Neill McNeill's Blog

You won't believe some of the e-mail I receive every day. What follows is an example. I received it today (two days before Thanksgiving). It's something to consider as you begin to prepare to cook and eat the big meal.

What do you think? Do vegetarians really  feel "alienated" when we news anchors mention falling asleep after eating turkey? (I've never used the "being more stuffed than a bird" line.) Are we heading down the road of perhaps not mentioning "turkey" on the air at all?  (Sure, that may be an extreme... but I'm beginning to think there are some out there who'd like us not to.) Is this becoming more like (as this sender implies) the "Happy Holidays"/"Merry Christmas" political correct wars of years past?

Dear Neill,

This week, as you prepare for your Thanksgiving Day broadcasts, I ask you to please remember the millions of Americans who won't be eating any turkey on Thursday: vegetarians.

 The yearly references to falling asleep after eating turkey or of being "more stuffed than the bird" are meant to be light-hearted, but they can also be alienating for vegetarians, many of whom will receive enough teasing from their extended families this Thanksgiving. Sadly, these well-meaning jokes from local news anchors can serve to highlight their exclusion once again.

 Perhaps this Thanksgiving, you and your news team could do for vegetarians what the phrase "happy holidays" has done for people who do not celebrate Christmas—simply prepare a more inclusive post-Thanksgiving broadcast. For ethical, religious, environmental, and health reasons, many folks will be dining on delicious soy-based Tofurky this year. We would be happy to provide additional information about this wonderful and humane alternative that gives turkeys a reason to say "thank you." 

 With warmest holiday wishes,

 Amanda Schinke

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

212-675-6169

AmandaS@peta.org

It will probably be a few days before the real historic significance of last night settles in. I mean, think about it—our first African-American President. And this person just didn’t slip into the office. Barack Obama won Florida, Virginia, and Ohio (Joe The Plumber’s home state) —and may quite possibly take North Carolina! (All of them states George Bush carried comfortably in 2004.)

So, how did we get to this point?

Some have said this was the best-run national campaign in history—or at least recent memory. I don’t disagree. Sure, the disapproval ratings of the current administration, the economy, and the Republican vice-presidential choice were all factors, but I say it started much earlier.

Much like Jesse Helms perfected the art of mass mailings in the 1970s, Barack Obama’s team became the first team in history to use the internet successfully to organize and create a base. That resulted in an unprecedented “ground game” that overwhelmed anything John McCain could produce. That ground operation not only registered voters and got more young people involved, it helped get more people to the polls yesterday and encouraged more people—especially North Carolina Democrats—to vote early.

Leaders of all types can learn from Barack Obama himself. It seemed as if he put a lot of thought behind just about everything he did and say. (Although the Joe The Plumber “Spread the Wealth” comment is something he probably regrets.} I was impressed he never got into the “guilt by association” game to the extent his opponent did. Americans are tired of this old and tired strategy. It didn’t work. Obama linked John McCain to one person—George Bush. The message was simple and by doing this, Obama set the tone of the campaign to his advantage.

Obama also stayed away from bitter personal attacks. Nothing illustrates this more clearly than what he said in the days before the Republican National Convention when we learned Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter was pregnant out of wedlock. Obama responded by saying, “My mom had me when she was 18.” That was it. The issue suddenly became a non-issue. Dead silence. Obama took the high road.

Obama is also an example of how approaching complicated issues in a calm, thoughtful, and professional way wins over people. Americans obviously don’t want someone who “shoots from the hip” and repeats a “fight, fight, fight” mantra. This strategy, especially during the debates, made John McCain appear overly aggressive and—to be honest---irritable, angry, erratic, and unpredictable.

Obama also-- to a certain extent-- nullified the traditional Republican “tax and spend” criticism of Democrats. One comment he made this week summed it up perfectly. “America doesn’t need more spending or less spending. It needs SMART spending.”

No doubt Obama has perfected the art of being SMART. Let’s hope and pray he continues to be.

