Public Meeting 2
I attended the Victim Impact Panel, MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, on September 22, 2008, at 6:00, at the county center.
This meeting was extremely interesting, and at some points hard to listen to. The stories that were told here were sad, unfortunate, and pretty graphic. We had the opportunity to listen to a few speakers. The meeting began with Susan Baker. She told the story of how she lost her daughter to a drunk driver, and how it has impacted her and her family. Her words were touching, and it is extremely difficult to feel what she is feeling after losing her 22-year-old daughter. The point of this meeting is to make everyone aware of the dangers when you get behind the wheel under the influence. Everyone that attended this meeting was required by their parole officer, and if they didn’t it was jail. Susan also gave out numbers that will take you home when you consumed alcohol, 800-AAA-HELP. This is provided by triple A and they provide this service that can avoid disasters like losing or taking someone’s life.
The second speaker was the most impressive. His name was Wes, I spoke to him after the meeting but he did not provide his last name. He was the drunk driver. On August 12, 2002 Dianne Korte was killed. She was the passenger, while Mr. Wes was the driver. The explanation of this story gave me goose bumps. To hear the horror, pain and agony that the girl’s family had to go through what he had to go through to recover was astonishing. Wes had to learn how to walk, and use the restroom all over again, but worst of all a life was lost because of driving under the influence. A direct quote from Wes: “Five minutes to make the decision to drink and drive but it takes a lifetime to make up for it”. He is speaking at the MADD meeting not because he has to, he did that for two years, he is doing it because he wants to. He will never be able to drive again, and he thinks about the accident everyday.
So in conclusion this meeting was interesting, sad, tough to listen to, but gave a wake up call on that it can happen to anyone. All the speakers stressed that MADD is not against consuming alcohol, they believe that once you have had one, DO NOT GET BEHIND A WHEEL!
Contacts Interviewed:
Susan Baker (Daughter killed in accident)
Robin Powell (Survivor, hit by Drunk Driver)
Deputy Richards
Tammy Philpott
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Orient Road Jail
Today’s experience at the Orient Road Jail is pretty difficult to put into words, but was still an eye opener in regards to what goes on in our world. I can not even begin to imagine that there are about 200 arrests a day.
I learned a lot from this trip, and will use this information in my professional career. Major gave an excellent tour and was extremely informative about the entire process that an individual has to go through when they are arrested. I learned what becomes a public record; for example intake, everything on the cameras, and property.
I also learned the reasoning why they take all belongings, and jewelry; it can become a form of extortion. So to prevent all of that from happening, they remove it at booking. Once your information is put into the database, anyone can access it.
From the booking area we then moved into the pods. At first I was a little nervous in seeing the inmates in their jail cells. I was pretty much pre-programmed by movies and what I see on TV. It was very different from what is shown on TV and movies. I expected to see all the inmates starting fights and being disruptive, but it was nothing like that. They were walking around, some playing basketball, others cleaning; but I still felt a little awkward being in there.
We then moved into the lock down, where these inmates are given 2 hours of recreational time. It was hard for met o understand that these inmates are in there cells 22 hours at a time; but they are in there for a reason so it was easier to handle.
Lastly we saw where the individual watches all the surveillance cameras. This was another neat place to visit because you saw everything that was going on around the entire property.
Over all it was a great experience, and I learned a lot. In regards to budget cuts; I do not think there should be any in a facility like this. This is done to make out community safer, and I do not think that they should take away from that. I want to feel safe in my community and if that involves paying a little more in taxes then so be it, as long as it is used properly, and not taken advantage of.
I learned a lot from this trip, and will use this information in my professional career. Major gave an excellent tour and was extremely informative about the entire process that an individual has to go through when they are arrested. I learned what becomes a public record; for example intake, everything on the cameras, and property.
I also learned the reasoning why they take all belongings, and jewelry; it can become a form of extortion. So to prevent all of that from happening, they remove it at booking. Once your information is put into the database, anyone can access it.
From the booking area we then moved into the pods. At first I was a little nervous in seeing the inmates in their jail cells. I was pretty much pre-programmed by movies and what I see on TV. It was very different from what is shown on TV and movies. I expected to see all the inmates starting fights and being disruptive, but it was nothing like that. They were walking around, some playing basketball, others cleaning; but I still felt a little awkward being in there.
We then moved into the lock down, where these inmates are given 2 hours of recreational time. It was hard for met o understand that these inmates are in there cells 22 hours at a time; but they are in there for a reason so it was easier to handle.
Lastly we saw where the individual watches all the surveillance cameras. This was another neat place to visit because you saw everything that was going on around the entire property.
