The Joplin Globe put two of its veteran reporters, Susan Redden and Andy Ostmeyer, on the story of the DWI arrest of Jasper County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Surface.
The article not only explores the arrest with comments from Surface, but also puts the question to his challengers, Carthage attorney Jim Spradling and businessman John Bartosh about whether they have drunk driving incidents in their past. (Spradling said he did not, while Bartosh said he had one several years ago when he was going through a divorce.)
What purpose did the questions to Bartosh and Spradling serve? Neither of them was stopped for drunk driving; Surface was. It appears the Globe is scrambling to catch up to its competition, the Joplin Daily, which had this story first and, so far, has done a better job with it.
The story had value. Bartosh admitted to a past DUI. So voters considering switching their vote because of this incident may think again. My ballot is staying with Surface because he was honest about this.
ReplyDeleteBut did the Globe really need to suggest this was a conspiracy by the sheriff? No one was saying that besides the reporters.
All one needs to do is look at a map of where the Elks club is and where Chuck lives. It's about 7 blocks.
ReplyDeleteSure Jasper County can patrol anywhere in the county, including Joplin. But, what need is it for them to be in a town that has a fully staffed police department, particuarly in such a low crime area?
It is not a coincidence that there was a deputy in that area. I have no doubt they were waiting for this opportunity for quite some time...
I am not sure who should be more ashamed, Archie or the deputy who went along with the game. There is no reason why he should have been drinking and driving, but the sliminess of the sheriff's department is more bothering.
All the media outlets need to get on this.
This is liable to backfire on archie. It is no secret that Surface visits the Elks club. It appears that the county had been surveilling Surface for the right opportunity. The county has no business in the city, the joplin police are quite capable of enforcing the law.
ReplyDeleteSurface getting the vip treatment also stinks. He should have been booked,jailed and bonded out like and other person stupid enough to drink and drive.
This story has legs and there is
more to come, stay tuned.
IT'S CLASSIFIED AS "DWI" IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI, NOT "DUI." IS THERE NOT ONE REPORTER OR EDITOR AT EITHER PAPER THAT KNOWS THIS?
ReplyDeleteThank God someone brought attention to that fact error. Props go out to KSN and KODE for reporting it as a DWI and getting Surface On-Camera. It's sad when KOAM and FOX have to quote what another media outlet is reporting.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he was booked, but not every county makes a person bail out... As it is sometimes the arresting officers choice. I've had three DWI's and the officers let me walk without bail all three times.
ReplyDeleteWish they would have done the same for me. I didn't have bond money so I had to spend the night (and all next day) in jail. Missed work and couldn't call in so had to explain. Talk about a little embarressing.
ReplyDeleteWhat if you had killed some kid while you were out driving around bombed? That would have been more than a little embarrassing, would it not?
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against those who drink, but three DWIs? That's nothing short of persistent criminal behaviour. Learn to stay home, or get thee to an AA meeting.
The sinister approach to if the deputy was waiting on Surface is not the issue. SO WHAT if he was. Surface committed a traffic violation and was DWI. So many are trying to futher the agenda to targeting Dunn that they try to use the balloon trick. Dont look at my drunk commish....Look at the evil deputy who did his job... As for JPD being fully staffed hahahahaahhaahahahah
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