Howard Troxler, metro columnist for the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times visited The Poynter Institute last week to discuss local government issues and journalists' role in covering politics. The event was one in a series of Community Conversations that Poynter has held throughout the last couple of years to give members of the community a chance to talk with journalists about the work they do.

Moderated by Dr. Roy Peter Clark, senior scholar and vice president of Poynter, the Community Conversation drew a crowd of about 70, who asked Troxler questions about topics including the news media's role in holding the government accountable.

"Accountable to me means people can be kicked out of government because the folks don't like what they have done. This isn't happening," said Troxler, who has worked at the Times since 1991 and who has his own blog called TroxBlog.

Listen to the audio slideshow below to hear more excerpts of Troxler's conversation with Clark and the community.