I wear mascara and lipstick! Okay, I’ve admitted it for the first time in this format. (Although those of you who’ve heard me speak extemporaneously before large and small groups have heard me mention this many times. But rarely have I mentioned it on air.)

All the recent hoopla regarding the Republican National Committee’s spending $150,000.00 to boost Governor Sarah Palin’s appearance got me thinking. Did the RNC break the law by using campaign money for “personal use?” Was $150-grand too much? That’s for others to decide.

But I don’t disagree with the RNC’s making Palin’s appearance management a priority. (And believe me, she was a beautiful woman before she became John McCain’s running mate.)

I know a little bit about appearance. Mainly, it’s because I’ve had to work so hard on mine over the years. (Some may argue I need to do a lot more work, and I wouldn’t disagree.) When I began working in television news 25 years ago, never in my wildest dreams did I see myself working with wardrobe, hair, and makeup consultants. But I have! And their advice over the years has been invaluable.

Why? I believe first impressions are based primarily on how a person looks. All the stuff about personality and trust comes later. But in the world of television in which a viewer can pick up a remote control and switch you off in a matter of seconds, you want to take as many negatives out of your appearance as possible.

This is why the person who cuts and styles my hair today also consults me on makeup and wardrobe. I have neither the time nor desire to keep up with the latest trends in hairstyles and fashion. He does.

There are, of course, exceptions. Sometimes when on the air, the late Tim Russert of NBC News looked as if he had forgotten to comb his hair. And there are other TV news anchors (both national and local) who certainly aren’t “tall, dark, and handsome” or “drop dead gorgeous” in the traditional sense. But most of us can’t get away with letting our appearance slide.

Another thing I’ve learned is television viewers (both male and female)  place women on a higher “appearance standard” than men. No, that’s not sexist. It’s a fact. Julie Luck and I have this running joke that most of the e-mail she receives is of the “you’re so beautiful” or “I love it when you wear your glasses” variety while most of my e-mail falls into the “that was a really bad story” category. Am I jealous?  “You bet-cha!” (Just kidding! I couldn’t resist!)

No doubt women on television have to work much harder than their male counterparts on appearance. After all, I can wear about five or six different ties with one suit and it looks as if I have five or six different outfits. Julie has to fill her closet with multiple, completely different outfits.

One of the things TV news managers look for when hiring on-air reporters or anchors is how well the candidates or potential candidates manage their appearance. It is consistent? Is it appealing? Is there anything regarding the candidate’s hair/clothing/makeup we could help improve if we do hire this person?

Yes, if you’re on television a lot (like Sarah Palin is now), how you look needs to be a priority. Appearance matters.

Now, please excuse me while I run to the store to buy some more eye makeup remover.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for election day to get here and for all the campaigning to stop.

I can't remember a more bitter period leading up to election day in my lifetime. All the swipes and attacks FROM BOTH SIDES have drained me. Someone asked me the other day what I thought of all the negative ads. I said I think there are so many of them, they're cancelling each other out. (Hence the "tightness" of so many of the polls.)

Sure all the campaign ads are nice sources of income for television stations (especially in a weak economy), but I believe most people have had enough. The ads--along with many other factors including partisan news organizations and talk show hosts (again, representing both sides)--- have created an unparalleled level of hysteria about each of the candidates... especially the presidential and vice-presidential ones.

I even received an e-mail and the newsroom took one or two calls from people who saw news clips of a speech Barack Obama gave in Ohio today. He was standing in front of a couple of American flags and a couple of other flags described by the person who sent me the e-mail as-- "They had white and blue stripes along with a blue triangle to the left with circle and stars. Could you tell me who's flag this is? Almost looked like a version of Cuba's flag?"

One of the newsroom callers even implied this flag supported speculation that Obama was a Muslim.

Well, it happened to be the State Flag of Ohio.

