McGinn's office to news outlets: Don't crowd the mayor
SEATTLE - The Seattle mayor's office sent an email to local television news outlets Friday asking them not to "crowd around" Mayor Mike McGinn at public events or to contact the mayor at 10 p.m. at home.
The email, from McGinn's assistant communications director Aaron Pickus, included a photo demonstrating how news teams should conduct themselves - by standing obediently several feet away from the mayor during question-and-answer sessions. (See screenshot from email below.)
The email was sent shortly after a group of reporters and photographers approached McGinn at a Friday morning event to ask him about his appointment of a bicycle club leader to fill a $95,000-per-year transportation policy post.
That impromptu question-and-answer session came the morning after a KOMO News reporter and photographer went to McGinn's house at 9:05 p.m. to see if he was available to talk about the surprise appointment.
The KOMO crew went to McGinn's house after multiple calls to the newly-appointed advisor were not returned, and in an attempt to get additional comment beyond what Pickus was able to provide.
McGinn was not home, but his wife and son were outside working on a car and the KOMO reporter left a business card and asked that the mayor get back to us. His wife said the mayor was expected home sometime before 10 p.m.
"Sending a camera and reporter to knock on the door of the mayor's home at 10 p.m. to talk about a personnel decision that is filling a vacant position within our existing budget is not necessary," Pickus' email said. "Nor is crowding around him at an event as he arrives."
"We want to talk to you, that's part of the job. That's why I'm available at all hours (excluding when I'm going on a jog)," the email continued. "We both have fun jobs and we live in a great city for news. And Seattle is full of very smart people. They deserve a strong press corps and an accessible mayor.
McGinn himself opened the Friday morning question-and-answer session with reporters by saying, "Whats' up, guys who showed up at my house at 10 p.m.? Guys, guys, please we don't' need a scrum here."
He then went on to answer questions about the appointment of David Hiller, the advocacy director for Cascade Bicycle Club, to a position in his office.
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This screenshot from an email sent to Seattle news outlets from the mayor's office illustrates the "proper" way to approach the mayor during a question-and-answer session.
This image was taken from video shot by a KOMO photographer during the mayor's question and answer session with reporters on Friday morning.
View a copy of the entire e-mail sent by Aaron Pickus >>>
The email, from McGinn's assistant communications director Aaron Pickus, included a photo demonstrating how news teams should conduct themselves - by standing obediently several feet away from the mayor during question-and-answer sessions. (See screenshot from email below.)
The email was sent shortly after a group of reporters and photographers approached McGinn at a Friday morning event to ask him about his appointment of a bicycle club leader to fill a $95,000-per-year transportation policy post.
That impromptu question-and-answer session came the morning after a KOMO News reporter and photographer went to McGinn's house at 9:05 p.m. to see if he was available to talk about the surprise appointment.
The KOMO crew went to McGinn's house after multiple calls to the newly-appointed advisor were not returned, and in an attempt to get additional comment beyond what Pickus was able to provide.
McGinn was not home, but his wife and son were outside working on a car and the KOMO reporter left a business card and asked that the mayor get back to us. His wife said the mayor was expected home sometime before 10 p.m.
"Sending a camera and reporter to knock on the door of the mayor's home at 10 p.m. to talk about a personnel decision that is filling a vacant position within our existing budget is not necessary," Pickus' email said. "Nor is crowding around him at an event as he arrives."
"We want to talk to you, that's part of the job. That's why I'm available at all hours (excluding when I'm going on a jog)," the email continued. "We both have fun jobs and we live in a great city for news. And Seattle is full of very smart people. They deserve a strong press corps and an accessible mayor.
McGinn himself opened the Friday morning question-and-answer session with reporters by saying, "Whats' up, guys who showed up at my house at 10 p.m.? Guys, guys, please we don't' need a scrum here."
He then went on to answer questions about the appointment of David Hiller, the advocacy director for Cascade Bicycle Club, to a position in his office.
---
This screenshot from an email sent to Seattle news outlets from the mayor's office illustrates the "proper" way to approach the mayor during a question-and-answer session.
This image was taken from video shot by a KOMO photographer during the mayor's question and answer session with reporters on Friday morning.
View a copy of the entire e-mail sent by Aaron Pickus >>>
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