Editor’s note:This letter was sent to city staff by the interim city manager.
I write to clarify the city’s policy regarding talking to members of the press and to communicate my expectations on the topic. Basically, the City Council wants to be sure that the staff’s comments to the press are accurate and appropriate.
Toward the goal of accuracy, the policy is meant to facilitate the reporter finding the most knowledgeable staff member. There are hardly any instances where there may be ambiguity or disagreement over who is the most knowledgeable on a particular topic and, at least with respect to the two local papers, in most cases the reporters know who you are.
In other words, with respect to most matters of interest, one staff member is generally the obvious source of information and the reporters know who that staff member is.
When a reporter calls you, please follow this procedure: If you are not sure if you are the staff member who knows the most on a topic, ask me. If you know you are, answer the reporters’ questions when posed. There is no need to delay a response where there is no question that you are the staff member best qualified to respond.
Toward the goal of appropriateness, as always, staff’s comments should be confined to matters concerning staff’s own recommendations and administration of City Council policy. The latter would involve all work you do within your official capacity.
Please do not feel hamstrung; just exercise good judgment and be thoughtful in your response. Most of these reporters are on tight deadlines. Let’s get them the information they want and avoid “becoming the stories” ourselves.
Christi Hogin, Interim City Manager