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The Whole Story about North County Times Reporter Darryn Bennett

May 6, 2008

When I first informed you of our way to deliver the whole story on news media reports, I had no idea we would have so much material so quickly. Sadly, that has happened with another story written by North County Times reporter, Darryn Bennett.

In her story that first appeared on the North County Times web page on Monday, May 5, 2008, reporter Bennett reported on my trip to Washington, D.C. It included talks with people in our capital about preserving Rancho Guejito. Based upon Ms. Bennett’s inaccurate reporting on recent stories about procedures in my office, I declined to be interviewed by Ms. Bennett for her story on my Washington, D.C. trip.

Ms. Bennett wrote the following in her article: “Horn’s spokesman, John Culea, said Monday that Horn would no longer speak with the North County Times because he believes the newspaper’s coverage is biased against him.”

My complaint is with reporter Bennett and not the entire staff of the North County Times. I have great respect and an excellent open working relationship with such North County Times reporters as Dave Downey and Gig Conaughton.

The whole story is that John made it clear to Ms. Bennett in a phone call on May 5, 2008, that based on her misrepresentation of facts and misstatements, she would no longer be granted the courtesy of interviews. To quote John, he said, “For the time being, he (referring to me) is declining to talk with you.” He did not say the North County Times.

As a County Supervisor, I have generally had open and professional relationships with members of the media. The unfortunate, yet needed decision to decline future interviews with Ms. Bennett has happened only once before with a news reporter in my 13 years in office. If you are not reading this on our District 5 web site, here is our web address where you can see more on “The Whole Story” http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/cnty/bos/sup5/