Recently the Copper Gazette has come under fire for reporting what Michael McDaniel claims to be “spurious mis- information” regarding the Spellman recall effort.
In an effort to report true and factual information the Gazette utilizes direct quotes from parties involved and documented information from the County elections office. However, it is not uncommon that once a person sees in writing their verbal response to a question they have misgivings about their response.
On October 20, 2011 the Gazette asked McDaniel to clarify what, if any, was the state’s involvement in the recall process, with regards to a comment he had left on the Copper Gazette referring to “state experts (advising) our local officials.” McDaniel responded, “Madeline (County Clerk Recorder) checked with the state to clarify as how a recall should be done in relationship to a district undergoing boundary changes. If it fell under the new boundary lines we would be well on our way to an election recalling Spellman, as our numbers from this side of old district five are going Like gang busters. Copper area being harder because people feel they already got rid of him. Also bad reporting with unsupported facts like the cost of the election and changes in the recall effort without verifying facts just adds to it. But then again maybe that is your goal? Not sure at this point. Any time you report anything regarding me without verifying it with ME Your crossing a thin line.”
The Gazette asked for McDaniel to verify what he meant by ‘your crossing a thin line’. No response was received at the time of this writing.
According to McDaniel's reference to issues, the issue began when the Copper Gazette printed an article containing a statement from previous District 5 Supervisor Russ Thomas claiming that he was “taking the lead” for the recall effort. Both McDaniel and Thomas deny this claim. On October 7, 2011 in a telephone interview Russ Thomas stated he was taking the lead and was waiting for the paperwork. He also expressed disappointment at the lack of coverage in the Gazette for recall booths in Copper. At the time of Russ' call the Gazette was not aware of any such booth to date in Copper. On October 8, 2011 Thomas, educated in political campaign laws, paid cash for a space at the Parks and Recs Flea Market, an open air sale for household items, and set up a recall booth possibly putting the 501c3 in jeopardy. When the Copper Gazette pointed out the jeopardy Thomas may have put the organization in he did not respond. Mr Reid, a spokesperson for Parks and Rec was asked about the possible jeapardy, he stated, “We were unaware of the potential damages that could incur. We are very sorry if this offended anyone and it will never happen again at a CP& R function.” McDaniel signatory on the petition for recall and educated in campaign laws, declined to comment regarding knowledge of the booth.