I even noticed Shepard Smith of the Fox News Channel  mention specifically tonight in his copy something to this effect--- "Barack Obama, standing in front of both the American and Ohio state flags unveiled his new economic plan today." Good for you, Shep. That's the way to cut right at the heart of all the speculation. I wish I had thought to do the same thing. 

I agree with everyone who says this election is important. (Aren't they all?) I just hope these last few days pass quickly. I'm ready to get on with life.

It was as if I had just interviewed Elvis. New Guilford County School Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green and I walked from the Guilford County Schools Board Room to the lobby and the first person to run up to greet him was a local real estate agent.

With a big nametag, a package full of available listings, and a personality full of smiles and charm, she started making the sell as soon as Green shook her hand. “Welcome, Mr. Green,” she said. “I wanted to introduce myself and let you know I’m available when you and your family are ready to begin searching for a new home in Greensboro.”

Green smiled, thanked her, and moved on to the hallway leading to his office where Photojournalist Jamison Forst was going to shoot cover video of Green and me together to support the “Newsmakers” interview we had finished moments earlier. But that task took a little longer than I had expected because of all the people walking up to Green and introducing themselves.

After several of these encounters, I mentioned to him, “You’re now a celebrity, you know.” “That’s too bad,” he replied without skipping a beat. “Because the real celebrities don’t arrive until August 26th.”  I liked that. In fact, of all the issues we discussed none stands out quite like that one. He was, of course, referring to the 72-thousand plus Guilford County students who’ll start their new academic year this week.

Green is a non-traditional hire. That, in and of itself, makes his getting this job controversial. He’s never taught in a public school classroom. He’s never been a public school principal. He doesn’t have a PhD in education. Green himself calls questions about his experience “fair” and “questions people should ask.”

He does have a law degree and has been the number-two administrator in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. And—to be honest--- I haven’t heard anything “negative” about him coming out of Charlotte since Guilford County announced his hiring.

It’s been interesting to read all the newspaper editorials offering Green advice and describing what could potentially be the keys to his success. I believe another important key will be how we (taxpayers, parents, students, and teachers) respond to him. We could go two ways: brush him off as an inexperienced lawyer-administrator-type, consistently complain the school board made a questionable/bad hire, and refuse to speak or even work with him.

Or we could give him a fair chance recognizing we all have the same goal: educating our children in a way that’s excellent and safe. As a local taxpayer and a parent of a child who attends a Guilford County school, I prefer the latter.

Among other things---let’s give Green some time to observe, ask questions, and implement. Let’s watch his hires closely. (He says his first hire will be a “Chief Academic Officer” with both teaching and educational administrative experience. He’s already calling this person his “partner.”)  Let’s see if his builds consensus or is “standoff-ish.” Let’s see if he’s open to everyone--- including the media. Let’s express our expectations and hold him accountable. I don’t think Green would want it any other way.

And more than anything, let’s never forget who the real “celebrities” are.

So Asheboro is no longer dry---and we’re not talking about the drinking water supply. (We may soon talk about it, however, if we don’t get more rain.) Voters by pretty much a 60-40 split across the board said “yes” to alcohol sales after one of the most bitter and hotly-contested referendums I’ve seen in my nearly 25 years reporting news in this market.

I have to admit I was surprised. I’ve covered defeated alcohol referendums before in Asheboro and Randolph County. I was beginning to believe that as Jesse Helms probably never would have lost another election had he decided not to retire from the U.S. Senate, Asheboro would never become “wet” when it comes to alcohol.

But yesterday’s vote wasn’t even close. What happened? It’s hard to tell. The anti-alcohol forces (led mostly by what appeared to be the conservative/evangelical churches) outspent their opponents by one estimate three to one. Perhaps---much like the Randleman Dam controversy—most of those in opposition have either passed on or have decided that alcohol sales were inevitable and didn’t put up as strong a fight.

