Doug McDowell the local morning show CoffeeTalk host has a serious conflict of interest. I'm pretty sure Bill W. recognises it and I know Doug does. As people who proclaim to have Journalistic Integrity, I'm not sure why they continue to support this conflict.

Doug McDowell needs to recuse himself from interviewing Aberdeen Mayor Bill Simpson. It's disgusting how he protects Simpson during campaign seasons and even now during shows with Simpson as the guest. The conflict comes because Doug's wife is an employee at JCP and in direct supervision of Simpson who is heer manager. It's becoming apparent that Doug is so protective of Simpson because of this and Simpsons possible repocussions. To me it seems apparent, atleast.

I absolutely believe, from listening, that there must be some sort of fear behind Doug's protectiveness. I know from personal experiences with Simpson that he can be a vindictive and dispicable man. I understand in this small of a community these types of issues can become difficult to avoid but that doesn't mean we hav to put up with them.

If Grays Harbor Radio could put together an impartial morning radio show with the same format I would stop listening to CoffeeTalk altogether. And if someone says "Liev@9" is a good option, I'd just put forth that I'd rather listen to turtles mate then suffer an hour of Pat Anderson's voice and interview style.

Hey, it's just Mr. Bill's version of the good old boy network.

Live@9 and Coffee Talk are definately different animals. Live@9 is more of a Chamber of Commerce News Hour. Coffee Talk is all over the map, but provides substantially more listener contact and direction.

Yeah, the conflict is pretty apparent. If the Mayor turns a sharp corner, Doug's nose would break off. But, I still enjoy listening. It's kind of like picking a scab: it hurts, but you just can seem to stop doing it.

I have to chime in on this only in that neither are "Journalists" or would claim "Journalistic Integrity."
Doug is a talk show host, some of KBKW's talk show hosts also sell their own books on their program. KXRO's Pat Anderson is the Operations Manager of several stations, jocks on a couple, and interviews during Live@9. I can't speak FOR Pat, but I doubt he's shooting for "Journalistic Integrity" either.

Only a pet-peeve of mine because I can no longer be a "Jock" or do commercials for clients because I apparently AM a "Journalist."

However, please also read the signature, and include it in YOUR opinion of mine.

Thanks for clarifying that. But your inattention to the rest speaks volumes to me

You are correct, DeadDave. Neither Doug or Pat are held to "conflict of interest" standards on the shows and shouldn't be. It's entertainment. And, for most mayoral appearances on the show, it doesn't matter. I would think the only time it matters to me are in the interviews during the campaigns. My recollection is when the Mayor came for the campaign interview Doug did his proverbial bobble heading to whatever Bill thought was fact and argued with callers who wanted to confront the the Mayor on issues. Hannity, Bill the serial harasser O'Reilly, Limbaugh, etc. would do the same thing to their favorites, but we don't have to like it.

Outside campaign season, it's his show he can do what he wants. But, one observation, when someone confronts Bill on his appearance, Doug interjects and eventually cuts them off. But, other guests, like Gary Murrell, for instance, are left to deal with the knuckledragggers who call in because, "it makes for good radio" (actual quote).

I believe allowing the Mayor to be on the city Medical insurance is not appropriate and I feel his way of going about this has been unethical. I notice he didn't bring it forward until AFTER the election. I hope that our City Council members will stand up for the Citizens of Aberdeen and not allow this to happen. He is eligible for Medicare and if he chooses to retire from his regular full time job and give up additional benefits, he needs to do the same thing that the average citizen has to do. That is either be on Medicare or purchase a supplemental policy on his own. Why should the taxpayers pay for this? It should not be the responsibility of the City to purchase insurance on his behalf and certainly not our responsibility to purchase it for his wife.

First of all, Welcome! I'm hardly qualified to show you around the site, but this is a good group of people who are happy to throw their opinion at you

As far as the story, I think some information hasn't come out about this, for whatever reason. More details will come out next year, I can't say more because this channel isn't secure and I try to protect my sources.

Thanks. I heard about this site this morning on Coffee Talk. I like the show and I will probably equally like this site. It gives us all a place to vent and not cause TOO much damage.

Welcome indeed! The guy who first mentioned it on CoffeeTalk this morning is a complete toolshed. I personally can't stand him. But I'm glad he helped get you here.

well he proudly said graysharbortalk.com more times than any 1-800 number commercial I've ever heard. I almost thought you guys were a new paid sponsor, using some new form of viral marketing.

Yes I thought he must be the one who set up the site or he was employed by them. He did sound like a commercial of course.....then when Doug asked Dave if he was aware of the site, Dave said it a few times too. It gave me the curiousity to come check it out. Of course it won't help us solve the problems of the world but merely a place to vent and share thoughts and ideas. I liked what Doug just said a few minutes ago about Dave being the best news guy on the Harbor. I would certainly agree.

Well thank you, I'm Dave by the way.

I've been a lot of things in my career(s), the least of which - but still on the list - is regretfull.

Ahh, well perhaps then you could use your influence to get Doug to stop eating while talking.....it is awful on our end when he does that.
Oh is there any chance when you do the weather where you could give the current temperature?

People eating on the phone is the one that gets me - I'll mention that. As far as the temp - thank you, I know I need to get more into the habit of saying that.

Oh please know I was NOT finding fault with you. I just like to know because I drive a few miles to work and like to know what the temp may be so I will know if I have icy roads to contend with. I think you do a fine job though so I wasn't complaining!!!
Doug means well I believe when he begins eating something when people bring him food but it is so annoying to hear him crunch and chew and make his gutteral sounds. As parents we teach our kids to chew quietly with their mouths closed and then we turn on the radio and hear Doug chomping away.....UGH!!!
He gets so defensive though if ever anyone says anything other than praise to him so far be it from me to mention it to him.

