“Your local source for news,” the Sun Journal motto, carries with it a responsibility to provide readers just that: a balanced, reliable source of local news.

However, your May 22 cover “news” story regarding the Auburn City Council’s tabling of the rezoning amendment belied that obligation to the community.

Although giving substantial coverage to the developer’s perspective, you made inadequate mention of the more than 25 residents in opposition who filled the council chambers that night; inadequate mention of the testimony of nine residents in opposition to the amendment; and no mention of the 91 Auburn residents who signed a petition opposing the proposed amendment.

You similarly omitted nearly all of the residents’ arguments about the process and the content of the proposal.

The issue of the recreational rezoning proposal is a complex and fraught one, evoking strong emotions on both sides.

It is one thing to include your editorial point of view in a one-sided opinion column, as you did on May 23, but presenting a similarly biased story as front-page news is deeply troubling.

You argue strenuously (and one might say “emotionally”) for advancing the interests of a country club developer, but we residents are trying to protect our homes, our neighborhood and our city.

You would think our local newspaper would give at least as much consideration to the concerns of a large number of residents as it does to a private developer.

We are thankful that the Auburn City Council did.

Michelle Vazquez Jacobus, Auburn