Phil Young's hiring as Akron's new Police Auditor is a big deal but it's not really a big announcement. I blogged about it nearly three months ago as did others around town, but only now is Young finally introduced to the public.
Insiders at the cop shop and city hall both tell me the hiring was delayed until the Vinson investigation had been put in the rear view mirror. While Sherri Bevan Walsh's official ruling still hasn't been finalized, the city's independent review upheld the initial investigation that the black teen killed himself and that the white officers who opened fire were justified.
Still, some are asking why Young didn't start his job anyway when his hiring was leaked in July? Why not let the guy get going and just say that he's only working on new complaints and won't come in to the Vinson case in the middle? You can find out more about Young's specific duties by reading the city's release.
I was in Southern Ohio yesterday on an upcoming feature story so I wasn't able to hear Mayor Plusquellic or Young talk about the hiring although I intend to watch a tape of their press conference when I return to the office.
As I've already shared, Young has a solid reputation and I'm told he has great communications skills. He's about as good as it gets for filling a controversial role. Still, his first test of being thrown into the fire probably isn't far away ... just call it the law of averages. Phil Trexler captured a key component to Wednesday's announcement -- that no police officers attended the press conference.
By the way, take note that the press conference to announce Young's hiring was held on a day off for the Tribe/Red Sox series. Granted, the Mayor typically holds his weekly press conference on Wednesday, but had there been a game set for Wednesday night, many believe the announcement would have been held for another day to ensure media coverage and room on the next day's front page. It was still our lead story on the Akron-Canton News yesterday, in part because we weren't going to lead with the Tribe on an off day. I could be wrong about this one, but I'm not the only one covering news downtown who believes it.
While it's the message and not the messenger that truly matters, don't for a second think the media doesn't play a part in the timing of news events.
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4 comments:
You're wrong.
Insider - wrong about what? That the Indians had an off-night? As long as you use the "insider" tag how about filling in the picture?
Must be Uncle Don.....
Eric said:, "...many believe the announcement would have been held for another day to ensure media coverage and room on the next day's front page. It was still our lead story on the Akron-Canton News yesterday, in part because we weren't going to lead with the Tribe on an off day. I could be wrong about this one..."
Eric was wrong about this one. Rare, but true.
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