to locals," wrote one judge. "Good job. Its 'cops and courts' news is solid, consistent and well-packaged on inside pages."
Brinton remarked, "Nick's a terrific editor and reporter, and I'm so happy to see his work recognized by the press association. He most certainly deserves the accolades he earns."
Herald Community Newspapers' Village Herald earned second place for education. (That paper has now been divided into the Malverne/West Hempstead and the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Heralds.) The education stories, which focused on school budget and testing results, were written by former Village Herald Editor Cindy Roth and Lynbrook/East Rockaway Editor Karenlyn Barone.
Judges wrote, "Comprehensive writing complemented by graphics -- good."
Franklin Square/Elmont editor Jerry Burke earned second place for coverage of spot news. "Good lede; lots of detail and facts," wrote the judges. "Includes lots of people and their troubles, and all necessary quotes from officials. Excellent turnaround."
Valley Stream Editor Nicole Falco took home one of the coveted feature writing awards. The feature story category always receives the most entries. Falco's story focused on a grieving mother's first year after her son was accidentally electrocuted on Long Island Rail Road tracks near Greis Park in Lynbrook. "A heart-breaking story," judges said.
Herald columnists also captured judges' attention, bringing home two awards. Editorial page columnist Alfred Doblin earned third place in the best column category. Judges complimented his good ledes and strong writing.
Rockville Centre columnist Stan R. Kid earned second place for humor writing. In his monthly column, Kid focuses on issues his neighbors can relate to. Judges wrote, "...consistently warm tone with personality. Fine style, and knows value of writing concisely."
The Herald advertising department won two awards, including second place for best special section -- advertising for the Long Beach Guide -- and best house ad in the Merrick Herald.
"I'm happy for our staffers who earned awards from their peers in the New York Press Association," said John C. O'Connell, the Heralds' executive editor. "It's great to have judges honor you for the work you do. But I also applaud the entire Herald staff, which, every single week, turned out high-quality, news- and feature-filled newspapers. I am most proud of our staff for the consistent, dedicated effort they make every week."
First place
News Story
Nick Buglione
East Meadow Herald
Community Leadership
Bellmore Herald
Coverage of Education
Merrick Herald
Second place
In-Depth Reporting
Bellmore Herald
Spot News Coverage
Jerry Burke, Liz McBreen
Franklin Square/Elmont/W. Hempstead Herald
Best Humor Column
Stan R. Kid
Rockville Centre Herald
Spot News Photo
James Escher
Oceanside/Island Park Herald
Best Special Section -- Advertising
Long Beach Herald
Best House Ad
Merrick Herald
Third place
Coverage of Crime/Police/Courts
East Meadow Herald
Feature Story
Nicole Falco
Valley Stream Herald
Best Column
Alfred Doblin
Coverage of Education
Village Herald
"Exhausted coverage of every angle in this tragic story. Report and columns excellent -- especially Kreiss and Brinton. Well balanced reporting of column. Outstanding!"
"Staff afforded readers a comprehensive examination of athletic hazing."
"Comprehensive writing complemented by graphics -- good."
"Nick writes in such a way that I, as an outsider, know what the crime means to locals. Good job. Its 'cops and courts' news is solid, consistent and well-packaged on inside pages."
"This paper pulled out all the stops in covering a community reeling under the hurt of an unimaginable crime."
"Good lede; lots of detail and facts. Includes lots of people and their troubles, and all necessary quotes from officials. Excellent turnaround."
"Story is fair and balanced and does a nice job in telling the story from the perspective of those with the best view -- the people who work there. Extra points for getting correction officers on the record."
"A heart-breaking story."
"'I kid you not' -- consistently warm tone with personality. Fine style, and knows value of writing concisely."
"Good ledes -- strong writing -- strong voice providing great reader service."
"Strong moment from a minor news event -- well done."
"Truly a guide that is well organized, easy to find what you're looking for, easy to read. A variety of advertising and informative information."
"The ad is right over the plate. If I want local stories, I'm subscribing."