Over all it was a great experience, and I learned a lot. In regards to budget cuts; I do not think there should be any in a facility like this. This is done to make out community safer, and I do not think that they should take away from that. I want to feel safe in my community and if that involves paying a little more in taxes then so be it, as long as it is used properly, and not taken advantage of.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sheriff's Office Trip
The trip to the Sheriff’s office was exciting and extremely informative. J.D. Callaway was an amazing speaker and was willing to answer any questions that we had in regards to how the system worked. He was great in informing us what was available as a public record. The handouts that he provided were great examples of what we can find when we use the sources given to us. The tour of the office was also another great part of the trip. I have never seen the inside of the Sheriff’s Office. It was kind of neat to see how it all works, and the layout of the building. Another interesting point that J.D. mentioned was how the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office is the 9th largest in the nation.
Walking through the 911 dispatch area was pretty overwhelming. Seeing that each dispatcher had four monitors to review, listen to the caller, make sure it is dispatched to the correct location are just a few of the tasks that a dispatcher has to perform. I don’t think that I would be able to do all that both physically and emotionally. Hearing some of the calls in the background and how the dispatchers dealt with the situation was amazing.
Overall the experience was great. I learned a lot in regards to obtaining public records at the sheriff’s office. J.D. was full of information that we as future reporters can use to present an accurate and informative story to the public. He stressed how sometimes reporters do not know what they have accessible to them; they sometimes neglect to come back and get more information about their story. He made sure that we know what is there and how to use it. I loved the tour and I am looking forward to the rest of our trips to learn more about what is available for us to make great reporters.
Walking through the 911 dispatch area was pretty overwhelming. Seeing that each dispatcher had four monitors to review, listen to the caller, make sure it is dispatched to the correct location are just a few of the tasks that a dispatcher has to perform. I don’t think that I would be able to do all that both physically and emotionally. Hearing some of the calls in the background and how the dispatchers dealt with the situation was amazing.
Overall the experience was great. I learned a lot in regards to obtaining public records at the sheriff’s office. J.D. was full of information that we as future reporters can use to present an accurate and informative story to the public. He stressed how sometimes reporters do not know what they have accessible to them; they sometimes neglect to come back and get more information about their story. He made sure that we know what is there and how to use it. I loved the tour and I am looking forward to the rest of our trips to learn more about what is available for us to make great reporters.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Public Meeting
I attended the Public Art Program meeting, this meeting was held by Bill Iverson who is the project manager. There are seven people who make up this committee; they range from architects to art councils, to citizens with knowledge of the arts.
This meeting was rather interesting, and I learned things that I never knew existed. Some interesting fact that Bill pointed out in this meeting was the how the public art program is funded. One percent of a new construction goes to public art, but there is a cap 200,000. There are various projects underway, but what the committee is concentrating on right now is the rewriting of the ordinance. The discussions revolve around what is going to changed, or updated. One of the things that is definitely going to change is that the meetings will be held every other month, along with various things. The two recent projects that are in the works is the South Shore Regional Library in Sun City and right in our backyard Mosi.
The process in which an artist is chosen is unique. First step is sending out all the information, and ads to everyone in the “art world”, in this over one hundred artist apply. From this point is where the committee will then chose three artist and pay them 1,000 to enter in proposal. They then proceed to presenting it to the committee and after much negotiation only one artist is chosen.
This meeting informed me of a lot of things I did not know. First I never knew there was such thing as an art committee. Then to find out that one percent of a new construction goes to art. That amazed me; sometimes things like this are taken for granted. Bill pointed out one statue in front of one of the buildings that was done by the public art committee that cost 400,000; in this case there was an exception for this piece. I also found out that pretty much everything has its own art program, for example Tampa International Airport, and us here at University of South Florida which is the most recognized in an academic institution. One of the most famous on campus is the sun-dial.
Overall this meeting was incredibly informative and interesting. I found out how the process works in putting up an art piece to what is in the books for the future. Bill Iverson was very helpful, he gave me a business card and was willing to help and answer any questions that I had.
Contact:
William D. Iverson
Project Manager
813-307-1070
email-iverson@hillsboroughcoutny.org
This meeting was rather interesting, and I learned things that I never knew existed. Some interesting fact that Bill pointed out in this meeting was the how the public art program is funded. One percent of a new construction goes to public art, but there is a cap 200,000. There are various projects underway, but what the committee is concentrating on right now is the rewriting of the ordinance. The discussions revolve around what is going to changed, or updated. One of the things that is definitely going to change is that the meetings will be held every other month, along with various things. The two recent projects that are in the works is the South Shore Regional Library in Sun City and right in our backyard Mosi.
The process in which an artist is chosen is unique. First step is sending out all the information, and ads to everyone in the “art world”, in this over one hundred artist apply. From this point is where the committee will then chose three artist and pay them 1,000 to enter in proposal. They then proceed to presenting it to the committee and after much negotiation only one artist is chosen.
This meeting informed me of a lot of things I did not know. First I never knew there was such thing as an art committee. Then to find out that one percent of a new construction goes to art. That amazed me; sometimes things like this are taken for granted. Bill pointed out one statue in front of one of the buildings that was done by the public art committee that cost 400,000; in this case there was an exception for this piece. I also found out that pretty much everything has its own art program, for example Tampa International Airport, and us here at University of South Florida which is the most recognized in an academic institution. One of the most famous on campus is the sun-dial.
