TicketNetwork representatives have asked the Journal Inquirer to remove reporter Suzanne Carlson from coverage of the Planning and Zoning Commissions hearings on the company’s proposal to build an amphitheater on South Frontage Road , alleging that there is conflict of interest , since Carlson , a recent graduate of Hampshire College in Amherst , Mass ., lives on Valley Falls Drive , which is not far from the proposed site .

A statement from Viveca Woods from VMW Public Relations , LLC , read : “ Since Ms . Carlson lives just beyond the proposed venue site , her interests are directly connected to the story , as she is a neighbor in addition to being a reporter . ”

Additionally , the statement said that a main opponent of the venue , John Roe , who created a Web site as a resource for others against the project , is a resident of a home six numbers away from Carlson’s address .

Nothing about Carlson’s residence was disclosed in the articles she wrote on the topic of the venue .

Via a second e-mailed statement , TicketNetwork claims that it did not initiate the investigation , and that it was Carlson herself who told Ticket-Network’s management team of the conflicts of interest on Feb . 4 .

“ When TicketNetwork realized that this was a potential reason for the unfair reporting up to that point , then the team confirmed her stated facts , ” the statement read .

Furthermore , the statement read , “ ... our analysis of Ms . Carlson’s coverage found that there are very noticeable differences in the equality of coverage of both sides of the story and verifiable conflicts of interests that set the stage for potential for biased coverage . ”

Carlson confirmed her address , and called the allegations by Woods “ beyond the realm of acceptable behavior for a P . R . person . ”

“ I really have no opinion on it , ” Carlson said of the proposal . “ It makes me wonder why they’d just assume that I’d be opposed . ”

TicketNetwork also alleges a second case of conflict of interest , as Carlson’s father , Jeffery A . Carlson , works for the Town of Vernon’s Parks and Rec . Department , which was also not disclosed .

Woods said TicketNetwork has not asked that the Journal Inquirer cease coverage of the story , only that it be done by someone other than Carlson .

“ It is fairly standard for a request for a reassignment of a reporter to be issued and granted by newspapers and other media outlets , ” the statement said .

Journal Inquirer Managing Editor Chris Powell said , also via an e-mailed statement , that he knew Carlson lived in Vernon , but did not know her exact address until it was pointed out by TicketNetwork . He added that their claim that her residence abuts the site is incorrect , and that her father’s position is not relevant , since he has no zoning or development jurisdiction .

Powell said that the conflict of interest , as described by TicketNetwork , can’t exist unless it is acknowledged that the venue would indeed be a nuisance to its neighbors .

Contact Steve Smith at ssmith@remindernet . com .