by Pat McDonough

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your participation regarding important issues in Annapolis by contacting key legislators from lists that I have supplied. You have definitely created an impact. The Health Care Spanish Language bill is starting to get into some trouble because of your efforts.

Now, the Constellation Energy Group (CEG) Study Commission (House Bill 696) is beginning to generate interest by the legislators based on your latest e-mails.

However, we have a problem. The Sunpaper has decided to practice the censorship of omission. On Thursday, March 19th, a Sunpaper reporter spent the afternoon with me in Annapolis covering the CEG Study Commission. She interviewed me and sat patiently through the entire hearing and questioning period. I later discovered that this reporter had provided extensive information to the Sunpaper about the Constellation bill, the hearing, and the many points contained in the legislation. I was surprised when the Sun story on the Constellation executive bonuses appeared Friday, March 20th and not a word was written about Delegate McDonough, the legislation, or the demand for the resignation of Mayo Shattuck. It should be noted that the reporter confirmed to me that she had submitted all of her material. Another reporter, Hannah Cho, the senior journalist who wrote the story, failed to use any of the facts that were presented.

This is not the first time that this type of tactic has occurred with the Sun. They seem to have a record of purposely snubbing my participation with issues, no matter how important. I could speculate that the real agenda here might be that I am a conservative and a Republican. I would hope that that is not the case. Should you believe that the Sun has engaged in misleading or incomplete reporting about this issue, I feel that it is important that you provide your opinion to the right people. As always, I attempt to direct you to the key people involved so that your opinion hits the target. I would suggest that you contact the following two individuals at the Sun to express your thoughts on this matter.

The Reporter: Hanah Cho at E-mail: Hanah.cho@baltsun.com

The Editor: Trif Alatzas at E-mail: Trif.alatzas@baltsun.com

Again, thank you for your participation and efforts.

Del. Pat McDonough

YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING TALKING POINTS:

The Sun reporter, Hanah Cho, wrote two major front page stories on Constellation Energy Friday and Saturday containing thousands of words. Despite the hard work by her associate reporter, Julie Bykowitz, related to Delegate McDonough’s news conference, none of her report appeared in Cho’s story.

State Senator James Rosapepe, a liberal Democrat from Montgomery County, was quoted frequently throughout the report. Senator Rosapepe has not asked for the resignation of Mr. Shattuck or created any legislation about Constellation management. Rosapepe did not hold a news conference about the bonuses. It seemed a bit odd that he would be mentioned so frequently in the Sun article.

Delegate McDonough’s news conference was covered by many other newspapers and all 4 major television stations. The news conference was the lead story on television.

Delegate McDonough is the only elected official who has called for the removal of Shattuck and seriously questioned the executive leadership at Constellation.

Delegate McDonough handed out a news release to the Sun and other media outlets containing 20 key questions about Constellation.

There is no question the major media considered the McDonough news conference important and newsworthy. They all were in attendance and reported the story in a balanced and professional manner. None of them reported anything about Senator Rosapepe or his opinions.

Either the Sun is engaged in obvious biased reporting by snubbing Delegate McDonough or they lack the professional rigor to report all facts related to a story.

I hope this information is helpful. Once again, thank you very much.

For more information & interview, contact Delegate Pat McDonough at 410-238-0025 or PatMcDee@comcast.net.