Lights, camera, wait..where's the candidate?
A funny thing happened as we prepared to roll on our first Seattle City Council debate. One of the candidates just didn't show up...
I can't remember that ever happening. We've had candidates stuck in traffic, candidates who have cancelled for illness or emergencies, but just not to show up--that's a first.
City Council incumbent Jean Godden showed up early. Along with Seattle Times reporter Sharon Chan, we all went into the studio and were ready to go. But after waiting 45 minutes, it was apparent that challenger Joe Szwaja was missing in action.
Our producer Mike Cate went back and checked his e-mails. Sure enough, the campaign had confirmed. And Cate even sent one last notice the day before: "Just a reminder that we're looking forward to seeing Joe tomorrow (Friday) at KING at 9am," he wrote to Szwaja's campaign. Szwaja's campaign manager wrote back, "Thanks for the reminder Mike. He'll be there tomorrow."
As Godden, who had re-arranged her schedule to attend the debate, sat graciously waiting in our studio, we decided to forge ahead. We taped an interview with Godden, telling our audience what had happened. An hour later, Szwaja called back. He wasn't specific, but he apologized saying he had some "deadlines" at school and just couldn't make it.
Too bad. Szwaja has raised some challenging issues about downtown development and the Council's independence from the mayor. That debate will just have to wait for another day.
Comments
Why, Ms. Fenton do you see a child being molested... when the rest of us see a child playing with their father?
As a child, I had molestation issues in my family and I do not see this as a molestation piece, I see it as a work of art.
If you have had issues regarding molestation in the past, maybe you should deal with those privately and not in the public eye.
Posted by: Jody Daggs | September 30, 2007 11:24 AM
DOES THE CITY COUNCIL PLAN TO ADDRESS THE UNFAIR, REGRESSIVE FALSE ALARM ORDIANCES, WHICH PENALIZES SMALL BUSINESSES OF SEATTLE, ALTHOUGH THE TARKET MAY HAVE BEEN THE NATIONAL COMPANIES IN ABILITY TO SOLVE A PROBLEM, BROUGHT ON BY THEMSELVES. THANKS Vern
Posted by: VERN NICHOLS | September 30, 2007 11:29 AM
Good morning Ms. Fenton,
My wife and I discussed the issue regarding the sculpture, and try as we might, we really do not see how this sculpture promotes predatory behavior in adults againts children. What we do see is an artistic representation of a young boy reaching out to his future, older self as a man. The fountain clearly seperates the two.
Posted by: Stanton Gene Kawaihinano Otero | September 30, 2007 11:34 AM
I thought that Sharon Chan of the Seattle Times appeared notably biased against Godden, really went after her. Not very even-handed.
Posted by: watcher | September 30, 2007 8:01 PM
I agree, Watcher. I thought Sharon was overly combative and aggressive towards Jean, especially considering that her opponent did not even show up for the debate. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that Jean used to work for the Times and therefore reporters now feel obligated to be very tough on her in order to prove that they aren't sympathetic in some way.
Posted by: Pundit | October 1, 2007 11:22 AM