John Pape
It was refreshing to see Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson sit down with FortBendNow reporter Jamie Mock recently and honestly and openly talk about Ms. Mock’s recent series over how the city was handling media and public information about crime in the city.
To his credit, Mayor Thompson fielded all of Ms. Mock’s questions and candidly addressed the issue in a civil, reasonable and professional manner.
While the mayor would not concede the city was intentionally misleading the public and the media about crime in Sugar Land, he did express concern over the nature and tone of some of the e-mails from city staffers. He also conceded he was unaware of any inaccuracies in the stories, and that FortBendNow had always treated the city fairly.
It’s a shame some other city officials could not have been as forthright. Instead, the city’s official response as voiced by Assistant City Manager Steve Griffith initially claimed Mock was “biased” against the city and later insisted the stories were “inaccurate.”
At least that was what Griffith was telling other media representatives, including a television news crew. When Mock asked to interview him about the series, he initially agreed to the interview but then changed course, saying he instead would send a statement that “might answer” some of Mock’s questions. That statement ended up being a brief, vague denial that ended with a sentence saying he would have nothing further to say.
In a follow-up e-mail, Mock asked if Griffith would at least list the inaccuracies he said existed in the stories. Griffith did not respond to that request.
Mock had a similar experience when she asked to interview City Councilman Russell Jones. It was a series of e-mails from Jones to city staff claiming crime reporting was putting the city in a negative light that apparently triggered the changes in how the city disseminates public information on crime.
Jones e-mailed Mock with a date and time to be at his office for the interview. Mock immediately replied that she could not be there at the time he unilaterally set, but would be glad to work out a mutually-agreeable time and date. She also agreed to do a phone interview at the time Jones set.
The next message she received from the councilman was after the time of his unilaterally-set appointment time, informing Mock in an incredibly condescending manner what he “would have told her” if she had been at the appointment he already knew Mock could not attend.
Jones also copied the e-mailed message to a large number of Sugar Land officials, clearly trying to use it as a means of defending his role in the controversy. Instead, he simply came off looking immature and self-indulgent.
Mock also wanted to speak with City Manager Alan Bogard, Communications Director Pat Policoff and Assistant Communications Director Doug Adolph, but was told by Adolph that Griffith was the only person who would speak on behalf of the city.
Incredibly, even as Mock’s requests for interviews were being brushed off, Sugar Land officials were openly telling others that FortBendNow was treating them unfairly because we would not report their side of the issue.
Quite frankly, Sugar Land residents deserve better from these city officials and staffers.
Each of these individuals – either by seeking senior positions within the city or by running for public office – actively sought a leadership position in the city. Unfortunately, when it was time for them to show leadership, they instead provided vague written statements, issued general denial e-mails or simply hid out altogether.
Only Mayor James Thompson showed leadership and courage by sitting down with our reporter and openly and directly answering questions.
Sugar Land is an outstanding, dynamic city – arguably a model city. It deserves strong, ethical leadership at the top.
Clearly the city has that leadership in Mayor Thompson.
Others in the city, however, still have a long way to go.
I don’t think KHOU would have picked it up in its investigative series if they hadn’t thought it was a good story. I think you all did a great job with these reports.
“Each of these individuals – either by seeking senior positions within the city or by running for public office – actively sought a leadership position in the city. Unfortunately, when it was time for them to show leadership, they instead provided vague written statements, issued general denial e-mails or simply hid out altogether.”
Seems like a very fair and accurate description of events. I would have liked to have seen Thompson go one step further and condemn those city officials you mentioned Mr. Pape. Those that take the oath of office should be held to them. I believe your defense of FBN and Ms. Mock is well warranted given the local machine influences.