Hey ain't I the one who usually bitches about Doug "fence sitter" McDowell?
Glad to see that blithering idiot is a topic here once again

Welcome selfcentered. It is too early to know how you'll take this group. It may be the bee's knees or it may end up being a source of great heart burn.

The important thing to remember is a quirk about bulleton boards, because folk are somewhat annonymous here, some will say things to another they would never say in person. Or say things in a manner they would never say in person.

That can get unnecessarily ugly sometimes. Don't give up on us if and when that happens. Feel free to post a question about how something works here because there a plenty of folk who will be glad to respond. And, if someone really starts irking you, learn hw to "block this user".

A couple simple rules: If someone chooses to stay annonymous here, we try to respect that. Some will "out" themselves. I kinda think DeadDave has done that. Most people know who I am. That's ok. Some people even use their own names. That's ok, too.

But, if you figure out who someone is and they are still acting annonymous here, you wouldn't want to comment on their real life situations not mentioned here. For example, "Well, because you said that about President Bush, I'm coming down to Business X and talk to your boss!" Bad form.


And, the only other rule that is broken often by some, it we try to keep the really foul language or adult posts in the Flame Pit. Everywhere else, we try to remember that kids or grandmas could be reading it. The Flame Pit is open season and you should know that if you choose to go in there.

Again, welcome and please share you thoughts, jokes, links, etc. Fresh voices are always welcome regardless of where you are on the spectrum.

Well I have a thick hide and been around a long time so most things won't offend me. I know who DeadDave is yes but I don't know who you are and if I do figure it out, I would still be careful about exposing that to others.
since I am a Grandma myself, I will try to watch my language t not offend the innocent.
Thanks for the heads up. I am a bit disappointed there isn't more conversation about the conflict with the mayor though. I would like to know if others feel the same as I do. Perhaps I am a bit harsh in my thinking.

Not everyone here is from Aberdeen, and also, it sometimes takes a little time to get a thread going. Many times we have just a single post thread.

Oh good point about not everyone being from Aberdeen. I need to remember that. However, people should be interested in the ethics portion of the equation regardless of where they live. Mr. Simpson has introduced this and it seems the council is not even questioning his back door plan to get this passed. Seems like more of the dummy down effect of society. Instead of making people rise up to follow laws and rules we change them to fit the powers that be at the moment. Makes me question what else the Mayor does that is not on the up and up.

Welcome

Add to the conversation.
Look here

Welcome, selfcentered. It's nice to see a new member jump in with both feet.

So you think Doug is a blithering idiot? Do you ever call in or are you one who just listens? I heard him say this morning that most just listen and only a few call in. In thinking about that I suppose it is accurate. Mostly the same people call in but I like that banter that is generated from those calls. I think Doug is often rude in cutting people off rather than let the caller finish his comment. He also turns things back to himself more often than not. However, I am glad that we have this program and and the ability to call in and give our opinions and voice our concerns.

Welcome, selfcentered! It's great to have a new voice here. Hope you stay around.

Oh, I think some of us are very annoyed at this situation with Simpson...even some of us who don't live in Aberdeen.

As per Doug, I do get annoyed with his kneejerk protectionism of Simpson and a few others and how he'll let some callers babble on forever not saying anything productive, interesting or, quite often, even factually true. Especially Wishkah Judy or Uncle Ivan. Ugh!

But it's his show. When either of those two and a few others are babbling, it's a good time to go put in a load of laundry or something away from the radio for a few minutes.

I'd also call him slow witted, and of all the hosts that have held the job previously he is the worst. The guy rambles on trying form a complete thought, and occasionally he accomplishes his mission.

My view has nothing to do with his politics simply because McDowell doesn't have any. He is a professional fence sitter who lives in bone chilling fear of upsetting the apple cart. If he would take a stand on anything, no matter how nuts, it would be refreshing.

All that aside he's still better than his local competitors who are nothing but a glee club for the status quo. We can complain about McDowell brown nosing Simpson and protecting him on air, but the other guys have specialized in that behavior for years and they never get called on it.

And yes I've called in on occasion however I prefer to just kick back and listen to Wishkah Judy blow her top every morning.

Agreed!

I don't know about slow witted but he often doesn't "get it" when someone has a tongue in cheek sarcastic remark. For the type of show he hosts, he knows little or nothing of what is happening in life except for what interests him. He seems proud of that.
I have to agree about the local competitors though as that is the most monotonous station. Why they keep hiring people with winey voices is beyond me. The new news guy is okay but some of the others are so annoying I just can't listen.
I call in once in awhile to Doug's show but I have to admit I enjoy the banter between Judy, Doug and the older guy named Jim. He clearly doesn't like Doug. I have a cute story about the lady named Arlene though......I was in Rite Aid one day and I heard a woman ask a clerk a question and I knew instantly that it was Arlene as I recognized her voice.

I listen to coffee talk every day but often change to station when it gets bit slow or Judy just wont stop. But in Dougs defense the alternative is no better as has already been said and doing a long live radio show in this area 5 days a weeks, it has got to be very difficult to have something to say. Its not like alot happens every day to fill three hours of air time.

Funny. I've "met" Arlene the same way. Distinctive voice.

I think my main beef with Doug is just that he will let some callers drone on and on, quite often it's the regulars who we hear enough from anyway, imho. While he'll cut others off because he has another caller trying to get in. I've called when some of those regulars are droning on about nothing and he's never cut them off to take my call. (Not saying it's because it's me calling because he doesn't know who's calling as I've been on the show as well and I haven't seen any kind of caller ID.)

Overall, the show provides a great service. Best way to learn about a lot of things going on around here, again imho.