Editorial Standards

Sourcing hierarchy

• Primary evidence: official records — agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, budgets, contracts, public notices and meeting recordings.
• Secondary context: credible local reporting, clearly attributed and never used to establish an official outcome.
• Direct statements: on-the-record comments from officials or public bodies, labeled as statements rather than findings.
• Anything not supported by the above is labeled analysis, allegation, or open question — never presented as verified fact.

Status labels

Every governance story carries one of: PROPOSAL; AGENDA ITEM—NOT YET VOTED; ADOPTED; APPROVED; DENIED; TABLED; NO ACTION; OFFICIAL OUTCOME NOT YET VERIFIED. An agenda motion is never converted into a completed vote.

Comparisons and consistency

Prior decisions are cited only when they are materially comparable, and every comparison states the important differences. Where a pattern raises a question, we describe it as a possible inconsistency requiring explanation and publish the comparable facts, the differences, the vote history, the applicable rule or policy, plausible alternative explanations, and the evidence still missing. We assert no bias, prejudice, conflict or misconduct without documentary evidence, and we clearly separate verified fact, analysis, allegation and open question.

Bylines, timestamps and updates

Every article shows a byline, a publication timestamp, an updated timestamp and a corrections log. Substantive post-publication changes are labeled, never made silently.

Publication workflow

1. 1. INGESTED DRAFT

   Created from a source item — by hand today, by an automated collector once one is connected. Drafts are never publicly visible.

2. 2. VERIFIED

   An editor has opened the primary record, confirmed the body, date and status field, and attached the official source URL.

3. 3. APPROVED

   A second read confirms status labels, vote handling, comparability statements and neutral language on any possible inconsistency.

4. 4. PUBLISHED

   Publishable only when required official citations and status fields are complete. Missing citation or missing status blocks publication.

Ownership and conflicts

This site is independently owned and operated by a Marple Newtown resident. It accepts no government funding and no payment for coverage. Restaurant and community features are unpaid editorial and carry no sponsorship. If a story involves a dispute in which the owner or editor is personally a party, a prominent disclosure is published with the story and the copy is independently reviewed before publication.