By now most people know what "outsourcing" is, you know, company jobs that are contracted for, usually in another country, where they can be done cheaper.

Being a local government reporter, the thought never occurred to me that my job could be outsourced. After all it takes a certain amount of intestinal fortitude to attend and sit through all the meetings that go on in Bismarck, Mandan and Lincoln. But it's what I do and what I'm paid for… I'm comfortable with it.

Now comes a story out of Pasadena, Calif., about a news Web site that has outsourced coverage of local government to two journalists in India. They write articles about city council meetings that they can watch over the Internet.

Some of the local government meetings here in Bismarck are televised, including the Bismarck City Commission, Burleigh County Commission, Bismarck School Board, Bismarck and Burleigh planning and zoning. I could save some effort by just plopping down in front of my TV, take notes, write the story on my laptop and e-mail it in.

But I've watched these meetings on TV before and you don't get near the feel for an issue as you do by being there. A lot of things go on that aren't caught by the limited view of the camera and these are usually the things that make it really interesting.

There's a lot of talk about televising of Mandan, Morton and Bismarck park board meetings. Susan Beehler does her best to provide televised coverage by videotaping meetings and having it run on the community channel. I'll give Beehler credit for taping these proceedings for no compensation.

But to me it doesn't matter, I still figure the best way to report on a meeting is to be there. Before, after and sometimes even during the meetings there is opportunity to talk to participants and these discussions can be much more enlightening than anything said on camera.

And while I've done my fair share of telephone and e-mail interviews, nothing beats face-to-face when you're trying to find the facts.

So it shouldn't be surprising that I think the plan to outsource local journalism is less than acceptable. Anybody that wants to know what's going on in their community shouldn't be relying on someone half a world away to tell them.

It might save a few bucks, but in the long run it also will cost you your credibility and eventually your readers. As the old adage goes, "you get what you pay for."

River Road reopens

River Road which was rerouted during construction of the east side approach, is expected to be reopened by next weekend, according to Mike Kopp, Department of Transportation information coordinator.

This will allow motorists to drive under the new bridge though there may be some interruptions with traffic directed by flaggers.

Concrete box girders, like those put up on the east approach, will begin to be set on the west approach as early as next week.

Meetings next week

The Burleigh County Commission meets at 5 p.m. Monday and the Metropolitan Planning Organization policy board meets at 1 p.m.

The Bismarck City Commission meets at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday there is a special meeting of the Bismarck Park Board at a time and location to be determined.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)