Reported in today's Tulsa World - Center of Fury: One man's alleged actions set off uproar in city staff
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectID=&articleID=20090201_11_A1_Albert80380&allcom=1#commentformWhat a fluff story. This must be why the World won their shiny new award, for creating drivel like this. This is merely a "make em look good" story so the public backs off of their criticisms. They were friends, they were family, they dicussed The Purpose Driven Life, it was like Miracle on 34th Street - come on! I think the TW won for its ability to spin.
I'm now more uneasy and questionable of what Zachary and Hardt knew since they were all such close friends - funny how no other "friends" of Martinez or Baker were interviewed. Makes it smell all the more like a setup feel good story trying to make a shining example of Hardt and Zachary to the public.
Where is the balance in this reporting? Where is the statement that the TW contacted Martinez and he confirmed that he actually said these things to Zachary (putting his turning state's evidence deal in jeopardy by doing so mind you)?
Where has the story been on the public reaction to this scandal and the deepening mistrust and criticism of the PWD by the public? The TV stations have managed to get that out there. There is no balance with the TW. This story is completely one sided and in favor of holding Zachary, Hardt and the Mayor in the best public light on this issue. Again this story confirms the Mayor did not have substantial knowledge or conversations with the Feds before the indictments were released as the TW had suggested clearly in a past article.
"The mayor indicated she was aware of the indictments before they were unsealed, having had significant discussions with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, but was unable to talk publicly about them until now." Tulsa World - Taylor: 'Zero Tolerance of Corruption' 01/22/09
Management must be the first to be held accountable for this mess - those two (Hardt and Zachary) should go and go now.