Neill McNeill's Blog

I usually shy away from interviewing athletes or people involved in athletics. I just don’t consider it my area of expertise. After all, I never was a great athlete; I don’t report sports on a daily basis; and we already have a great group of sports experts down the hall from the newsroom.

But sometimes sports transcends into news. Such is the case with my most recent “Newsmaker” interview. Ron Wellman is Wake Forest University’s Athletic Director. Here you have the only person in the Piedmont-Triad who was deeply involved in two of our area’s major “news” stories over the last year: the sudden death of Wake Forest Basketball Coach Skip Prosser and the near departure of football coach Jim Grobe to the University of Arkansas.

Many have praised ---and deservedly so—Wellman’s calm and professional leadership as being a key to the university’s moving through those two “crisis” events while at the same time guiding his department into one of the most successful periods if not THE most successful period in Wake athletic history. It’s one of the reasons Wellman is the National College Athletic Director of the Year.

Several things struck me during the two hours or so I recently spent with him. First and foremost, he’s a nice guy. We had enjoyable conversations about non-athletic things—like raising daughters and mutual friends and acquaintances we have in the Winston-Salem area.

But his leadership style description made an everlasting impression. When I asked him to describe this philosophy, he said it’s relatively simple:

1)       Hire good people

2)       Support those individuals (let them do their jobs)

3)       Be cheerleaders for them

4)       Hold them accountable for the product they produce

He described the key to his success in two words: good coaches. You see Wellman considers hiring THE most important thing he does professionally.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to talk to him about his hiring strategies, but you get a feeling he puts a lot of time into it (He admits interviewing Dino Gaudio 8 hours!) and probably approaches it the way a good coach considers recruits—constantly looking for good talent and not making hiring decisions on a whim only when he needs to make a hire.

People skilled at hiring are underappreciated in our society because the people they usually hire get all the publicity. You get the feeling Wellman wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now I’m not saying Wellman’s perfect or that every single hire he’s made has been perfect. (I doubt he’d disagree.) But it certainly looks as if he’s found a formula that works and one more leaders (both in and outside of sports) should consider.  

Of all my encounters with Senator Jesse Helms over the years---two stand out.

One happened in 1984. Senator Helms was in the middle of his heated re-election bid fighting off a strong challenge from North Carolina's extremely popular governor, Jim Hunt.

It was one of the Senator's final news conferences in downtown Greensboro a day or two before the election. I asked the Senator, "Senator Helms, Governor Hunt says he's glad the campaign's about over. Do you agree?" "That's about the only thing the Governor and I agree on," the Senator replied. And the whole room erupted in laughter. That quote was then published in newspapers across the nation the next day--- pretty "heady" stuff for a young reporter just out of college.

The second, I believe, happened in 1990. Senator Helms was fighting a challenge from former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt. Again, it was a day or two before the election and the Senator's campaign plane had landed at one of the general aviation terminals at the Piedmont-Triad airport. It was his last across-the-state swing before the election.

WGHP had just purchased its new Sony "Betacam" cameras. David Weatherly (who now produces "Roy's Folks") was working with me that day. The camera he was carrying was among the first "entirely off the shoulder" cameras to hit the business. It replaced our heavy equipment package that included not only a camera but a heavy videotape deck the photographers  had to carry on their opposite shoulders.

Senator Helms suddenly grabbed David's camera, shook it, and said something to the effect of, "wow, these things certainly have gotten lighter."

These two encouters illustrate a characteristic of Senator Helms that not too many realized. He considered himself a journalist. He started out in newspapers and eventually became a TV news director and station vice-president (WRAL-TV in Raleigh). He knew how to write extremely well and knew how to use words perfectly to his advantage---in his writings, his interviews, his speeches, and his news conferences.

I believe this certainly was one of the major keys to him becoming one of the most if  not THE most effective politicians/politician in North Carolina history. Love or hate his positions, no one can deny he knew how to get his points across. He also was among the first politicians to truly "get" television-- be it his "negative" ads or his refusing to debate Harvey Gantt at one time---saying it would be a "dog and pony show." He knew how to create sound bites that would end up in just about every newscast.

We haven't seen quite the effectiveness or influence in a North Carolina politician since. I wonder if we ever will.

We'd love to read some of your memories/opinions about Senator Helms. Please comment in the box below.

