Been channel-surfing past your favorite public access TV station and wondered why you haven't been seeing the gripping drama of the governor's press conferences? That might be an indication that you need new hobbies. Nonetheless, I know there are people out there who tune into these events, and yes, it's true that they haven't been on the air since July.
Why? Because gubernatorial spokesman Jason Gibbs is still trying to find someone to tape them.
The state puts the work out to bid. It's a process that preceded the Douglas years. The most recent contractor, Mad River Community Television, was paid $300 per event for taping, producing and distributing the tapes to various public access outlets and for the governor's Web site. The group didn't want to do it anymore when the contract ended in July, Gibbs said.
The first round of bids yielded people seeking twice the pay, he said, so he nixed them. Gibbs said there were a few bidders whose applications were tossed by the Purchasing Department because they didn't follow the directions.
Gibbs sought a new round of bidders and is awaiting the results. If those don't work out, Gibbs may be stuck behind the camera himself, he said. Would be quite the sight to have the cameraman pop his head out to tell the governor it's getting time to wrap up. Gibbs said he's hoping one of those bidders who didn't follow the directions the first time will get it right this time.
From my seat at the table I sometimes forget that the entirety of the press conference is being taped, but I've sensed more than once that Gov. Jim Douglas doesn't forget it. He'll be answering a question with the exact same wording he used the day before, emphasizing some point that seems passe and you look up and see that he's speaking directly to the camera. And you realize he's no longer talking to whoever asked the question but instead to the folks who were channel-surfing at home. Doesn't happen all the time, but every now and then.
- Terri Hallenbeck
