Last night the editorial board members gathered with several dozen otherValley journalists at the Fresno Art Museum to cheer on our colleague, Russ Minick, who was nominated for a Gruner Award. He was among the top winners getting $500 each for their work. Russ wrote a series of editorials supporting Measure C, which passed by an astounding margin. You can send him a note at rminick@fresnobee.com.
The judges said this about Russ' work:
Judge 1: "Bless Russ Minick. When Fresno County faced overwhelming odds to extend a special transportation sales tax, Minick came in with guns blazing. He led The Bee campaign in behalf of Measure C that rested on a critical assumption about county residents: They could still be reached through an appeal to common sense. And, I might add, a touch of humor. Who else but Minick would have created an editorial likening tax opponents to a child having a temper tantrum? Bravo."
Judge 2: "Minick's pieces rang with authority and clarity, especially the editorials... Good jurnalists explain their viewpoints artfully. Great journalists accept other viewpoints, present them in an honorable, non-demeaning fashion and then refute them -- with facts. Although this was a clear case of journalistic advocacy, Minick's work was filled with openness and honesty."
Judge 3: "This entry features crisp, clear writing and Russell Minick had no excess verbage. I liked the creative ways he used to write the editorials."
I was also very impressed with the other Valley finalists in the contest. There is some excellent investigative journalism going on here and it's great to have the Gruner award to recognize those accomplishments.
The journalism award is named for George Gruner, a former executive editor at The Bee. He now works in concert with the California State University, Fresno journalism department to reward the Valley's best work with an annual contest for public service journalism. Next year marks 20 years of this contest.
Go, Russ!
It sounds a bit incestuous like most of the the award shows.Russ should have won the Snake Oil Salesman of the Year award.
Are there any plans to print up some "Russ is Right" bumper stickers?
Congratulations to Russell for his work's recognition! Shout out! (And the others as well)
well done! good journalism matters. we're fortunate to have Russ in our community.
I think Russ is Right bumper stickers may violate the copyright fot the Rush is Right bumper stickers.I have an extra one if you would like one.