Friday, December 10, 2010

Reno | Publisher Power recounts his Friday DUI arrest: 'I didn't get the message of our own stories'

In a nicely written apology to readers today, Reno Gazette-Journal Publisher Ted Power recalls his own arrest last week on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Power notes the paper published a series over the past year on lax enforcement of DUI laws:

The series of stories that reporter Martha Bellisle, local news editor Kelly Scott and many others helped produce was award-winning, resulted in changes in how our courts and prosecutors handle DUI cases and has sparked proposals in the coming legislative session.

But for all the stories we told, for all the mug shots we put on RGJ.com, I never felt it might happen to me. I didn't get the message of our own stories.

Today, I get it. Trust me. It can happen to anyone who takes a drink and then drives.

Earlier: Why publisher's DUI arrest is sadly ironic

19 comments:

  1. Like Ted or not, it took guts to write this and share his personal story, especially the remarks from his daughter. Cynics can say what they want. I know Ted and this was as honest as it gets.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree, 2:27 p.m.

    ReplyDelete
  3. No sympathy. Rich fat-cat publisher in a company sedan and tux tooling around town drunk.

    When I was with gannett, I would have been fired on the spot if I were caught drunk in a company vehicle - or even in my own car!

    He was an extremely well-paid publisher and with that huge salary comes "public figure" status and the understanding that he should be above reproach.

    No sympathy at all.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It not only took courage, it took leadership. Those of us who know Ted respect him for owning his own mistakes while honoring those around him.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yea really. What's the point kicking a man while he is down. Someone once said, "he without sin, cast the first stone!" I am not religious, but good words.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ethically, Power has handled his problem in a very conscientious manner. He should be held in high regard for that. However, should he be fired? Almost certainly. He is a publisher of a watchdog company and he is considered a leader in the community. How old is he? This is not his first time at a social function or drinking and driving. He made the decision to drink and drive in the community he serves with information of high standards.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The first ethics I've seen from him. I applaud it. But professionally? His outreach at work (i.e., none?) -- I had no idea there was actually a human being, with an 11-year-old daughter, under that sweater.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I haven't been a fan of Power's work in Reno. Granted he nabbed the job in tough times.

    But ... you have to give him credit for this. He handled the situation well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Heh 4:13 ska heartless prick. It wasn't a company car and you nor anyone else would be fired for a first time non injury DUI unless you were a professional driver and you lost your drivers license as a result. Power has handled this well. Power to him! Pun intended.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I also don't think it was a company car.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I know it wasn't a company car. He bought it after his arrival.

    ReplyDelete
  12. "rich fat cat publisher .... In a tuxedo" damn what are you the head of the Communist Party? If wearing a tuxedo is a sign of wealth you need to take a look at tuxedos at the Mens Wearhouse. ThY's all you got, he drove around town in his own car in a tuxedo so he is a fat cat. You and your pals would be surprised at howucj publishers at mid sized sites don't make. Dude you need to grow up. Yes he probably makes six figures but he beads a multi million dollar company. What do feel a fair salary is "comrade?"

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ted Power doesn't head anything. Gannett grunts, he jumps. But that's gotta be a sucky job that even tuxedos and six figures don't assuage. No wonder he might have had one too many one night! I don't think he's particularly proud of his job let alone his mistake. Second, for the last time, it was not a company vehicle.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Clarification from 4:15 again: "Ted Power doesn't head anything." Yes, of course, I realize Ted Power has all kinds of titles. But they're titles, a short leash -- and it has a choke chain on the other end probably about to to yanked. The only thing Ted heads is whatever figures Gannett wants to see from him and any other "publisher."

    ReplyDelete
  15. The DUI was unfortunate, but let's not shed too many tears over the fact that he's a corporate lapdog. He's in the position by choice, as are all of us who continue to work for the company. It's not pretty, but any of us could leave.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Following is an edited version of a comment posted at 4:06 p.m.:

    4:49 PM - It not only took courage, it took leadership. Those of us who know Ted respect him for owning his own mistakes while honoring those around him.

    You realize, [XXXXX], you don't get suck-up points when it's an anonymous post. And if that isn't you, [XXXXX], it's [XXXXX]. Puh-leez.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jesus, Jim, you're awfully precious about this blog. Why are you protecting the editor and h.r. director? Would they not, within the little world of this corporation, be considered some form of 'public figure' and open to criticism? The editor at least should be. The editor is the publisher's lapdog and is likely the one posting these fawning comments. Is that over the line? We'll see.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Go on Google and try to find Ted's apology. Go on the RGJ site and search for Ted Power and DUI, or any combination that would bring up the apology. You can't find it anywhere online. You can find the original brief on his arrest, but the only place I could get to the apology is through this blog. Interesting.

    ReplyDelete

Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.