Leigh Dallas knows why I am writing this.
Leigh Dallas has been a member of the Macon County Times staff for around seven years. Her official title is business manager and in that role she is second to none. Over the years, as publisher, I've worked with eight business managers, and as an editor and managing editor in a department head capacity, I've served alongside probably twice that many more.
Leigh is in the top 2 of all business managers I've worked with in any capacity. She has several traits which are important:
But that describes all the business managers I've worked with. What sets her apart is the same thing that makes the other business manager in the top 2:
Someone this week made a false statement about our paper and when they were proven wrong, rather than correcting the information, they ran another smear. Unfortunately, this involved Leigh's participation in this week's edition.
She was upset and her husband was angry and rightfully so. And Managing Editor Brad Gaskins, who worked with her on the story in question, did not reveal any level of frustration - he's about the toughest person I've ever met - I'm sure it had to be there.
Although I did not make the remarks at all, I offer my apology to them, an apology that their teamwork was viewed with such undeserved scorn and contempt for doing the simple task of reporting a story.
Teamwork is the key. The Macon County Times is successful because we work as a tight, close team. Our growth, our stability, our profits, the stories, the superior print and online readership, the many products and services we provide, are all thanks to a team of people who dedicate many hours each week to one simple idea, and that is devoting our efforts and energies to serving Macon County.
This is a team of highly talented people who can perform multiple tasks at the drop of a hat. We all can sell ads and we all can write stories. We can all take photos. We can all lay out pages. Each and every member of our team is capable of performing a multitude of tasks with a high degree of competence.
This gives us the greatest level of resources and flexibility in Macon County media and the simple fact is I would not trade a single member of our team for a single person working at any other media in Macon County.
To the Macon County Times team, I say thank you for your tenacity, your hard work and your dedication. There is only one reason we are the most successful media organization in Macon County and that reason is you - the staff members and stringers of The Macon County Times!
Those that do, AND who believe the trash talk probably don't matter anyway.
I hold a relatively minor and humble public office from which I derive no pay but perform the task for the mere satisfaction of serving our community.
My wife is her own person and DOES NOT do the things she does purely to support or further my cause. She votes her own mind, she makes her own decisions. And she has the luxury to pick and choose what, when and which events she chooses to cover when operating outside her main role with the blessing of her employer and has done so through at least 3 Publishers.
Over the years SHE has written regular columns for the Times, she has covered (we have covered) numerous community newsworthy events and we will continue to do so.
We have absolutely near perfect relationships with all of the businesses and agencies in Macon County and work hard to be positive influences in our community.
I personally have no axe to grind with anyone or any entity in this County but when the party went to the extreme of making insenuations which degrade the character of either my wife or myself I have to take a stand.
The individual whom made the statements in print, is absolutely wrong and I am not afraid to state so.
Do I agree with everything that has gone on in this county over the last few months/years. Absolutely not. Do we need some changes...absolutely.
But I have not and will not stoop to the low level reached by the party. I do believe as the party stated that we both are "quality" people. My wife certainly is.
I know and respect the MC Chronical and their editorial staff, I certainly know and respect the MC Times, I know and respect our local radio station and all other media in the County.
They ALL report the news and in a manner they see fit and I don't have a problem with that as do I think most of our citizens. So long as its fair, objective and factual.
I at one time respected the party for covering some tough and needed issues in our county, not always agreeing with the approach...until this latest "attack" which has now ATTEMPTED to drag us into the mud by Calling us BOTH out by name and suggesting that my wife did what she did SOLELY becasue of me....THAT is an outrage and I dare the party to survey the community OPENLY and see what our fellow citizens think aobut that accusation.
We both have good standig with local elected officials and will continue to demonstrate RESPECT all of our elected officials and support those who have done the best job for our County.
There have been no doubt mistakes, mis-judgements and errors.
Like all good citizens we will exercise our judgement when we VOTE based upon all facts and evidence. NOT based upon "sensationalistic" news.
I trust the rest of Macon Counties good citizens will do the same.
Jesus said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone....."
The party OWES MY wife a public apology for the insuations made.
IF the party has a problem with the MC Times he should persue that and leave my wife LEIGH DALLAS out of it.
Here is my phone number and email....feel free to contact me...anyone.
Tom Dallas, 615-633-6687 and ConstableTN@nctc.com