I didn’t know Tim Russert. But I, like every other broadcast journalist, certainly knew who he was and respected him tremendously. Over the last few days as we’ve mourned his loss, I’ve tried to figure out what made him so good at what he did. Perhaps that’s too perplexing of a question because there are so many things people loved about him.

But maybe it has something to do with the fact he was so “human.” He was the guy with whom you’d love to share a meal or a beverage, someone from whom you could gain a lifetime of wisdom within just a short amount of time.

Although I never met Russert face-to-face, I did get to see him one time. It was before the November 2000 election. (It was just weeks before he became even more famous with his dry erase board and his writing “Florida, Florida, Florida.”) George Bush and Al Gore were about to debate at Wait Chapel on the Wake Forest Campus in Winston-Salem.

Russert was standing alone in the lobby area just behind the chapel’s balcony where all the major broadcast news organizations had set up their makeshift studios. He was just standing there looking a little lost, but you could tell he was very “approachable.” I regret I didn’t have the time to speak to him. I was about to field-anchor the 5pm news from the balcony, and we were having technical issues. I wish now that I had took the time—if only a few seconds.

I can’t praise Russert any better than so many of his colleagues already have. But I did come across a column I believe sums up Tim Russert about as good as any. It’s written by a friend and professional colleague of mine. Jill Geisler is a former reporter, anchor, and news director at WITI-TV in Milwaukee. She now teaches other journalists at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida. Here is—in part—how she sums up Russert’s career:

“Tim Russert was a true mainstream media guy. The kind traditional journalists identify with. His work was based on research, not rhetoric. If he had biases, he kept 'em caged. He asked tough questions of everyone. He sought light, not just heat on his program. He was the engine that drove "Meet the Press" but he acted like everyman. There amid the glossiness of many TV types, Russert often looked like he'd just bounded up a flight of stairs to the studio, having paid more attention to doing his homework than his hair.” 

“Tim Russert demonstrated key aspects of leadership.”

“Perhaps we're feeling the shock and loss of Tim Russert's death so deeply because we took him for granted. He was so upbeat, reliable and real -- so devoid of an agenda other than reporting and making sense of the political process -- that no one thought of having a fan club for him. We just counted on him, above others, for the straight story.” 

“What greater reward -– or legacy -- can there be for a journalist?”

Tweetsie Railroad was my first theme park experience. I remember my mom and dad loading up the 1965 Impala for the four hour journey to Blowing Rock. Several years ago I took my own children to Tweetsie. Believe it or not, they seemed to enjoy it as much or more than the Disney Parks. (It was A LOT less expensive and not as crowded too!)

This is why I was happy to read in the Winston-Salem Journal this morning Watauga County Commissioners have agreed to help keep Tweetsie Railroad open. You see, the park’s railroad (which consists of a late 1800s-era steam locomotive that pulls passengers through the mountain foliage to experience an old-fashioned train robbery—among other things) runs through several pieces of property the park leases.

Apparently the ownership of one of those pieces of property expressed an interest to end its relationship with Tweetsie, sell the property, and make a whole lot of money. (That just goes to show you the current land value in North Carolina’s High Country.) Tweetsie couldn’t compete with that. The park’s president, Chris Robbins, (His family’s owned the place since it opened in 1957!) had said this and other unresolved land issues threatened to close the park.

Then last night, Watauga County Commissioners stepped up to the plate. They agreed to spend more than 3-million dollars to buy the land in question with plans to sell it back to Tweetsie eventually plus interest and other expenses. The deal also calls for the county’s tourism authority to spend more than 1-million dollars to market the park and other area attractions.

I was also pleased to read the management of Grandfather Mountain (which certainly competes with Tweetsie for visitors) spoke up in favor of Tweetsie at the meeting saying that when people drive up from Florida they need more than one place to visit or they’re not going to come. Talk about cooperation. Some of those in the Piedmont-Triad who resist “regionalism” can learn something from this.

This is certainly good news for Tweetsie which has faced some tough challenges in recent months. (The park’s museum burned recently.) Yes, this park is what many would call “campy.” But the eyes of so many children (and adults!) —despite the Disney-fication of our world—will still light up as they  experience the thrill of a real steam locomotive, see an old-west show, speak to cowboys, pan for gold, and enjoy a show in the old dance hall---just as I did in the mid-1960s and just as my children do today.

