Webb: 'I'm Sick Of This Kind Of Reporting'

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C.,None — For County Commissioner Andy Webb, Thursday's story about pet poop on the Greenway really stunk.

It all began when the McDowell Trails Association launched a campaign to encourage pet owners to clean up after their animals when enjoying the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway. The message was conveyed via mass e-mail.

"The City of Marion may impose a 'no pets allowed' restriction in the Greenway area. That would mean no pets, even if on a leash," the message from mcdowelltrails@charter.net read.

"If you enjoy the Greenway with your pet," the e-mail continued, "please clean up after it. Tell others. We don't want to loose the privilege of walking with our four legged pals."

A McDowell News reporter followed up, seeking comments from Trails Association President Bill Hendley and Marion City Manager Bob Boyette. The Greenway is a city park.

On Thursday, the story ran on the front page with the headline "Dog owners could see ban if they don't clean up."

That's when tempers flared.

McDowell County Commissioner Andy Webb called reporter Mike Conley and asked repeatedly to know "what officials" had said pets could be banned.

"I'm sick of this kind of reporting," Webb stated.

Conley, during the approximately 15-minute exchange, informed Webb that he had confirmed the e-mail's contents with Boyette and Hendley. He added that both officials were identified in the original story.

Shortly afterward, on Thursday, a Facebook subscriber, identified as "Andy Webb -- Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College," posted a comment to mcdowellnews.com urging readers to ask Conley to identify the official who said pets could be banned.

"I called him today and he could not answer my question," the comment read. "I then ask (sic) Mr. Conley is that his role as a journalist to speculate an outcome and use it as a headline. … I suspect this one local media outlet may not be happy with me."

McDowell News Editor and General Manager Scott Hollifield said the newspaper isn't unhappy with Webb.

"But we are concerned when anyone – especially an elected official – questions the integrity of our reporting," Hollifield said.

The McDowell News called Webb Monday morning, seeking to better understand what precisely he objected to.

"What is your interest?" Webb asked. "You're fishing. You guys do whatever you want. I don't have an interview to give you."

Webb added that he did not know anything about a Facebook comment on The McDowell News website. Asked if his Facebook account had been hacked, he said he could neither conform nor deny it.

"I have no comment to give you," said Webb.

Had the paper misrepresented the attitude of officials? The McDowell News asked Boyette for clarification.

"I think the message we have, as was conveyed in the story, is for people to clean up after their pets," he said. "The Trails Association initiated the contact (with The McDowell News) and we appreciate that.

"The message was adequately conveyed in the story," he added.

Is it within the city's power to set rules for pets at the Greenway?

"It is the City Council's power to set rules," he stated. But he added, there is no rule change currently pending and council has not discussed the action.

As it adjourned following a Monday morning meeting, The McDowell News asked members of the County Commission if there was any dispute over authority between city and county as it relates to the Greenway park.

Chairman David Walker said the county enjoys "a very good working relationship with the city."

County Manager Chuck Abernathy said the county government has "never had a discussion with the city about dogs in the park, not even informally."

Webb said the city and county's relationship is "very much a partnership."

He then said he had no comment. He urged Walker to be "be extremely careful in talking to the media," and repeated, "I have no comment to make."

WSOC