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DEL.ICIO.USABC News comes to Valdosta: ‘Let’s not let them make any hay…or dirt,’ says the mayor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Charlie Gibson and ABC News are headed down to south Georgia next week, to gauge the impact of the presidential race.
When Big Media comes to a small town, mayors get nervous. At least John Fretti in Valdosta did.
After a conversation with an ABC producer, Mayor Fretti was unimpressed. He fired off a Sept. 18 memo to the Valdosta City Council that has been circulated widely:
Gentlemen, it is obvious that ABC news is trying to create and report on a social and political train wreck in our community that isn’t happening (as far as I know).
I don’t offer any advice than this: talk to them or don’t talk to them if they call, but be very wary of their premise and tactics. She seemed disappointed that I haven’t noticed a fervor, yard signs or “fighting in the street” and I told her that she’s not going to portray our community as a Small Town in the South that is socially and politically split over a National election and that we are always cordial and polite here and our community is intact. If any of you choose to say otherwise, then that is your choice….
Let’s not let them make any hay…or dirt.
The entire e-mail can be read on the jump, as can the local Chamber of Commerce’s attempt to get the facts and smooth things over, and ABC’s declaration that they come in peace.
One thing you need to note for context’s sake: Fretti is white. Mayor pro tem Willie Head is African-American.
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From: John Fretti
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 7:04 PM
To: VLD-City Council; Larry Hanson; Mara Register; Sementha Mathews
Subject: ABC News-Charlie Gibson
Council,
I received a call today from [Caren Zucker] of ABC news wanting to come to Valdosta to supposedly take the pulse of the community regarding the upcoming Presidential election. As the conversation continued it was easy to recognize that ABC news is attempting to and I quote, “see how divided our community has become over the election”. It is also apparent that without knowing how Mayor Pro Tem [Willie] Head or I personally feel about the election that she wants to pit us against one another because, as she said “we are a mixed community and a mixed Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem and we certainly must be overtly disagreeing on this race” I was insulted. She also said that the local democratic party has stated in a youtube spot that the election will change our community forever.” I haven’t seen that spot and I certainly think that Dr. Marks and Attorney Gaskins meant that in the most positive way — if they even said that.
Gentlemen, it is obvious that ABC news is trying to create and report on a social and political train wreck in our community that isn’t happening (as far as I know).
I don’t offer any advice than this: talk to them or don’t talk to them if they call, but be very wary of their premise and tactics. She seemed disappointed that I haven’t noticed a fervor, yard signs or “fighting in the street” and I told her that she’s not going to portray our community as a Small Town in the South that is socially and politically split over a National election and that we are always cordial and polite here and our community is intact. If any of you choose to say otherwise, then that is your choice. She is asking to speak to Willie and I asked Sementha to give Willie her number — not Willie’s number to her. That is normal protocol.
If this is disturbing to you, then try to pre-[empt]this by talking to your constituents and friends.
I find it so distasteful when people try to portray us in a negative fashion as they either see in Hollywood or in their mind-having never been here. ABC news is hoping to come to Valdosta next Friday and Charlie Gibson the following Friday. Let’s not let them make any hay…or dirt.
I will try to have a follow up if needed next week.
Sincerely and respectfully,
John
From: “Myrna Ballard” [president, Valdosta Chamber of Commerce]
To: “John Fretti”
Subject: The Latest on ABC News…PLEASE READ
Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:55:06 +0000
Hello everyone!
Well….if our Mayor is concerned…the Chamber is concerned.
When I received the Mayor’s email, I contacted the News Director for the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee (Keith Wheeler), who was in town earlier this week with ABC World News Producer Sean Smith and Stu Schutzman to scout anchor venues for Charlie Gibson’s broadcast on Oct. 3. I did not share the Mayor’s email with Keith (or anyone else), but I did share with Keith the Mayor’s concerns regarding ABC’s plans for Valdosta. Keith also was very concerned, and arranged a conference call with Caren Zucker, the ABC producer who spoke with the Mayor. I just got off the phone with Keith and Caren.
