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By DAVID J. RALIS; Times Leader Staff Writer
Sunday, March 08, 1998     Page: 1A

WILKES-BARRE- Several newspaper readers said they are bothered when
politicians refuse to talk to one news media outlet, but keep talking to
others.
   
“I think they could manipulate the news that way,” said Ed Cislo, 44, a
computer operator from Dupont. “Some papers are very conservative and by
omission they don’t tell the truth.”
    Told that Hazleton Mayor Michael Marsicano and Luzerne County Commissioners
Chairman Tom Makowski don’t speak to The Times Leader, Cislo said the
politicians are making a mistake by keeping mum.
   
“I feel a public official should be able to take some heat if a reporter
asks a difficult question,” he said.
   
Allan Dick, a Prudential Securities stockbroker who lives in Hazleton,
agreed. “They know what they’re getting into before they get into office,” he
said. “To stop communicating with the press is to stop communicating with us.”
   
Although he doesn’t read newspapers often, Dick said: “I do know Marsicano
and The Times Leader fight left and right. I don’t think you’ve been malicious
in reporting. It shows a lot more about the questions being asked of the
politician than the slant in the story.”
   
Marcie Mansfield, 48, of Sweet Valley, Ross Township, said she “definitely”
is bothered by politicians who give the silent treatment to a portion of the
media.
   
Told Marsicano and Makowski are mute by choice, Mansfield said: “I think
they should talk. How are people going to know what they’re thinking?”
   
The grandmother and First Priority health insurance employee said she
doesn’t get much time to read. However, she said such behavior is “very
childish. It’s ridiculous. I speak to people all the time who I’m angry with.”
   
Michael Coyle, a Scranton resident who works for American Telnet Inc. in
Wilkes-Barre, said he assumes “there’s something funny” when he finds a
politician quoted in one newspaper and refusing to comment in another.
   
“It’s like they know they can be treated more favorably,” Coyle said.