I’m just glad Tweetsie ended the old parking lot practice of sticking “Tweetsie Railroad” bumper stickers on your car while you’re inside enjoying the park. My dad and I had a lot of trouble peeling one off the Impala.

My thoughts on some of the major races/referendums after the May 6th North Carolina Primary:

PRESIDENT/DEMOCRATS

Barack Obama winning wasn’t as much of a surprise as the size of his victory. I really thought Hillary Clinton would put up a bigger challenge. The polls reflected that late in the campaign. The governor endorsed her. She, her husband, and daughter made countless stops in North Carolina—especially in the eastern and western parts of the state. Her crowds were strong and enthusiastic. Obviously Barack Obama had the money and the resources to produce a stronger “connection” with the voters (especially African Americans, the wealthy, and the young people). The Reverend Wright and Hillary’s gas tax proposal didn’t appear to hurt or help the candidates respectively.

NC GOVERNOR/DEMOCRATS

No surprise here. Richard Moore’s campaign appeared to crumble right before our eyes over the last week. Bev Perdue looking voters right in the eyes in her campaign ads and telling them she was going “positive” worked. So did Andy Griffith. Moore’s radio and television ads that many described as “race-baiting” failed miserably. I personally think it’s sad two members of the same party and the governor’s council of state had to go this “negative” in the first place.

NC GOVERNOR/REPUBLICANS

This was a nice victory for Guilford County’s own Pat McCrory. Everyone thought this would be really tight last night. It wasn’t. McCrory had the resources to produce and air more television ads than State Senator Fred Smith, and it worked. (I just wish McCrory would have looked the voters in the eyes instead of staring off to the side.) McCrory will have his hands full with Bev Perdue who, I must say, looked very “gubernatorial” last night.

US SENATE/DEMOCRATS

Kay Hagan reached out on television. Jim Neal didn’t. That was the difference. Everyone agrees Hagan will have a much tougher job with Elizabeth Dole who (according to the last poll I saw) has at least a 7 point lead. I doubt we’ll see Dole agree to debate Hagan. So, expect a heavy barrage of TV ads. Dole will go after Hagan’s inexperience. Hagan will go after Dole being seemingly “out of touch” with North Carolina voters. A key for Hagan will be emotionally connecting on television—looking them in the eyes and saying, “I’m Kay Hagan. This is who I am and what I stand for.” That worked for John Edwards when he went up against Lauch Faircloth in 1998. It could work for her.

GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL BONDS

This was the way to run an effective campaign for this large a bond package: be open, answer questions, refute criticism, show the need, do television, do internet, hold meetings, appear organized. The opponents lost (in my opinion) because none offered up true solutions to the problems (crowded facilities where students are eating lunch on the hallway floors, more than 1000 new students entering the school system every year…among others). I heard a lot of whining and moaning about higher taxes, a fiscally- inept school board, and minority contractors. None of that criticism was “solution oriented” in the traditional sense. It's one thing to say, "this school board doesn't know how to spend money." It's another to say, "this school board doesn't know how to spend money, but here's how we solve our overcrowding problem...."

GUILFORD COUNTY JAIL BONDS

Convincing voters to spend money on space to house inmates is tough. But I think Guilford County voters finally “got it” that if they didn’t build the new jail this way, the state and/or federal governments would force them to. This package also rolled the tide of what appears to be an increasing crime rate locally. The “our house or your house” campaign line worked.

Now---on to November.

What an honor it was for me and the rest of the Fox 8 Family to be a part of what I believe is certainly one of the largest charitable events in the Piedmont-Triad: The Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure in Winston-Salem this past weekend.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect nor could have the turnout. I haven't seen any hard numbers yet , but I heard more than 10,000 people had registered by the start of the race. What a wonderful tangible illustration of this area's compassion and willingness to do what it takes to wipe out this deadly disease.

Thank you, too, to all of you who walked up and spoke to us Saturday morning. It's always great to have that one-on-one contact with so many of our viewers. And believe me, there are a LOT of them!

Please take a moment to check out some of the pictures of the event I've posted in the "My Photos" section. Pay special attention to those in the pink t-shirts (cancer survivors--many of whom actually took part in the race.) These are courtesy of photographer Ray Reynolds. (Thanks Ray!) There's also a REALLY nice section here on the website devoted to the Race for the Cure (including video and an extensive photo slide show). Just click on the "about us" tab above!