Caren assured me that Valdosta was chosen because we are a well-integrated community racially, which makes us a good, representative community for ‘checking the pulse’ of voters in the upcoming elections. ABC was looking for a progressive, vibrant, racially balanced community, and we fit the bill. I believe she is sincere.
Caren asked me, “How can I fix this?” I asked her to write me an email, outlining her plans for Valdosta. She seemed genuinely concerned and sorry that she had given the impression that ABC was looking for a negative story. She seemed to understand that her use of the term “battleground” could easily be misinterpreted. Please see her email below. Thanks, John, for looking after your City.
I’m ready to welcome ABC to Valdosta. Let’s show them just how progressive, vibrant, and hospitable we really are!
Myrna
BELOW IS THE LETTER FROM ABC NEWS
Dear [Myrna],
Thank you so much for contacting me and letting me know that there may have been some misunderstanding about ABC’s plans for coming to Valdosta.
Charlie Gibson and some of his producers will be taking a bus tour to some of the battleground states reporting on the upcoming Presidential elections - for example: Orlando,Florida, Dayton, Ohio, and numerous other states including Valdosta, GA. We are excited about coming to Valdosta as it is a beautiful, diverse community - that stands out in Georgia as a cosmopolitan southern town.
I was planning on coming next Friday to do some preliminary taping of general scenes of town , scenery, etc.” The Director of the Board of Elections Deb Cox suggested that I come and shoot at her headquarters as there has been a HUGE increase in voter registration. I was also planning to shoot the Wild Cat Football team Friday night, as it is a great example of how a community comes together to have the winning most HS football team in the nation.
Our plan is to come out and shoot some of the beauty and landmark areas of the town and get a sense of what the election means to this community. At this point in time we think we may have Charlie do the show in front of Valdosta State University on Friday the 3rd.. I was also hoping that you might be able to set me up with some people that Charlie could chat with on that Friday morning to get their feeling and thoughts on the upcoming election. He is looking forward to talking to people in the community .
I hope we can talk soon and set all of this up.
Many thanks for your help,
Caren
Caren Zucker
Producer
World News with Charles Gibson
Comments
By Ga Dem
September 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
ABC News needs to bring lots of mosquito repellant!
By Maniac is accurate
September 26, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
The mayor’s right. It’s a hatchet job. Just wait and see.
By Burp FartFace
September 26, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
iffen they paint u dumb rednecks as such i sayes we kick their arses back up the streest to new york city yeah heaarhh..
By Valdosta
October 4, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
I think that it is interesting that you did not quote your staff person who originally called the mayor, nor did you quote the staff person who called to say that ABC messed up! You only quote what you want to make your “racial tension” story, which only goes to prove of what Mayor Fretti was concerned. Don’t twist the “facts” like you in the media always do. Tell the WHOLE story, not just what suits your own propaganda.
By Valdosta
October 4, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I think that it is interesting that you did not quote your staff person who originally called the mayor, nor did you quote the staff person who called to say that ABC messed up! You only quote what you want to make your “racial tension” story, which only goes to prove of what Mayor Fretti was concerned. Don’t twist the “facts” like you in the media always do. Tell the WHOLE story, not just what suits your own propaganda.
By Valdosta
October 4, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I think that it is interesting that you did not quote your staff person who originally called the mayor, nor did you quote the staff person who called to say that ABC messed up! You only quote what you want to make your “racial tension” story, which only goes to prove of what Mayor Fretti was concerned. Don’t twist the “facts” like you in the media always do. Tell the WHOLE story, not just what suits your own propaganda.
By Valdosta
October 4, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
I think that it is interesting that you did not quote your staff person who originally called the mayor, nor did you quote the staff person who called to say that ABC messed up! You only quote what you want to make your “racial tension” story, which only goes to prove of what Mayor Fretti was concerned. Don’t twist the “facts” like you in the media always do. Tell the WHOLE story, not just what suits your own propaganda.
By Valdosta
October 4, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
I think that it is interesting that you did not quote your staff person who originally called the mayor, nor did you quote the staff person who called to say that ABC messed up! You only quote what you want to make your “racial tension” story, which only goes to prove of what Mayor Fretti was concerned. Don’t twist the “facts” like you in the media always do. Tell the WHOLE story, not just what suits your own propaganda.