Why there was a "media frenzy"
Greensboro City Council member Sandy Carmany wonders why we spent so much time last night contacting council members about the status of Police Chief David Wray. She explains why she wouldn't comment on his status. I'll explain why we pursued it.
She says that council members are barred from involvement on personnel issues, a stance that their fellow elected officials, the county commissioners, don't follow. But the fact is that some council members do occasionally comment on issues that others may advise them not to. They're motivated by a variety of things, including frustration with the process, a belief that truth must out, and politics. So we doggedly ask their opinions.
We also ask because, while the investigation into the police chief may be an internal city matter, council members are ultimately responsible. Citizens expect the council to run a tight ship and when things appear off-kilter, it's the council that citizens look to. Even though the city manager has sole authority to hire and fire a police chief, the electorate holds the council responsible for the actions and operation of city government. With that in mind, it's natural to check in with council members for their opinions on how things are going. We think citizens are interested.
In this case, we also sought council insight because the announcement by the city manager was mystifying in many ways. The police chief is still on duty, but he's locked out of his own office? This after he was stripped of his ability to hire, fire, promote or transfer officers in the department without permission? It seems fair for citizens -- and the media -- to wonder about the leadership of the police department when the chief isn't trusted with access to his own office. We always hope to find someone else who can shine a little more light.
So, that's why we ask. It's not to hector you, I promise. Unfortunately, we don't know if it is a waste of time until we spend the time asking.
Comments (3)
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John,
I hope I didn't imply that I felt harassed by the numerous calls -- not at all. All those calls were from different media outlets so it wasn't any one reporter repeatedly contacting me. In fact, my husband and I were joking each time the phone rang "wonder which one [TV station or newspaper] it is this time."
I fully understand and accept that we council members are going to be called as issues arise -- you have an obligation to your readers to pursue every avenue in order to keep them fully informed. I was merely trying to educate folks and help them understand why there have been so few comments from elected officials on this very volatile, mystifying city issue.
Posted on January 7, 2006 6:04 PM
Somebody must not like his politics. Isn't that they way G'boro and Guilford Co. does business? If they don't lock you out then they bring false charges against you and keep hounding you in hopes that you will fold.
Sounds like more of the same old same old.
Nothing changes in politics in that area or so it would seem.
Posted on January 7, 2006 7:34 PM
No, Sandy, I didn't take it that way. You had a good post from your end of the telephone. I thought I'd explain it from our end. I sympathize, actually. Dick Grubar used to be my next-door neighbor, and I witnessed first-hand the number and kinds of phone calls he would get throughout an evening. Frankly, I don't know how you guys do it.
Posted on January 8, 2006 8:06 AM