Bizarre turn of events at city press conference
There’s lots to say about the press conference at City Hall, led by City Manager Mitchell Johnson, about the ongoing investigation into the police department scandal and former Chief David Wray. We had several folks there, and will update soonest, but let me just throw this out:
Willy Hammer, publisher of the Rhino Times, asked Johnson if tension between Johnson and Wray had anything to do with a rumor that they dated the same woman. Some members of city council, as well as city staffers, laughed out loud.
Johnson patiently explained he started dating his wife when he was a freshman (presumably at UNCG, where he graduated) and married in 1987. He vehemently denied he has ever had an extramarital affair.
Hammer pressed him further, saying he never implied there was an affair, just "dating."
Johnson then said, with a self-effacing grin, that his wife is the only woman he has ever dated.
I was embarrassed the question came up. My colleagues and I always are struggling against an image people have of the media as – how to put this kindly - being obnoxious. That question didn’t help.
Comments (2)
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Did you say Rhino Times or National Enquirer?
Posted on October 6, 2006 2:02 PM
Really.
That question was, well childish, especially coming from a weekly newspaper that at least is doing some in depth reporting by your former alum, Jerry Bledsoe. I would have thought the Rhino would have had other questions to ask Mr. Johnson as a result of Jerry's series of articles instead of matters relating to dating habits.
Posted on October 6, 2006 3:37 PM