The true test of Asheboro’s character, I believe, will not be living with alcohol sales. It will be promoting community unity after a bitter contest. Those on both sides will have to be careful with their comments and actions. Let me explain:

I didn’t think the alcohol supporters celebrating victory last night by popping open cans of beer, champagne and perhaps other beverages publicly and in front of the television cameras was wise. It’s one thing to celebrate. Just be careful of the messages you send. Openly drinking and celebrating like it’s New Year’s Eve after winning an alcohol referendum like this doesn’t promote healing.

At the same time, I was disappointed reading the quotes of the alcohol opposition leader in the Asheboro Courier-Tribune this morning. Dr. John Rogers of the First Baptist Church is quoted as saying now’s not the time to withdraw from the fight, and “this was the battle, but not the war.” He also, according to the Courier-Tribune, said it’s important that Christians sit on the new ABC board to control the issue. Again—regardless of Dr. Rogers’ intent---most will interpret that as divisive.

This doesn’t even seem like the same person the article also quotes as saying, “Let’s seek to work together in making Asheboro a place we are proud to call home.”

Asheboro is a great city with wonderful, hard-working, compassionate people. Let’s hope these people can promote healing, move on, and re-establish and/or support this feeling of pride.

I usually shy away from interviewing athletes or people involved in athletics. I just don’t consider it my area of expertise. After all, I never was a great athlete; I don’t report sports on a daily basis; and we already have a great group of sports experts down the hall from the newsroom.

But sometimes sports transcends into news. Such is the case with my most recent “Newsmaker” interview. Ron Wellman is Wake Forest University’s Athletic Director. Here you have the only person in the Piedmont-Triad who was deeply involved in two of our area’s major “news” stories over the last year: the sudden death of Wake Forest Basketball Coach Skip Prosser and the near departure of football coach Jim Grobe to the University of Arkansas.

Many have praised ---and deservedly so—Wellman’s calm and professional leadership as being a key to the university’s moving through those two “crisis” events while at the same time guiding his department into one of the most successful periods if not THE most successful period in Wake athletic history. It’s one of the reasons Wellman is the National College Athletic Director of the Year.

Several things struck me during the two hours or so I recently spent with him. First and foremost, he’s a nice guy. We had enjoyable conversations about non-athletic things—like raising daughters and mutual friends and acquaintances we have in the Winston-Salem area.

But his leadership style description made an everlasting impression. When I asked him to describe this philosophy, he said it’s relatively simple:

1)       Hire good people

2)       Support those individuals (let them do their jobs)

3)       Be cheerleaders for them

4)       Hold them accountable for the product they produce

He described the key to his success in two words: good coaches. You see Wellman considers hiring THE most important thing he does professionally.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to talk to him about his hiring strategies, but you get a feeling he puts a lot of time into it (He admits interviewing Dino Gaudio 8 hours!) and probably approaches it the way a good coach considers recruits—constantly looking for good talent and not making hiring decisions on a whim only when he needs to make a hire.

People skilled at hiring are underappreciated in our society because the people they usually hire get all the publicity. You get the feeling Wellman wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now I’m not saying Wellman’s perfect or that every single hire he’s made has been perfect. (I doubt he’d disagree.) But it certainly looks as if he’s found a formula that works and one more leaders (both in and outside of sports) should consider.  

Of all my encounters with Senator Jesse Helms over the years---two stand out.

One happened in 1984. Senator Helms was in the middle of his heated re-election bid fighting off a strong challenge from North Carolina's extremely popular governor, Jim Hunt.

It was one of the Senator's final news conferences in downtown Greensboro a day or two before the election. I asked the Senator, "Senator Helms, Governor Hunt says he's glad the campaign's about over. Do you agree?" "That's about the only thing the Governor and I agree on," the Senator replied. And the whole room erupted in laughter. That quote was then published in newspapers across the nation the next day--- pretty "heady" stuff for a young reporter just out of college.

The second, I believe, happened in 1990. Senator Helms was fighting a challenge from former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt. Again, it was a day or two before the election and the Senator's campaign plane had landed at one of the general aviation terminals at the Piedmont-Triad airport. It was his last across-the-state swing before the election.

