Editor's Note: This story was updated to include a response from Charlotte Observer Editorial Page Editor Taylor Batten.
***
Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones has had his share of unfavorable press. But overall, he says, reporters have covered him fairly.

No so much, he said, when it comes to The Charlotte Observer’s editorial board.

Speaking Thursday at the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists’ kick off to their "The Heat Is On: Summer Talk Series," Jones said he has seen a disconnect between what was covered in the news and what ended up in the editorial section of the newspaper.

“They have taken some shots that I don’t think tell the full story,” he said of the Observer, which is an online news partner with Qcitymetro.com.

In a Feb. 17 editorial under the headline “Put an end to Harry Jones’ many missteps” the Observer said it was time for Jones to go. The county manager had found himself on the hot seat concerning a $60,000 settlement he struck with former mental health director Grayce Crockett.

County Commissioners said Jones erred in authorizing the payment and by letting the public believe things that weren't true about that arrangement. Jones apologized.

When called for comment, Observer Editorial Page Editor Taylor Batten said:

"We understand it can be hard to take criticism. But we want what's best for this county and, like many Mecklenburg residents, had seen too many questionable actions by Mr. Jones. Our editorial spelled out his missteps in a very factual way, and I encourage folks to read it again. The editorial board would be happy to talk with Mr. Jones again and hear what specifically he thinks was unfair."

In a candid discussion, Jones spoke with about a dozen media professionals at the Dilworth Neighborhood Grille. The audience included reporters, photographers and public relations specialists. He agreed after the event for Qcitymetro.com to publish some of his remarks.

Jones talked about issues facing the county and shared his views on media coverage.

Jones said he watches very little television and subscribes only to the Wall Street Journal.

He said he has no real criticisms of the way county government is covered, and he praised the media for its coverage of recent budget negotiations, which he said was probably the most important budget of his career because it has “the most powerful results for the future.”

Jones said taking actions such as creating a debt-service fund would force the county to live within its means. Unmanaged debt, he said, was “one of the key factors that kind of got us into the financial malaise that we’re in relative to the budget cuts.”

The CAABJ is an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, a nonprofit organization focused on establishing strong ties among African Americans working in the media and expanding and balancing the media's coverage of the African American community and experience.

The summer talk series hosted by CAABJ features candid discussions with prominent community leaders and newsmakers. Future guests include Mayor Anthony Foxx and Police Chief Rodney Monroe.

For more information about CAABJ, visit the group’s website at www. caabj.com.

Got news to share with Qcity readers? Email us at editor@qcitymetro.com.
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter below

Sign up for our Weekly Email Newsletter Email: For Email Marketing you can trust

Other Ways to Share Twitter Del.icio.us MySpace

Discussions and Submission Agreement