Overall this meeting was incredibly informative and interesting. I found out how the process works in putting up an art piece to what is in the books for the future. Bill Iverson was very helpful, he gave me a business card and was willing to help and answer any questions that I had.
Contact:
William D. Iverson
Project Manager
813-307-1070
email-iverson@hillsboroughcoutny.org
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Guest 2
Matt Doig, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, investigative reporter (data base specialist).
Matt Doing was another interesting speaker. He was extremely informative, and his personal experiences where great to hear. I like how he was able to tell us what he has encountered on a day to day basis, and some of the big stories that he has published. Some of what Matthew mention he does is, reporting in which the reporters deeply investigate a topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or another type of scandal. It was also interesting how he got a hold of some of the public records, for example there was an employee that requested something from the FBI, and it was not till 5 years later that eh received the document. Matthew informed us that with that you cannot put a time limit. He was surprised to see this documents, but being that the former employee requested it when he was employed with the company, there fore it is the property of the company that he was employed by when the request was made.
Another point that Matthew mentioned is when he calls in to request a public record they say “Oh, ok we have to give it to you because you are from the newspaper”, this comment irritates him because anyone has access to that not ONLY people form the news paper.
Being an investigative reporter is rather interesting because a lot of it does coincide with TV. Much of what is written in the newspaper can become a news story. He mentioned this several times throughout his talk that many paper stories can also be news stories for us TV News people.
Another point that Matthew made is how an investigative journalist may spend a considerable period researching and preparing a report, sometimes months or years, whereas a typical daily or weekly news reporter writes items concerning immediately available news.
Matt Doing was another interesting speaker. He was extremely informative, and his personal experiences where great to hear. I like how he was able to tell us what he has encountered on a day to day basis, and some of the big stories that he has published. Some of what Matthew mention he does is, reporting in which the reporters deeply investigate a topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or another type of scandal. It was also interesting how he got a hold of some of the public records, for example there was an employee that requested something from the FBI, and it was not till 5 years later that eh received the document. Matthew informed us that with that you cannot put a time limit. He was surprised to see this documents, but being that the former employee requested it when he was employed with the company, there fore it is the property of the company that he was employed by when the request was made.
Another point that Matthew mentioned is when he calls in to request a public record they say “Oh, ok we have to give it to you because you are from the newspaper”, this comment irritates him because anyone has access to that not ONLY people form the news paper.
Being an investigative reporter is rather interesting because a lot of it does coincide with TV. Much of what is written in the newspaper can become a news story. He mentioned this several times throughout his talk that many paper stories can also be news stories for us TV News people.
Another point that Matthew made is how an investigative journalist may spend a considerable period researching and preparing a report, sometimes months or years, whereas a typical daily or weekly news reporter writes items concerning immediately available news.
Monday, September 8, 2008
First Amendment Foundation Sunshine Seminar
Ms. Harper's was extremely informative and interesting. I learned a lot that will help me in the future when I am researching different topics. There were a few points that Ms. Harper mentioned that caught my attention. The fact that agencies cannot charge you for viewing public records. This is something that if i would have gone out and attempted to get some type of public record and they asked me to pay a fee, I would have done it unknowingly. Thankfully, I now know that no agency or can charge for the viewing of the records. There a few exceptions that Ms, Harper spoke about, which is recreating the record for example on a CD. No agency can make any type of profit, they have to charge the actual amount, but as Stated in the handout that we received generally, a public agency may charge no more than 15 cents per page for copies up to 8 ½ x 14 inches, plus and additional 5 cents for two-sided copies.
Another interesting point is how vague certain definitions are, for example the definition of a public record is defined as all documents, papers, letter, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing, software or other material regardless of physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission made or received. Like Ms. Harper stated that these definitions are fuzzy and can get confusing when claiming something public record, a post-it note can also be a form of public record. The challenge is how do you get everything.
There are also two types of sanctions for those who violate the Public Records Law. There can be a fine and/or fee if a public officer knowingly violates s. 119.07(1),F.S. Another sanction that is provided for violating the public records law is suspension and removal or impeachments, and can lead to imprisonment.
Overall Adria Harper was a great speaker and extremely knowledgeable about what she does. I look forward to having Ms. Harper as a resource for information about public records.
Another interesting point is how vague certain definitions are, for example the definition of a public record is defined as all documents, papers, letter, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing, software or other material regardless of physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission made or received. Like Ms. Harper stated that these definitions are fuzzy and can get confusing when claiming something public record, a post-it note can also be a form of public record. The challenge is how do you get everything.
There are also two types of sanctions for those who violate the Public Records Law. There can be a fine and/or fee if a public officer knowingly violates s. 119.07(1),F.S. Another sanction that is provided for violating the public records law is suspension and removal or impeachments, and can lead to imprisonment.
Overall Adria Harper was a great speaker and extremely knowledgeable about what she does. I look forward to having Ms. Harper as a resource for information about public records.
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