Letter: Article was too negative

Dear Editor,

I am writing in regard to the article you printed on Jeff and Greg Knoll in your June 5 paper.

In my personal opinion, as well as the opinion expressed to me by many others, I find the article one of the worst examples of journalism I have ever read. I have read this paper for many years and haven’t ever questioned its journalistic integrity until now.

From some personal experience and a little investigating I came up with a few things about these two brothers that would be better suited in an article regarding their death than the (I’ll put it nicely) junk your reporter came up with.

Jeff and Greg spent the first part of their lives living in Minneapolis until they moved to Wisconsin in 1974.

They spent much of their young lives on the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. The Knoll family owned a house boat and spent a great deal of time on the water making many lifelong friends. This led to Jeff and Greg’s love of the water and boating.

From a very young age the boys were taught various mechanical skills under the direction of their father Willy Knoll. This led to their extensive knowledge as import mechanics.

These men were very proud of their strong German heritage. Their father moved here from Germany in 1959.

Both Jeff and Greg were avid football fans: Jeff loved the Vikings and Greg the Packers.

Many camping trips were made by these two men, which were always a good time (rain or shine).

Jeff loved golf and spending time with his dogs, Tucker and Harley.

Greg always could enjoy a good book.

They could always bring on a laugh or smile. A great sense of humor.

Jeff and Greg both had an indescribable awesome love for their children as well as other children in their lives (nieces, nephews and friends).

These were just FEW of the good things about these men with hearts and souls as well as friends, family and children that loved them unconditionally. Jeff and Greg would have ALWAYS been there to help ANYONE in need — the saddest part of which they couldn’t always help themselves.

These men, at times, led tragic lives which, sadly, may have led to their tragic and untimely death. My heart breaks for this family and, for the life of me, I cannot figure out why the Star-Observer would print what it did, especially when some of what was printed WAS NOT TRUE.

I would expect a front page article to, at the very least, be researched and facts be checked before adding humiliation on top of tragedy to an already suffering family.

Tags: opinion, hudson, letter, knoll, jenkins