Here's looking forward to next year!

This week marks an end of an era for me and the rest of the FOX 8 family. Friday (April 18th) will be Rich Brenner’s last day on the air at WGHP-TV FOX 8. Rich is retiring after 30+ years in broadcasting.

It seems as if it was just yesterday when Rich joined this family in 1986. I was co-anchoring the station’s weekend newscasts and fondly remember those days I’d fill-in for Fred Blackman and sit beside Rich during the 6:00pm and 11:00pm weeknight newscasts--and occasionally on the weekends.

But my link to Rich goes back more than 10 years earlier. You see, I grew up in southeastern North Carolina and --as a child-- watched Rich (along with Charlie Gaddy, Bobbie Batista, and Bob DeBardelaben) deliver the nightly sports report on WRAL-TV in Raleigh. That news team and that television station were major influences in my decision to make broadcast journalism my career choice.

There are three words I believe accurately describe Rich: brilliant, passionate, and compassionate. Let me explain---

I’ve often said Rich Brenner has one of the most “brilliant” minds I’ve ever known. His memory and his ability to process difficult concepts are impeccable. He can name the teams, the scores, and the significant plays of just about every major sporting event over the last 50 years.

In writing news stories over the years, I’ve dialed Rich’s extension every time I couldn’t remember a NASCAR driver’s name or which team won the Super Bowl 13 years ago. He’d always recall that information immediately—in addition to the car owner and winning quarterback. (For some reason, he can also remember the lyrics of Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” complete with the correct rhythm and word emphasis. Ask him to do this for you if you want a good laugh!)

The second word that best describes Rich Brenner is “passionate.” There aren’t many who work harder than Rich. Rich has little patience with co-workers and others who don’t follow his example of giving 150%. Sometimes I’ve lived up to Rich’s standards. Other times I haven’t.

But, then again, I’ve sometimes felt (and I’m sure Rich wouldn’t disagree) that passion’s gotten the best of him. Because Rich sets such high standards for himself and others, it’s difficult for him to “ease off” or “de-stress.” Many times when Rich has seemed easily-frustrated or impatient, I’ve told him, “let it go Rich, it’s not your job to worry about that.”---or----“Rich, you don’t have any control over that.” For Rich, taking that advice was easier said than done.

This full-throttle/do what it takes to get the story/take no prisoners approach has undoubtedly contributed to Rich’s heart problems in recent years—which have, more than anything, prompted his retirement. But it’s also why so many in his profession respect and admire him.

And finally, you can’t neglect Rich’s “compassion.” I remember Rich showing up at one of our Salvation Army Bell Ringings dressed as one of Santa’s helpers and parking his motorcycle so the children could see it up close. Rich—as many of you know--- also played Santa’s helper at the Sealy/Fox 8 Holiday Concerts for years. Children have a special place in Rich’s heart. He never turned down a DARE graduation speaking request or a chance to influence a young person’s life in a positive way.

I remember the year he showed up at my door at Christmas Eve in his Santa’s helper outfit to visit my oldest daughter when she was 3 years old. (She’s now 15.) Rich was also among the first WGHP colleagues in the receiving line at my father’s visitation last November. Not many have a bigger heart than Rich.

So Rich, as you enter this new phase of life—God’s speed. Take care of yourself. Enjoy your teaching and the students at Elon University. Take a few moments each day to “smell the roses.” Focus on everything that’s positive. Enjoy that beautiful grandchild and spending time with your family members who—I know---are yearning to see more of you at home after all these years.

I also hope everyone will watch the Fox 8 6:00 News EVERY day this week (April 14-18). We’re planning some special “Rich tributes” during those newscasts. It will all culminate on Friday (April 18th)---and you might see some Fox 8 family members you haven’t seen in a while!

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Not often does the Piedmont-Triad host four of the world's most famous people over the span of two days. But such is the case this week.

Senator Barack Obama is scheduled to hold a town meeting at Greenboro's War Memorial Auditorium tomorrow (March 26) afternoon. Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign, after first announcing she'd attend only an invitation-only event in Winston-Salem Thursday (March 27) evening, decided to go "all-public" with a town-hall meeting of her own at the Forsyth Tech Bolton Street Satellite Campus.

