There are times when even I get writers’ block (which some might describe as a block head), so I decided to do something original. I sat down and thought through all the questions I received over the years about my Webb Weekly columns. Here are a few of them and my responses.

“Where do you get your ideas for your articles?” It starts by attending the Lycoming County Commissioners Meetings every week. Even in a short meeting (which is VERY rare), something or other pops up that I say to myself, “That might be worth looking into.” Other times, it is something that I read somewhere that sparks my thought process.

“Where do you get all your background information?” Basically, it follows the Pareto Rule, which states 80 percent of results comes from 20 percent of the causes. (Example: many merchants note that 80 percent of their sales come from 20 percent of their customers. The same thing applies to complaints!) I get 80 percent of my information from a base of people and websites.

“Which websites do you use the most often?” When it comes to local government, I recommend four very good sources of information. For Lycoming County government info, go to lyco.org. The sites of our three state officials, Senator Yaw (www.senatorgeneyaw.com) and Representatives Joe Hamm (www.repjoehamm.com), and Jeff Wheeland (www.repwheeland.com), are updated often and provide a wealth of information about what goes on in Harrisburg. Beyond that, I check websites from a broad spectrum. The best site that gives me both sides is http://www.realclearpolitics.com.

“Why don’t you write about the ____ controversy?” Everyone has their favorite outrage that they strongly encourage me to look into and feature in my column.

Again, I choose to follow my Pareto 80/20 Rule. Eighty percent or more of the things I write will be upbeat and positive. I like, and I mean I really, really like, to share positive stories. When I have to lift up the rock and describe what is underneath, it will generally be to help others better understand what the issue is and not what rumor and hearsay describe what it is.

“I noticed a mistake in your article…” Yes, yes, yes, I know. The tyranny of the urgent (i.e., deadlines) sometimes results in misspelled names or words, wrong dates, incorrect references, and such. I confess to imperfection. My retort is to hold up a blank sheet of white paper that has a small black dot in the middle and ask someone what they see. Almost everyone will reply, “a black dot.” Yet would not a better description be, “I see a sheet of white paper with a very small black dot in the middle?” I get it; human nature likes to focus on the negative. Hopefully, my black dots are becoming fewer and farther between.

“What’s the hardest part of writing articles for Webb Weekly?” Other than people complaining about my mistakes in grammar or spelling? Seriously, I would not be doing this if it was not a lot of personal satisfaction in getting a chance to highlight the people and agencies that fly below the radar but do an amazing job that rarely is appreciated. The hard part is that I have to leave so much good stuff on the cutting room floor.

“What was the hardest subject or event you have had to write about?” The answer might be surprising, but it is the story of the levee renovation. It is just too big — the story, not the levee. I have followed this for nearly seven years and have made it the subject of several articles. But there are so many moving parts involving so many various government departments and officials, it would take a book to really tell this story. My great frustration is that the story of a levee repair is about as exciting as watching paint dry, yet were it not for all the people that have worked so hard on this project, one major flood would be like a death sentence to the future of our area. It is the biggest, most important story that will never get the attention it deserves.

“What are you working on now?” I’d like it to be a Pulitzer Prize. But, realistically, my focus in the coming months will be to envision what a post-COVID world will look like for our area. How practical is the county’s Comprehensive Plan for the next decade? How will the strain on emergency services be resolved? There are a host of issues on the horizon. Stay tuned.