WGHP had just purchased its new Sony "Betacam" cameras. David Weatherly (who now produces "Roy's Folks") was working with me that day. The camera he was carrying was among the first "entirely off the shoulder" cameras to hit the business. It replaced our heavy equipment package that included not only a camera but a heavy videotape deck the photographers  had to carry on their opposite shoulders.

Senator Helms suddenly grabbed David's camera, shook it, and said something to the effect of, "wow, these things certainly have gotten lighter."

These two encouters illustrate a characteristic of Senator Helms that not too many realized. He considered himself a journalist. He started out in newspapers and eventually became a TV news director and station vice-president (WRAL-TV in Raleigh). He knew how to write extremely well and knew how to use words perfectly to his advantage---in his writings, his interviews, his speeches, and his news conferences.

I believe this certainly was one of the major keys to him becoming one of the most if  not THE most effective politicians/politician in North Carolina history. Love or hate his positions, no one can deny he knew how to get his points across. He also was among the first politicians to truly "get" television-- be it his "negative" ads or his refusing to debate Harvey Gantt at one time---saying it would be a "dog and pony show." He knew how to create sound bites that would end up in just about every newscast.

We haven't seen quite the effectiveness or influence in a North Carolina politician since. I wonder if we ever will.

We'd love to read some of your memories/opinions about Senator Helms. Please comment in the box below.

I didn’t know Tim Russert. But I, like every other broadcast journalist, certainly knew who he was and respected him tremendously. Over the last few days as we’ve mourned his loss, I’ve tried to figure out what made him so good at what he did. Perhaps that’s too perplexing of a question because there are so many things people loved about him.

But maybe it has something to do with the fact he was so “human.” He was the guy with whom you’d love to share a meal or a beverage, someone from whom you could gain a lifetime of wisdom within just a short amount of time.

Although I never met Russert face-to-face, I did get to see him one time. It was before the November 2000 election. (It was just weeks before he became even more famous with his dry erase board and his writing “Florida, Florida, Florida.”) George Bush and Al Gore were about to debate at Wait Chapel on the Wake Forest Campus in Winston-Salem.

Russert was standing alone in the lobby area just behind the chapel’s balcony where all the major broadcast news organizations had set up their makeshift studios. He was just standing there looking a little lost, but you could tell he was very “approachable.” I regret I didn’t have the time to speak to him. I was about to field-anchor the 5pm news from the balcony, and we were having technical issues. I wish now that I had took the time—if only a few seconds.

I can’t praise Russert any better than so many of his colleagues already have. But I did come across a column I believe sums up Tim Russert about as good as any. It’s written by a friend and professional colleague of mine. Jill Geisler is a former reporter, anchor, and news director at WITI-TV in Milwaukee. She now teaches other journalists at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. Here is—in part—how she sums up Russert’s career:

“Tim Russert was a true mainstream media guy. The kind traditional journalists identify with. His work was based on research, not rhetoric. If he had biases, he kept 'em caged. He asked tough questions of everyone. He sought light, not just heat on his program. He was the engine that drove "Meet the Press" but he acted like everyman. There amid the glossiness of many TV types, Russert often looked like he'd just bounded up a flight of stairs to the studio, having paid more attention to doing his homework than his hair.” 

“Tim Russert demonstrated key aspects of leadership.”

“Perhaps we're feeling the shock and loss of Tim Russert's death so deeply because we took him for granted. He was so upbeat, reliable and real -- so devoid of an agenda other than reporting and making sense of the political process -- that no one thought of having a fan club for him. We just counted on him, above others, for the straight story.” 

“What greater reward -– or legacy -- can there be for a journalist?”

Tweetsie Railroad was my first theme park experience. I remember my mom and dad loading up the 1965 Impala for the four hour journey to Blowing Rock. Several years ago I took my own children to Tweetsie. Believe it or not, they seemed to enjoy it as much or more than the Disney Parks. (It was A LOT less expensive and not as crowded too!)

