"Behind the Scenes"
We've been working hard to find out the details of why the Port of Coos Bay no longer has its line of credit to purchase the Coos Bay Rail Line. Bob Larson has been hard at it all week to get comments from the Port or from Umpqua Bank, but both sides are just not willing to talk publicly about what happened.
And thats understandable. To their credit (no pun intended) officials with both sides have at least spoken with us about the sensitivity of the situation, but in very vague terms and only off the record.
Even when we've had the chance to talk with Congressman DeFazio, Rep Hanna or Sen Kruse, the message is: alots going on, its just all very deep behind the scenes.
My take: Sometimes people involved in a highly sensitive situation will talk to us and tell us everything - as long as its off the record. Sometimes they don't. Its fun being in a position to hear it all. And for those of you who think reporters should never go off the record? You'd never last if that was your policy. No one would ever trust you with anything.
Speaking of working behind the scenes...
Don't be fooled by people who think its significant when a third party is asked to investigate a possible criminal case.
Douglas County DA Rick Wesenberg sent this possible interference case involving former Commissioner Kittelman to Jackson County in order to avoid conflict of interest or even the perception of conflict of interest.
Its not because he didn't think it was worthy of his attention or because there is no case.
There may not even be charges filed.
In other, more serious situations like a police shooting or harrassment case, the investigations are always done by an outside entity. That way the jury gets information from someone who does not have a working relationship with anyone involved.
Douglas County takes cases from other places all the time. Its routine.
And in regards to ending up in the news because people know who you are:
Athletes scream about this all the time. Its news when someone famous gets in any kind of trouble at all. Ask every ball player who ever got booked for DUII or domestic assault or speeding. They always say "If my last name were Smith no one would care!"
Thats exactly right. But if you are famous, everyone cares and it is news. Thats the difference between when Mickey Mantle played ball and today. Everybody cares and eyes are everywhere...
And one more thing. If you have had your license suspended and are driving without insurance and get stopped by an OSP trooper...don't try to pull a fast one and claim you don't have a name or birthdate.
The cops can figure out both of those things by the time they book you in jail.
And thats understandable. To their credit (no pun intended) officials with both sides have at least spoken with us about the sensitivity of the situation, but in very vague terms and only off the record.
Even when we've had the chance to talk with Congressman DeFazio, Rep Hanna or Sen Kruse, the message is: alots going on, its just all very deep behind the scenes.
My take: Sometimes people involved in a highly sensitive situation will talk to us and tell us everything - as long as its off the record. Sometimes they don't. Its fun being in a position to hear it all. And for those of you who think reporters should never go off the record? You'd never last if that was your policy. No one would ever trust you with anything.
Speaking of working behind the scenes...
Don't be fooled by people who think its significant when a third party is asked to investigate a possible criminal case.
Douglas County DA Rick Wesenberg sent this possible interference case involving former Commissioner Kittelman to Jackson County in order to avoid conflict of interest or even the perception of conflict of interest.
Its not because he didn't think it was worthy of his attention or because there is no case.
There may not even be charges filed.
In other, more serious situations like a police shooting or harrassment case, the investigations are always done by an outside entity. That way the jury gets information from someone who does not have a working relationship with anyone involved.
Douglas County takes cases from other places all the time. Its routine.
And in regards to ending up in the news because people know who you are:
Athletes scream about this all the time. Its news when someone famous gets in any kind of trouble at all. Ask every ball player who ever got booked for DUII or domestic assault or speeding. They always say "If my last name were Smith no one would care!"
Thats exactly right. But if you are famous, everyone cares and it is news. Thats the difference between when Mickey Mantle played ball and today. Everybody cares and eyes are everywhere...
And one more thing. If you have had your license suspended and are driving without insurance and get stopped by an OSP trooper...don't try to pull a fast one and claim you don't have a name or birthdate.
The cops can figure out both of those things by the time they book you in jail.
posted by Brian at 11:22 AM
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