 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
August 2009
More KVUE Blogs
|
« The Member's Lounge Project: Who's In Charge Here? |
Main
| One Government's Trash, Another Man's Treasure »
An interesting (but sadly, photo-less) backstory about our day in trying to document the construction going on inside the House Members Lounge. To review, the renovation is paid for by state taxpayer dollars, and includes new brass chandeliers, granite countertops and all kinds of cool appliances. It's said to be a joint project between the House and State Preservation Board, but neither entity is taking credit (or blame). AP's Jay Root broke the story yesterday, using TPIA requests that showed both the work order, price tags and communication about the project. In doing the television version of the story, we had some additional considerations. How were we going to show viewers the renovations, and the lounge itself, if it's indeed ultra-private and for members only? The first option was to get what video we could of construction. In the back hallway behind the House floor, construction workers walked in and out and some carts with paint, caulk and tools were sitting around. So there was that. Workers seemed to be doing some prep work in the Speaker's apartment area, but signs posted on the inside of the doors said explicity to "Keep Doors Closed, Thank You." The Member's Lounge was locked from the inside. A sign hung on the door that said "closed for repairs" and we could hear and record the sound of drilling or sawing, but not get much else. A speaker's office employee paced up and down the hallway the entire time we were there. I'm not sure if we were being watched, or she just walked up and down the hallway a lot. It did make us feel like we were unwanted visitors in our own "house". We left, fairly satisfied that we got as much video we could get. Later in the afternoon, I got a word that the two brass chandeliers (worth $29,000) were going to go up, so our photographer, Robert, headed back to the back hall. That's when he encountered the Speaker's press secretary, Alexis Delee. Delee asked him to leave, citing security reasons. Robert said he wanted to speak with security directly, and instead of security, Delee sent Terry Keel and Ron Wilson! Robert says Wilson came down the hallway wearing a big black shirt and sunglasses, even though they were indoors. But Keel (who is now House Parliamentarian) did the talking. He let Robert in to the lounge, to shoot what he wanted. We were thrilled to get what we could get, but would have loved anyone from the Speaker's office to go on camera. We were denied. So in the 6pm story you are about to see, you'll see video of the construction going on in the lounge, made possible by Terry Keel and photog Robert, who challenged Delee on security and got Keel and Wilson instead. 8 CommentsLeave a comment |
|
|
There's too much politics in Texas to fit into a newscast, so the fun continues here.
Categories
Powered by Movable Type 4.1 |
|
These are the reasons that most politicians get into public office...So they can live off the tax paying public. What a shame that things like this go unpunished. The speaker should be asked to turn on the news so she can see how bad the economy is these days...
How much did those LCD screens cost? You said 2200 but the graphic said $22,000!
Calculator -- Good Question. That was a graphic mistake, which has been corrected for any future airings/airings in Dallas or Houston. The pricetag on the TVs was 2,200 for two of them, which is pretty much market value.
I resent the inference that I was acting as security for the Texas House Members Lounge. I think it was racist for you to describe my appearance in the manner in which you did.
"Robert says Wilson came down the hallway wearing a big black shirt and sunglasses, even though they were indoors." There were at least 15 other people moving around and you chose not to describe any of them.
The simple facts of the matter are:
1) Your reporter requested access and it was granted and
2) He wanted someone to go on camera and he was directed to the proper spokes person and apparently chose not to follow through.
Finally, I am a private citizen. I am not on the state's payroll. It just so happened that I was visiting the Capital that day which like all other citizens in this country is my right.
See (President-Elect Barack Obama's last address to the nation)
ron wilson
Ken Rudin and NPR called and they want their "Political Junkie"" name back since they had it first.
Congratulation Elise, you know you've become an official blogger when Ron Wilson calls you a racist. It's the man's default insult when someone shines light on him.
Well, if a common everyday citizen like Ron Wilson can get access to the lounge, why can't the media and me?
And if Ron wasnt acting like security, then what the hell was he doing? Was he acting like a door greeter?
Hey Ron!
How DARE you invoke Obama's name! If he had witnessed what you did last session running cover for Craddick, he would have been embarrassed!
You disgraced our government.