This is why I was happy to read in the Winston-Salem Journal this morning Watauga County Commissioners have agreed to help keep Tweetsie Railroad open. You see, the park’s railroad (which consists of a late 1800s-era steam locomotive that pulls passengers through the mountain foliage to experience an old-fashioned train robbery—among other things) runs through several pieces of property the park leases.

Apparently the ownership of one of those pieces of property expressed an interest to end its relationship with Tweetsie, sell the property, and make a whole lot of money. (That just goes to show you the current land value in North Carolina’s High Country.) Tweetsie couldn’t compete with that. The park’s president, Chris Robbins, (His family’s owned the place since it opened in 1957!) had said this and other unresolved land issues threatened to close the park.

Then last night, Watauga County Commissioners stepped up to the plate. They agreed to spend more than 3-million dollars to buy the land in question with plans to sell it back to Tweetsie eventually plus interest and other expenses. The deal also calls for the county’s tourism authority to spend more than 1-million dollars to market the park and other area attractions.

I was also pleased to read the management of Grandfather Mountain (which certainly competes with Tweetsie for visitors) spoke up in favor of Tweetsie at the meeting saying that when people drive up from Florida they need more than one place to visit or they’re not going to come. Talk about cooperation. Some of those in the Piedmont-Triad who resist “regionalism” can learn something from this.

This is certainly good news for Tweetsie which has faced some tough challenges in recent months. (The park’s museum burned recently.) Yes, this park is what many would call “campy.” But the eyes of so many children (and adults!) —despite the Disney-fication of our world—will still light up as they  experience the thrill of a real steam locomotive, see an old-west show, speak to cowboys, pan for gold, and enjoy a show in the old dance hall---just as I did in the mid-1960s and just as my children do today.

I’m just glad Tweetsie ended the old parking lot practice of sticking “Tweetsie Railroad” bumper stickers on your car while you’re inside enjoying the park. My dad and I had a lot of trouble peeling one off the Impala.

My thoughts on some of the major races/referendums after the May 6th North Carolina Primary:

PRESIDENT/DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama winning wasn’t as much of a surprise as the size of his victory. I really thought Hillary Clinton would put up a bigger challenge. The polls reflected that late in the campaign. The governor endorsed her. She, her husband, and daughter made countless stops in North Carolina—especially in the eastern and western parts of the state. Her crowds were strong and enthusiastic. Obviously Barack Obama had the money and the resources to produce a stronger “connection” with the voters (especially African Americans, the wealthy, and the young people). The Reverend Wright and Hillary’s gas tax proposal didn’t appear to hurt or help the candidates respectively.

NC GOVERNOR/DEMOCRATS

No surprise here. Richard Moore’s campaign appeared to crumble right before our eyes over the last week. Bev Perdue looking voters right in the eyes in her campaign ads and telling them she was going “positive” worked. So did Andy Griffith. Moore’s radio and television ads that many described as “race-baiting” failed miserably. I personally think it’s sad two members of the same party and the governor’s council of state had to go this “negative” in the first place.

NC GOVERNOR/REPUBLICANS

This was a nice victory for Guilford County’s own Pat McCrory. Everyone thought this would be really tight last night. It wasn’t. McCrory had the resources to produce and air more television ads than State Senator Fred Smith, and it worked. (I just wish McCrory would have looked the voters in the eyes instead of staring off to the side.) McCrory will have his hands full with Bev Perdue who, I must say, looked very “gubernatorial” last night.

US SENATE/DEMOCRATS

Kay Hagan reached out on television. Jim Neal didn’t. That was the difference. Everyone agrees Hagan will have a much tougher job with Elizabeth Dole who (according to the last poll I saw) has at least a 7 point lead. I doubt we’ll see Dole agree to debate Hagan. So, expect a heavy barrage of TV ads. Dole will go after Hagan’s inexperience. Hagan will go after Dole being seemingly “out of touch” with North Carolina voters. A key for Hagan will be emotionally connecting on television—looking them in the eyes and saying, “I’m Kay Hagan. This is who I am and what I stand for.” That worked for John Edwards when he went up against Lauch Faircloth in 1998. It could work for her.

GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL BONDS

This was the way to run an effective campaign for this large a bond package: be open, answer questions, refute criticism, show the need, do television, do internet, hold meetings, appear organized. The opponents lost (in my opinion) because none offered up true solutions to the problems (crowded facilities where students are eating lunch on the hallway floors, more than 1000 new students entering the school system every year…among others). I heard a lot of whining and moaning about higher taxes, a fiscally- inept school board, and minority contractors. None of that criticism was “solution oriented” in the traditional sense. It's one thing to say, "this school board doesn't know how to spend money." It's another to say, "this school board doesn't know how to spend money, but here's how we solve our overcrowding problem...."

GUILFORD COUNTY JAIL BONDS

Convincing voters to spend money on space to house inmates is tough. But I think Guilford County voters finally “got it” that if they didn’t build the new jail this way, the state and/or federal governments would force them to. This package also rolled the tide of what appears to be an increasing crime rate locally. The “our house or your house” campaign line worked.

Now---on to November.

What an honor it was for me and the rest of the Fox 8 Family to be a part of what I believe is certainly one of the largest charitable events in the Piedmont-Triad: The Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure in Winston-Salem this past weekend.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect nor could have the turnout. I haven't seen any hard numbers yet , but I heard more than 10,000 people had registered by the start of the race. What a wonderful tangible illustration of this area's compassion and willingness to do what it takes to wipe out this deadly disease.

Thank you, too, to all of you who walked up and spoke to us Saturday morning. It's always great to have that one-on-one contact with so many of our viewers. And believe me, there are a LOT of them!

Please take a moment to check out some of the pictures of the event I've posted in the "My Photos" section. Pay special attention to those in the pink t-shirts (cancer survivors--many of whom actually took part in the race.) These are courtesy of photographer Ray Reynolds. (Thanks Ray!) There's also a REALLY nice section here on the website devoted to the Race for the Cure (including video and an extensive photo slide show). Just click on the "about us" tab above!

Here's looking forward to next year!

This week marks an end of an era for me and the rest of the FOX 8 family. Friday (April 18th) will be Rich Brenner’s last day on the air at WGHP-TV FOX 8. Rich is retiring after 30+ years in broadcasting.

It seems as if it was just yesterday when Rich joined this family in 1986. I was co-anchoring the station’s weekend newscasts and fondly remember those days I’d fill-in for Fred Blackman and sit beside Rich during the 6:00pm and 11:00pm weeknight newscasts--and occasionally on the weekends.

But my link to Rich goes back more than 10 years earlier. You see, I grew up in southeastern North Carolina and --as a child-- watched Rich (along with Charlie Gaddy, Bobbie Batista, and Bob DeBardelaben) deliver the nightly sports report on WRAL-TV in Raleigh. That news team and that television station were major influences in my decision to make broadcast journalism my career choice.

There are three words I believe accurately describe Rich: brilliant, passionate, and compassionate. Let me explain---

I’ve often said Rich Brenner has one of the most “brilliant” minds I’ve ever known. His memory and his ability to process difficult concepts are impeccable. He can name the teams, the scores, and the significant plays of just about every major sporting event over the last 50 years.

In writing news stories over the years, I’ve dialed Rich’s extension every time I couldn’t remember a NASCAR driver’s name or which team won the Super Bowl 13 years ago. He’d always recall that information immediately—in addition to the car owner and winning quarterback. (For some reason, he can also remember the lyrics of Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” complete with the correct rhythm and word emphasis. Ask him to do this for you if you want a good laugh!)