From a coverage standpoint, these visits are difficult for us. But probably not in the way you think. We've had some serious discussions in our newsroom and in our editorial meetings this week about ways to keep our coverage from appearing to favor one candidate over the other. (Needless to say in the beginning, it was a BIG concern with news Obama was planning a public event with media coverage and Clinton was planning an "exclusive" event in which media coverage was questionable.)

We're working hard to make sure our coverage is balanced not only in content but also in the way we promote coverage of these events (both on the air and the internet) and where we place these stories in newscasts. We're also working to put video and sound of all the major candidates in all the major races on our website.  I hope you'll notice this, and let us know what you think of the job we're doing.

Many often blast broadcast journalists for being "biased." I've been accused over the years of being both a far-left liberal and a far-right conservative. Many often criticize the FOX Network of leaning too far to the right and CNN for leaning in the opposite direction.

I can truthfully tell you our newsroom is a diverse group politically. We have staunch conservatives. We have far-left liberals. We have people who ride the fence. Needless to say, the conversations get interesting sometimes. And to say each of us in our newsroom is not "biased" is untrue. We just work really hard to keep those biases from showing up on the air.

What's also interesting about tomorrow is the visits most probably will remember will be George Clooney's and Renee Zellweger's to promote their new movie "Leatherheads." Yes, we'll cover that story as well---as fair and balanced as we possibly can! Riiight!

This is another one of those sad days. We received news early this afternoon of the murder of UNC Student Body President Eve Carson. And as we’ve scrambled to get crews to Chapel Hill and produce afternoon promotions of this story for both on-air and the website as well as prepare for our evening newscasts, I’ve had an opportunity to glance Eve Marie Carson’s biography. And I’ve been moved.

Here are some of the highlights:

-She was 22-years old.

-She was elected in February of 2007 with 55-percent of the vote in a runoff that produced a bigger student-voter turnout than previous year’s general election.

-She was a Morehead Scholar—meaning her high school academic performance was good enough to earn a free 4-year ride at UNC.

-She was a pre-med student majoring in both political science and biology.

-Among her interests—teaching and working with children. She taught science at the Frank Porter Graham Elementary School in Chapel Hill as part of a UNC program that encourages young students to learn science. She was a tutor at a middle school in Durham, and an assistant coach of “Girls on the Run of the Triangle.” That’s a character development program for young girls that uses running to teach values and self-confidence. (She was in her running shoes when she died in the middle of Davie Circle---just off  Franklin Street Wednesday morning.  I wonder if she was out running when someone killed her. I guess we’ll find out over the next few days.)

-During her sophomore year, she studied abroad in Havana, Cuba. She also spent her summers working and volunteering in Ecuador, Egypt, and Ghana,

-She grew up in Athens, Georgia, and was the student body president of her high school.

With Eve  having such strong leadership skills, you can’t help but wonder  what she would have been. What a doctor she would have been in the field of medicine which---in many ways---is in a leadership vacuum.

I hope that as this story develops over the next few days with the search for her killer, the news conferences, the vigils, the memorial services, and the funeral;  none of us will forget this bright star of a life that has been so suddenly and tragically extinguished.

You may not recognize his name. But I guarantee you’ve experienced his work. After nearly 25 years working in television news, I thought I had seen and heard just about everything and everyone.  That is, until only recently, when I met John Mauceri.

This spring, Mauceri ( pronounced “mao-CHERRY”) will celebrate his first anniversary as Chancellor of the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. I may be going out on a limb here, but I feel I can accurately say no one currently living and working in the Piedmont-Triad has worked with more of the world’s top artists than he.

He also has the longest curriculum vitae (Latin term meaning “course of life”) or “resume” I’ve ever seen. It’s 8 pages. It lists his more than 70 recordings, his Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Awards, his collaboration and friendship with the great Leonard Bernstein, his founding the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra which—under his leadership—performed with just about everyone from Roger Daltry to Michael Bouble to Carol Channing, and his work with Madonna in recording the soundtrack for “Evita.”

He’s also conducted most of the world’s top orchestras and opera companies. He’s kept and developed an early childhood interest in motion picture music to the point many consider him today’s world authority on music for film.  He’s taught, lectured, and performed in just about every medium. (He was even the voice of Claude Maginot in the video game, “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.”)

