Yes, the editorial collective is responsible for selecting the center column content -- whether it be produced by the editors, or just a really good article from the newswire (which may always be considered for the Features column). That's what makes this the Baltimore IMC, rather than "Scott the news junky's blog".

Your notion of "gatekeeping" seems to include any form of editorial administration. If that's the case, I can live with being a gatekeeper.

E-D-I-T-O-R. Duh.