The second word that best describes Rich Brenner is “passionate.” There aren’t many who work harder than Rich. Rich has little patience with co-workers and others who don’t follow his example of giving 150%. Sometimes I’ve lived up to Rich’s standards. Other times I haven’t.

But, then again, I’ve sometimes felt (and I’m sure Rich wouldn’t disagree) that passion’s gotten the best of him. Because Rich sets such high standards for himself and others, it’s difficult for him to “ease off” or “de-stress.” Many times when Rich has seemed easily-frustrated or impatient, I’ve told him, “let it go Rich, it’s not your job to worry about that.”---or----“Rich, you don’t have any control over that.” For Rich, taking that advice was easier said than done.

This full-throttle/do what it takes to get the story/take no prisoners approach has undoubtedly contributed to Rich’s heart problems in recent years—which have, more than anything, prompted his retirement. But it’s also why so many in his profession respect and admire him.

And finally, you can’t neglect Rich’s “compassion.” I remember Rich showing up at one of our Salvation Army Bell Ringings dressed as one of Santa’s helpers and parking his motorcycle so the children could see it up close. Rich—as many of you know--- also played Santa’s helper at the Sealy/Fox 8 Holiday Concerts for years. Children have a special place in Rich’s heart. He never turned down a DARE graduation speaking request or a chance to influence a young person’s life in a positive way.

I remember the year he showed up at my door at Christmas Eve in his Santa’s helper outfit to visit my oldest daughter when she was 3 years old. (She’s now 15.) Rich was also among the first WGHP colleagues in the receiving line at my father’s visitation last November. Not many have a bigger heart than Rich.

So Rich, as you enter this new phase of life—God’s speed. Take care of yourself. Enjoy your teaching and the students at Elon University. Take a few moments each day to “smell the roses.” Focus on everything that’s positive. Enjoy that beautiful grandchild and spending time with your family members who—I know---are yearning to see more of you at home after all these years.

I also hope everyone will watch the Fox 8 6:00 News EVERY day this week (April 14-18). We’re planning some special “Rich tributes” during those newscasts. It will all culminate on Friday (April 18th)---and you might see some Fox 8 family members you haven’t seen in a while!

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Not often does the Piedmont-Triad host four of the world's most famous people over the span of two days. But such is the case this week.

Senator Barack Obama is scheduled to hold a town meeting at Greenboro's War Memorial Auditorium tomorrow (March 26) afternoon. Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign, after first announcing she'd attend only an invitation-only event in Winston-Salem Thursday (March 27) evening, decided to go "all-public" with a town-hall meeting of her own at the Forsyth Tech Bolton Street Satellite Campus.

From a coverage standpoint, these visits are difficult for us. But probably not in the way you think. We've had some serious discussions in our newsroom and in our editorial meetings this week about ways to keep our coverage from appearing to favor one candidate over the other. (Needless to say in the beginning, it was a BIG concern with news Obama was planning a public event with media coverage and Clinton was planning an "exclusive" event in which media coverage was questionable.)

We're working hard to make sure our coverage is balanced not only in content but also in the way we promote coverage of these events (both on the air and the internet) and where we place these stories in newscasts. We're also working to put video and sound of all the major candidates in all the major races on our website.  I hope you'll notice this, and let us know what you think of the job we're doing.

Many often blast broadcast journalists for being "biased." I've been accused over the years of being both a far-left liberal and a far-right conservative. Many often criticize the FOX Network of leaning too far to the right and CNN for leaning in the opposite direction.

I can truthfully tell you our newsroom is a diverse group politically. We have staunch conservatives. We have far-left liberals. We have people who ride the fence. Needless to say, the conversations get interesting sometimes. And to say each of us in our newsroom is not "biased" is untrue. We just work really hard to keep those biases from showing up on the air.

What's also interesting about tomorrow is the visits most probably will remember will be George Clooney's and Renee Zellweger's to promote their new movie "Leatherheads." Yes, we'll cover that story as well---as fair and balanced as we possibly can! Riiight!