Before he took this job, one of the few positions his resume didn’t list was “college or university administrator.” But here we have one of the largest and most unique schools of its type in the world, but also one that has—over the years--- struggled with financial and image challenges. In many ways, it’s kept itself hidden as almost an exclusive type of community in south Winston-Salem. Obviously UNC System President Erskine Bowles felt the NCSA needed a different type of leader. So he hired one.

Mauceri stresses he’s a “performing chancellor.” In other words, he’s still conducting orchestras and opera companies worldwide while—at the same time---leading the NCSA. He feels it’s important for the students to learn from “working artists.” He also uses his own performances to publicize the school. And he occasionally will step in to teach a class or two.

He compares leading the NCSA’s five schools (dance, drama, design and production, filmmaking, and music—plus high school and undergraduate academic programs) to conducting an orchestra—respecting their individual contributions while making sure they communicate with each other and promote teamwork.

But you know what impressed me the most? John Mauceri is a down-to-earth nice guy. He’s someone you enjoy being around—whether you’re a musician, a factory worker, or a tv news anchor. Not long ago, he gave me about three-and-a-half hours of his time to lead me on a tour of what could be his greatest and most important career challenge---The North Carolina School of the Arts.

You can see part of this tour and get to know Mauceri in this Wednesday's “Newsmakers” segment in the Fox 8 10:00 News. You can also learn more about his philosophy and why he feels now is the most important time ever to support the arts in the “Web Extra” that will accompany this story on myfoxwghp.com.

Teacher, musician, conductor, composer, arranger, recording artist, author, and recently-installed administrator—Mauceri’s all those things. But—as he likes to say---the title “chancellor” is the Latin word for “gatekeeper.” And as far as the North Carolina School of the Arts is concerned, the gate is open.

Last Saturday’s cancelled Skybus flight due to pilot illness brought back some memories for me. Not many things are more frustrating than paying for travel you can’t make due to something you can’t control.

Such was the case last weekend when 52 passengers arrived at the Piedmont-Triad International Airport ready to board a flight to Hartford, Connecticut. (Skybus actually flies into Chicopee, MA about 32 miles or 41 minutes away from Hartford.). After walking up to the Skybus computer terminals, they learned their flight had been cancelled because one of the pilots called in sick.

Skybus offered them a couple of options: fly to the Boston area Saturday night (Skybus flies into Portsmouth, NH about 44 miles or 50 minutes away from Boston.) or wait for another flight to Chicopee on Sunday. At lease four passengers pooled resources, rented a car, and took a Southwest flight out of Raleigh-Durham direct into Hartford. It cost each passenger about $450.00.

Skybus spokesman Bob Tennebaum told us, “it's very unfortunate, a terrible inconvenience for people.” (But)   "There's not much you can do if somebody gets ill."

Welcome to the world and risks of booking flights on startup, low-fare airlines.

In the mid-to-late 1990s, my family and I decided to book three $99.00 tickets to Orlando from PTI aboard a relatively new low-fare, few-thrills airline called AirTran. The trip to Orlando was okay. The Boeing 737, however, must have been 35+ years old. The toilet hardly worked (it also smelled), and several of the seats were broken and taped down with duct tape. But we made it safely.

The trip back was a different story. After arriving at the Orlando airport for the return trip to Greensboro, we learned maintenance problems had grounded two or three of AirTran’s very limited number of planes. Needless to say, our flight was delayed. For the next 15 hours, my family camped out in the Orlando terminal. We got back to Greensboro well after midnight and disgruntled knowing we could have rented a car and driven back to North Carolina in less time.

Passengers need to be aware of the limitations facing a new startup airline. Give Skybus credit—it’s flying brand new aircraft and has a pool of well-qualified pilots. But it doesn’t have any spare aircraft or people to fly them. Because it’s still paying for those new planes, charging customers such low fares, paying high fuel costs, and because it’s a brand new company, it can’t afford them. If a pilot calls in sick or if snow closes one of its airports in the Northeast--- Greensboro passengers are going to feel it.

Skybus CEO Bill Diffenderffer told me during a recent “Newsmaker” interview his airline cancels only about three out of every 1000 flights. That’s an impressive number---especially if you have a staff of backup pilots, a fleet of backup aircraft, agreements with other airlines to put  passengers on other flights, and reservations agents on the other end of a 1-800 number to help the displaced passengers----all of which Skybus doesn’t have right now.

