Managing the Media with Team Nickels

Adam got another thick sheaf of Public Disclosure Request docs on the encampments issue this Monday. A bored lawyer friend gave us some good advice on how to be more aggressive here and it seems to be paying off. I'll leave the news to the real reporters, but this email exchange made us laugh. Be sure to get down to the end.

Martin McOmber, City of Seattle Communications Director, 12/4/2007, 1:23 pm
Editorial writer Bruce Ramsey from the Times is going to write on the encampments issues. He is interested in taking the tour but need to check if he can hold the editorial for a day. I'm betting he can.

Can we arrange a tour for him tomorrow mid morning? I think he will understand the City's position on this and it's very important to get our point of view presented to him.

If he has to write for tomorrow, Patricia, can you walk him through our position?

Cheryl Fraser, Seattle Parks Operations Manager, 12/4/2007, 1:43 pm
Martin -- We can do the tour tomorrow however if it rains tonight we will need to reassess the Greenbelt conditions in the morning. Let's plan to meet at the Super Supplements Vitamins parking lot on Elliot Ave at 10 am. We are planning on using the same tour as last time.

Patricia -- are you available at 10 am?

Martin McOmber, 12/4/2007, 2:28 pm
Bruce is available for the tour at 10 am tomorrow. Per Cheryl's email, I told him to meet Cheryl and Patricia at the Super Supplements Vitamins parking lot tomorrow.

Cheryl, can you work out any remaining details with Patricia?

David Takami, Strategic Communications Adviser, Dept. of Human Services, 12/4/2007, 2:41 pm
Hi: Patricia can do it and will meet you at 10 am at Super Supplements.

Marty, does this mean he's holding off on the editorial (until after the tour)?

Dewey Potter, Comm. Director, Seattle Parks, 12/4/2007, 3:47 pm
Hi. I have a call from Adam Hyla at Real Change. Should we invite him along?

Martin McOmber, 12/4/2007, 5:11 pm
Absolutely not. If he wants to do a separate tour, we will consider.

Dewey Potter, 12/4/2007, 5:12 pm
OK thanks. I'm not calling him back.