WFMY and Rip Van Winkle; or, What Did Chief Bellamy Know, and When Did He Know it?

We have had time to contemplate the nature of the journalistic offenses committed by local TV station WFMY one week ago. 

In some respects, WFMY has made itself the Rip Van Winkle of local broadcasting. The station reported the Chief Bellamy story as if its people had been asleep since mid-2006; and as if they were completely unaware of all that had transpired since then.  It was almost as if they had reawakened from a deep, prolonged slumber to a new, completely different world.

Meanwhile, Jerry Bledsoe's story raises some serious questions about the Chief's truthfulness regarding his decision to retire:

"Does your retirement then have anything to do with him being elected mayor?" Ingraham asks.

"Well, I'd be lying if I said it didn't," Bellamy responds. "There's [sic] a lot of factors that went into my decision to retire in July. And that statement did weigh some into the equation."

City Councilmember Mary Rakestraw said she was shocked to hear that. She had been told about Bellamy's intention to retire well before the election, she said, and she even brought it up in her pre-election interview with the editorial board at the News & Record.

When Bellamy publicly announced his retirement on Jan. 19, he made no mention of the mayor's election being a factor. Indeed, News & Record reporter Ryan Seals reported after Bellamy's News 2 interview that in January Bellamy "said his retirement decision had nothing to do with Knight's election … but Bellamy went back on that statement Friday."

That brings irony to Bellamy's statement to Ingraham that "I'd be lying if I said it didn't." Was he lying in January?

So which version is the truth, Chief Bellamy?

But here are some even more important questions.

Recall that the city manager's decision to suspend Assistant Chief Ron Rogers was made after the GPD's internal processes refrained from doing so. 

Was Chief Bellamy aware of whatever offense Ron Rogers may have committed?  And if so, when did he first become aware of it, and what actions did he take in response to that knowledge?

Why did the city manager's office act to discipline Rogers, after Bellamy apparently had not done so?

What is to happen with Assistant Chief Rogers' position over the long term, and also Gary Hastings' position, when the new chief is hired?

Why has there continued to be a deafening silence on these matters?

Comments

[wayne Stutts]

I wonder if the rumor I've heard will come to pass? Bellamy will promote James to Captain?

[wayne Stutts]

Oops James Hinson

[Joe Guarino]

I had not heard that rumor, Wayne, but that would be quite a slap in the city's face.

[buzzman]

I haven't heard anything about what kind of internal investigation was conducted. Anyone know?
Bellamy had probably known about the alegations for some time and most like ignored them.
City manager probably suspended Rogers to avoid any further investigation which would likely expose other players.
If Hastings retires just prior to Bellamy, expect Bellamy to promote someone to that position. Same thing could happen if Rogers retires soon.
Don't be surprised to see Hinson promoted within the next few months.

[Joe Guarino]

I would have to hope that our new assistant city manager will not allow that type of thing to happen.

There are a number of theories and rumors floating around with regard to all the things that may be happening.

[Susan]

Prediction is that the new asst city manager will be Anthony Wade, human relations director, not mike speedling.

[Stormy]

Sounds like funny business as usual at GPD.

[Reggie Greene / The Logistician]

Wouldn't this be a good time to look forward, prepare for the FUTURE, try to learn from past difficulties, make some systemic changes in the system and/or the department, and let this man simply fade away into retirement?

[Brenda Bowers]

Reggie, I am sure this is exactly what most of us and this includes Mayor Knight would like to do. Unfortunately by bringing up all the David Wray and Mitch Johnson lies (have been proven in court to be lies when Mitch signed a confession that the city had nothing on which to base his accusations of Wray) then Bellamy himself is stirring the pot once more. Is he doing it for his own ego or is he doing so that the Black cops who are erroneously suing the city can get their case going again? Or both? At any rate, it is racism pure and simple on his part! And it is this Black racism that has been operating to keep Greensboro from moving beyond the 1970's. Regardless of what the White community has done to show they no longer feel as their parents and grandparents might have by hiring many Blacks into city and county government in high positions, having several Black Police Chiefs, a Black mayor and now a Black City Manager it has not been enough to quell Black racism in this city.

I don't know what will be enough to allow us off of this old and tired merry-go-round of race baiting and playing the race card. I just know that Blacks seem to get away with all kinds of criminal behavior and not have to pay the price for it. I know that our police department is in shambles and as a result I do not feel we are getting the security we should be getting from this department. BB

[Roch101]

"have been proven in court to be lies when Mitch signed a confession that the city had nothing on which to base his accusations of Wray" -- Brenda

Holy cow!

[Brenda Bowers]

Roch this was the suit that you and Sam filed and the statement Mitch Johnson signed under oath. Anything done under oath before a judge I feel is "in court". I may be wrong on this point since I am not a lawyer and it may be a matter of mistaken semantics, but you understand well what I was saying.

Roch have you nothing better to do with your life? I feel sure you have some intelligence, but I have seen little sign of it over the past year. And, you seem to have revived the N&R Deacon Demon persona you used so hatefully until you were called out and then disappeared. Put him back in his cave Roch. BB

[Stormy]

Brenda, thanks for calling-out the old Demon Deacon out again. The Demon Deacon was the scourge of Greensboro blogs for years. After reflecting upon it, I can see the same vileness and anger in Roch these days. The person probably has a level of intelligence, but he is totally unable to direct it in positive ways. He's a pitiful individual who must lead a very unhappy life. We know this to be so, as he never has a happy or positive thought, as expressed through his posts.

Regarding happy thoughts, someone wrote the following:

Think Happy Thoughts
Happy thoughts are part of our lives. In an average day it is estimated that we have around 60,000 thoughts. Have you ever wondered how many of these thoughts are happy thoughts?

It is known that happy people think more happy thoughts than unhappy people. If we think happy thoughts... we create happy perceptions... we create a beautiful aura of light around ourselves... which leads us to happy events. And so we create a exciting circle (where we become even happier).

Jealous, angry and fearful thoughts and feelings take us away from our own path... our own purpose. But a straight path doesn't admit compromises. This negative thoughts strip us of our power and ability to act effectively. If we think fearful thoughts we become afraid and act defensively. This pushes away other people and other possibilities away from us. And so we become lonelier and more afraid.

The route to a happier life is through happy thoughts. Not just because they make you feel better immediately... but because happier thoughts give you a stronger and more stable foundation to your life. You are in control rather than being bounced around by life.