Diffenderffer is determined to make Skybus work in Greensboro and is confident it will. (So are a lot of people in this Piedmont-Triad given the incentives this area promised the company.) But like any brand new company, Skybus  and its passengers will have to face growing pains—especially this time of year when winter weather and the flu are so unpredictable.

Next week (when a lot of people will be on vacation and all the children will be out of school) can't come soon enough. Everyone--it seems---needs some separation from everyday life to de-stress.

Nothing illustrates this better than the fight (supposedly among parents) at the Oak Hill Elementary School Christmas program last night (Tuesday November 18). As I and others in the newsroom were putting this story together, I remember asking myself, "what is this world coming to?"

A viewer (who happened to be rolling her camcorder) called us after the incident and brought us the tape. You can watch the entire thing here on the website. What's so troubling about this is the altercation happened during what was supposed to be a happy time for elementary school children. We're talking first, second, and third graders---many of whom got to see these adults behaving badly---DURING A CHRISTMAS PROGRAM!

What sort of example is this? I don't envy the parents and teachers who didn't have anything to do with the fight, but are having to explain today to these children what happened. This is something everyone at last night's program---including these children--will probably remember the rest of their lives.

My question is, "was it worth it?" Couldn't these parents have had the courtesy to walk outside and discuss their differences instead of exposing the children to a shouting, hair-pulling episode that brought the holiday program to a screeching halt?

And for those who undoubtedly question our decision to air the videotape, I'm sorry. This is news. It happened in a very public place. Not all news is easy to swallow. Will it encourage "copycat" incidents? I don't think so. Does our airing the tape somehow endorse or condone this type of behavior? No. Will children watching this on television be affected negatively? No---especially if their parents are there (as they should be) to put this incident in perspective.

At the very least, I hope someone will watch this altercation and maybe think twice about trying to solve differences physically and in front of children.

Yes, I believe Rodney King did say it best, "can't we just all get along?"

It was great to see so many of you as we rode through the streets of downtown Greensboro and Winston-Salem during the Christmas parades last Saturday.

The weather was actually quite warm in Greensboro (as long as you were in the sun---as we were most of the time), and we didn't even need our jackets. It was a little cooler in Winston-Salem (that parade began at 5pm) as the sun set.

But it was heartwarming to wave and speak to many of our viewers face-to-face, and from our angle---there were A LOT of them lining the streets. It's not often we get to make eye contact with so many regular watchers at one time. Again, thanks!

Many thanks, too, to Rice Toyota of Greensboro for graciously providing the great Solara convertible we used. (We got many compliments on that car!)

Check out some of the pictures I took at the Greensboro parade in my new album. (I didn't take any in Winston-Salem because it was dark and the flash only carries so far.) The little girl in the back seat next to Julie and me is my 8-year-old, Lentz. Her mom and big sister were out of town Saturday---so she tagged along with us. She had a GREAT time!

Thanks again for making these memorable holiday happenings.

I promised myself when I started this process I wouldn't get too personal with my blogs. I read a lot of news anchor blog entries from across the country, and I've found--in more cases than not---the anchors tend to reveal a little too much about their personal lives. I usually find myself asking, "okay, what's the point? Sure it's great to learn a little more about this person, but this is more than I wanted to know."  

This time, however, I'm making an exception.

My sincere appreciation's going out today to members of the Fox 8 Family, Fox 8 Viewers, The Fox 8 Web Team, and the Fox 8 Blogging Community for all the thoughts, prayers, and expressions of support after the death of my father last week. Words can't express the amount of comfort and reassurance I and my family felt from the many phone calls, cards, flowers, letters, e-mails, blog entries/comments, and personal visits.

Although my dad lived in southeastern North Carolina, he had the ability to watch our newscasts. And he did so every day. The Fox 8 Family was part of his extended family, and that's another reason this kindness is so special.

Many of you who've lost a parent or other close family member know how stressful and emotionally-draining this past week has been for my family--especially with my dad's death happening during a holiday week.

Then there was the shock of it all. He died of a sudden hemorrhagic stroke (just type that into "Google" or another search engine to read more about this and the other main "type" of stroke, their causes, and their symptoms). We take comfort, however, in the fact he passed quickly, without much (if any) pain, and at home---just as he would have wanted. We also take comfort in knowing he's in a much better place!

The next few weeks and months will be difficult as we try to get my mom settled. So please keep those good thoughts and prayers coming. But again, please know how much I personally appreciate your kindness and support.