It looks like the Friends of Diversity held their Oct. 5 press conference without having to pay to use the Raleigh Convention Center.
Raleigh City Manager Russell Allen told local conservative political activist Joey Stansbury that nothing was charged because the space "was available and would require no support or expense from the Convention Center operation."
The city owns the convention center, which hosted the press conference on the day before the school board election. Local dignitaries, including Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, attended the event to urge voters to support keeping Wake's socioeconomic diversity policy.
None of the speakers endorsed specific candidates. But it wasn't too hard to figure out who they were backing.
Below are e-mail messages that Stansbury provided to the N&O concerning his public records request on the Friends of Diversity using the convention center. (i've removed the e-mail addresses and phone numbers.)
From: Allen, Russell
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 12:53 PM
To: 'Joey Stansbury'
Subject: FW: confirming
Dear Mr. Stansbury,
This is the only email correspondence related to your public information request. The original call for availability of the public plaza area in front of the Convention Center came via phone call to our center director Roger Krupa and it came from the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. The space was available and would require no support or expense from the Convention Center operation, so there was no fee. As you can see in the email, it was subsequently moved to just inside the lobby, and again there was no conflict or cost to the Center.
Sincerely,
J Russell Allen
City Manager, Raleigh
From: Barclay Williams
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 11:19 AM
To: Roger Krupa
Subject: FW: confirming
From: Barclay Williams
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:34 AM
To: 'Ratledge, Brenda'
Subject: RE: confirming
OK
Barclay Williams | Assistant to the Director |
From: Ratledge, Brenda
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:34 AM
To: Barclay Williams
Subject: RE: confirming
According to Harvey it is inside the main lobby in front of the stairs.
From: Barclay Williams
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:26 AM
To: Ratledge, Brenda
Cc: 'Michelle Boyette'; 'Erin Corona'
Subject: RE: confirming
And again, this is inside the RCC? Staff notice that went out said it was outside. I do not think this will be a problem but again, just making sure.
Barclay Williams | Assistant to the Director |
From: Ratledge, Brenda
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:24 AM
To: Barclay Williams
Subject: RE: confirming
No sound. Media will have their own. Thanks for asking.
From: Barclay Williams
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:20 AM
To: Ratledge, Brenda
Subject: RE: confirming
a podium w/ sound I assume...?
Thanks
Barclay Williams | Assistant to the Director |
From: Ratledge, Brenda
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:20 AM
To: Barclay Williams
Subject: RE: confirming
Thanks for checking. This media conference has been called by Keith Sutton, newly appointed Board of Education member. It is not a Chamber event. The conference is set to begin at 10 a.m. and they will need a podium in front of the stiars in the main lobby. Thanks again, Barclay.
From: Barclay Williams
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 11:05 AM
To: Ratledge, Brenda
Subject: confirming
Brenda:
You are probably not the person I need to be checking with - but Roger is out of office today & yesterday. On his way out the door on Wed., he announced the Chamber's press announcement scheduled for Monday morning outside the RCC. I asked him if this event required any set/up / technical support from RCC staff and he stated that it did NOT.
I just want to make sure! Do you know any specifics on the event?
Thanks!
Barclay
Barclay Williams | Assistant to the Director |
Comments
Anne McLaurin Meeker
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 10:03 — MomknowsbestDoes anyone know if it's a conflict of interest for Anne McLaurin Meeker to be on the school board???
Is there a law that
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 11:04 — shank56Is there a law that prohibits spouses of elected officials from running for public office themselves ?
It's not against the law.
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 13:01 — KeungHui (author)It's not against the law. It's just rare that it happens. In the case of Meeker and McLaurin, their respective boards have conflicts of interest and code of ethics policies. I can't recall McLaurin ever recusing herself from a vote. Meeker apparently got guidance from the city attorney that he didn't have to recuse himself on school matters.
Who does the city attorney
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 14:50 — woodstockWho does the city attorney work for?
It seems unethical that Meeker was able use his influence as Mayor to so publically support status quo BoE candidates -- and his wife's interests -- via the Friends of Diversity shenanigans.
Let's all do it.
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 14:55 — woodstockI think we should all call to request the use of the Convention Center for free.
Birthday parties?
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 15:47 — SDR256Or, should we have our big celebration there? We don't need much. Just the outlets for the band.
Perhaps this would be a good
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 16:29 — CaryCurmudgeonPerhaps this would be a good location to host a Friends of Education celebration after John secures his seat.
Excellent idea!
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 17:08 — woodstockExcellent idea!
Opposing views / equal time?
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:35 — concerned2Not only have they allowed other groups before, but have they specifically allowed other groups with opposing views to use the premises for free?
They're always talking about the politically correct nebulous ideas of equal time - can they live up to their own standards?
Keung...
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 11:17 — midtownmomDo you know if there is a precedence for allowing groups to use the premises for free? If it can be shown that other groups have been given this privilege, then it may not be a political move, but if this is the only group allowed to use the facilities for free, then I smell a rat. The city should not use "our" money to support any particular view.
That's a question I don't
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 07:29 — KeungHui (author)Thats a question I don't know the answer to right now. They were using the lobby instead of a meeting room so that might make the difference.
Backdrop
Sun, 10/25/2009 - 12:59 — SDR256The lobby was a pretty fantabulous backdrop, so I would actually wonder if they should charge for it.
cool
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 09:53 — loriacI will keep that in mind next time my group needs a nice, free location for a press conference for a large gathering.
Don't get too excited
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 10:23 — TrailerParkGirlunless you plan on forming a group to hide social and educational failures to further business and real estate development in the center of Raleigh.