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Sunday, March 23, 2014

My Sincere Apology

Today I published a story stating Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan would be resigning come June 30th, I am wrong.

I appreciate ALL of my sources. I believe in them and I trust them. In this case with this particular source, I still do. Allow me to explain.

In a conversation between my source and Barbara Duncan they had asked how she was doing and continued a conversation between each other. Ivan Barkley was present but at a distance. Mrs. Duncan stated, "I'm pulling the plug". My source said, no, you can't do that. She replied, "30, June".

While I'll admit that my source doesn't have the greatest hearing, they certainly aren't deaf. HOWEVER, after MUCH discussion today and tonight, could she have said, IVAN'S PULLING THE PLUG, that's very possible.

That being said, I'll take this opportunity to apologize to Chief Barbara Duncan and ask for her forgiveness? I want to also apologize to our Viewers and ask the same, please forgive me?

In light of Jim Ireton's track record with female employees it seemed very credible that another woman would be jumping ship. 

Nevertheless, even though my source believed their conversation was a one on one discussion about their personal lives, I'll take the heat on this one and assume Mrs. Duncan stated Ivan instead of I'm. 

I'm very sorry Folks. 

In closing, I DID make an attempt to contact Chief Barbara Duncan this morning but she did not answer and or return my call. She has been instructed by Mayor Ireton to not answer any of my phone calls, therefore I could not get her side of the story. The image of proof is above. 

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am glad that you were wrong. It would be a shame to lose her. I you would never see a correction like this in the daily paper.. I do wish that the mayor would stop trying to force his political agenda on her and let her and her officers do their jobs without his ridiculous roadblocks. Thank you Chief, for your service. Thank you, Joe, for correcting your post.

Anonymous said...

I am glad she isn't leaving. You are a man of you word and admit your mistakes. A man of honor and humbleness. You set an example that a lot bod us could learn from.aThank you for the correction.

Anonymous said...

Well said..although not everyone will always agree or disagree with ones opinion...its good to know that when someone who (at this point) is responsible with delivering credible news/information can own up to a mistake and take responsibility...

Anonymous said...

She is probably a good lady , however ,I expect more from this position than I've seen during her service.

Anonymous said...

Not the end of the world. I still believe Ireton's command and control @ SPD will have an effect on her. Is she the chief or is Ireton? Any contact to SPD has to go through the mayor?
If she doesn't quit, I'll begin to worry about her.


Anonymous said...

I am glad you were wrong, we need this chief to stay!! But thank you for admitting it.

Anonymous said...

Kudos -- but please note how the rush to publish can have negative consequences.

As the saying goes: "trust but verify"!

And many thanks for all the real news you present that never appears in the Daily Times or local broadcast media.

Anonymous said...

The Chief who replaced "Chiefy" knows that that after next year Jake Day will be Mayor.

Anonymous said...

It's still a shame that Mayor Jimmy-boy(girl) has such orders in place to prevent her from contacting (or accepting contact from) you.

Truly micromanagement she does not merit....

Anonymous said...

It takes a big man to admit they made a mistake. Thank you. It's refreshing. Of course I have come to expect that from you.

Anonymous said...

It takes a big man to admit when he is wrong. Thanks for reminding us that integrity in journalism is really not that hard to accomplish.

Anonymous said...

This happens all the time in journalism. Corrections are made. In this case it wasn't a bad thing because the Chief got to see how fond of her people are.

Anonymous said...

Nobody is perfect Joe, we all make mistakes. It's admitting the mistake and moving on that is most important. I for one am very glad that Chief Duncan is staying and wish only the best for Ivan Barkley's retirement, he earned it. I'm sure if you could have contacted her to confirm it you would have, given that all questions must go through the mayor is a road block to do such.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Joe for coming forth and correcting your mistake, something you do not see other media doing. Anyway, glad she is not going anywhere right now, however, if Ireton doesn't quit managing her and her office, she just might do what you said and really leave. We know he doesn't like women so wish he would just go on over to Rehoboth and stay there.

Anonymous said...

If Jim Ireton would stop micromanaging her department she could really get something done. Chief, I have been a big fan, but I am starting to see you become almost timid. It's no wonder given how I've seen Ireton treat you. However, stand for what's right. Stand up for the public you serve. You know what to do and have the knowledge and backbone to do it. Please don't let our city sink farther than it already has. Do the right thing every time, even if it makes our petty child angry. He is your boss, but sacrificing your integrity isn't worth a job. We will stand up for you! When and if Salisbury sinks deeper into this spiral of decline, and if, Heaven help us, Jake Day becomes mayor, will his cousin become police chief?

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Joe, for the apology. I would have been disappointed if you hadn't.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Chief Duncan is staying. That being said, it saddens, nay, it breaks my heart knowing that Cpl. Lee Stevens will not have the opportunity to lead the fine officers of the SPD from the top. Cpl. Stevens would have done an excellent job. It is however a blessing for WCSO that he is staying on board with them. I am sure all the fine deputies and the administration is relieved Cpl. Stevens will be staying. Although, I guess there still is a chance of him being Sheriff of Somerset. That would be a true blessing indeed. Cpl. Stevens, rest easy sir. Your time to shine will come. Thank you to all for the support of this fine man, Cpl. Stevens, or as his friends call him, Lee. We love you man. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Ivan Barkley for Mayor!!!!

Anonymous said...

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012

Did Mayor Jim Ireton Make The Call, You Decide?

you better believe there's more to this. I'm leaving THAT in the hands of my attorneys. I told you guys the other day that a very powerful political attorney out of Baltimore called me and let me know he'd ba happy to take on my case pro bono.

PERHAPS IT IS TIME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THIS LAWYER AGAIN, IF SHE DOES NOT RETURN YOUR PHONE CALLS BECAUSE OF IRETON.

Anonymous said...

Joe something is fishy with this I bet you a $1 the. Mayor knows she was leaving and. Now will beg her to stay bc, they Don't want to be Embarressed???

Anonymous said...

Ivan for Mayor, indeed!

Anonymous said...

Who is this Lee Stevens dude? Is he someone I should have heard of before. Well, I haven't so he can't be that important.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see the following:

1) Honesty and accountability in journalism
2) Barbara Duncan is not leaving us
3) All the compliments that the citizens have for her; she has truly earned them
4) Our crime rate declining, and new equipment for our officers.

Sometimes even a screw-up can have a positive outcome not expected!

Anonymous said...

So glad Duncan is staying.
"With that being said" if another MSM had made this mistake you would run them in the ground for days!
Everyone makes mistakes...even the almighty Joe Albero!
Learn from this, don't trust anything you hear, until you take the time to confirm the facts. Shame on you for spreading a nasty rumor, without knowing its true.