Bad Gasoline Isn't the Only Problem

Note: This post does not reflect the opinion of KOB-TV, of its managers, nor of its owner.

It was a mistake that affected hundreds of drivers. But the company behind the contaminated fuel (Western Refining) continues to make blunders during the fall-out.

So far, nobody at Western Refining has appeared ON CAMERA and apologized to the hundreds of drivers who've been forced to dig into their wallets to fix their vehicles.

Western Refining has not released a specific phone number to the press for drivers to call for reimbursements (Drivers have been forced to go back to the gas station that sold them the bad gas to get a phone number).

Western Refining failed to send out one press release about it's tainted fuel (yet on its website it has a "News" section with "articles" about its high profits).

It's not my job as a reporter to give PR lessons to companies. But when the company starts complaining about bad press to one of my co-workers, I have to step in and explain how common sense works.

Instead of reacting to the news, Western Refining should have become more proactive.

Here's what the company should have done immediately, in the best interest of drivers:

1) Hold a press conference. Have someone apologize ON CAMERA to the drivers who were
affected.

2) Release a list of gas stations that were affected. (Don't make excuses on why you can't
release a list).

3) Send out press releases (at least two a day) updating the public on what happened.

4) Set up a temporary website and 800-number for drivers to connect to.

5) And finally, don't complain about negative press when your company is responsible for a mistake that affected hundreds of people and their finances.

Western Refining obviously doesn't have any clue how to deal with a disaster involving its product. Hopefully, for the many drivers out there who've been forced to deal with the company's mistake, things will get back to normal soon.

If any of you have any questions about the bad-gasoline story, feel free to email me at jeremy.jojola@gmail.com or jjojola@kobtv.com.

This Time I Wasn't Working....

As a reporter of KOB-TV, I've been on almost every road, every highway in this state. Okay...that's an exaggeration...but it's close. I can say I've been through all 33 counties in the state while covering news stories for the station.

This past weekend I drove through southern New Mexico for the first time in years as a tourist--rather than a reporter. I actually had time to soak in the view without worrying about satellite feeds, deadlines and interviews.

On Saturday, I walked through the caves in Carlsbad and I was awe of how nature can create such marvels. The next day I walked upon the dunes in White Sands which was also spectacular and impressive.

I realized how great, beautiful, and valuable southern New Mexico is. I fell in love with this part of the state when I went to New Mexico State---but taking the time to really enjoy the attractions here was well worth the gas money and time.

Thinking About Chimayó

This morning during a meeting in the newsroom I volunteered to cover the annual pilgrimage to Chimayo, hoping no other reporter already had the assignment. Thankfully I got my wish and I'll be reporting live from Chimayo for the second time this year.

I can't say enough nor can I find the right words to express my regard and deep affection for the Santuario de Chimayo. I can only say when I visit the site, even under the guise of a stoic reporter, I feel I'm stepping into all that is New Mexico--an impossible place and aura to define, sort of like a soul.

Several years ago my father and I made the trek on foot from Santa Fe. We left at three in the afternoon and arrived at the church at one-thirty in the morning quite tired and cold. We slept in the church among the other pilgrims who appeared just as worn-out and exhausted as we felt. My feet ached and my father was also in quite a bit of pain. But sleeping in the holy place was like medicine and a blanket--I'll never forget it.

As a reporter I'll go to Chimayo looking for interviews with pilgrims. Out of the hundreds of stories that I have filed in the past, the stories pilgrims tell are the most touching for me.
I like to listen to the people who walk for their brother who has cancer, their sister who is in Iraq or a son walking for their father who passed-on. Everyone who walks has a story, a reason why they are there--be it for spiritual reasons or just to watch the spectacle of thousands of people flooding small little church.

And of course, I look forward to getting a sample of the holy dirt when I go. You can never leave Chimayo without taking some with you.

The Strange News "Tips" I get

I love my job. One of the things I love doing the most is checking voicemail. It sounds boring, but this isn't you're typical voice mail.

I manage a tip-line for the station (505-764-2550). The station runs repeated promos for the tip-line on air. Over the course of the day, thousands of viewers see this number.

I check the messages every morning and then again in the afternoon considering I get a HUGE amount of phone calls. Sometimes messages can get quiet strange, funny, and threatening.

I have one person who I call "The Heavy Breather" leave repeated unintelligible rants about his diabetes on the tip line. It often sounds like the "Breather" likes to leave his "tips" after a marathon run or a struggle up a flight of stairs. This caller never leaves a number.

Recently, another caller left me a message about a tuna fish running around and going to the bathroom. I suspect drug use on that one. The caller ended the message by mixing in a four-letter word with my last name.

And then there are the drunks. People who sound like they're speaking in slow motion, giving me sordid details about their promiscuous ex-girlfriends and "worthless" husbands.

I've also received calls that sound threatening. One man called, claiming "three people will be dead" by the end of the day after "paying our station a visit."

Another woman called saying I was "nosy" and "going to get hurt" if I didn't stop "getting up in someone else's business."

But out of all the bizarre, strange calls, I get those nuggets of vital information. Great tips from people who have faith in our role as government watchdogs.

Time to check the voice mail......

When Reporters get Attacked

Since my report on the illegal dumper who attacked us with his truck (see video here), I've been asked by a lot of viewers about what's going to happen with the criminal case.

Next week I'll be testifying before the Grand Jury about how Eric Beyer rammed his vehicle into our news unit. This testimony could lead to an indictment against him.

That got me thinking about how often journalists are attacked while doing their jobs. I did a search on YouTube.com and found numerous examples. It happens all the time, sometimes on live television.

Revoked!

On Wednesday, a report of mine aired regarding convicted drunk drivers getting caught behind the wheel with revoked licenses. You can check out the full report here.

Often I'm asked by viewers how I find certain stories or how I come up with ideas for my investigative pieces. Most of the time it is stuff that I observe or come across when doing another story.

This story is another example. I was in court not long ago watching a man appear before a judge for a revoked license charge (I was there for a different case) . I found it strange that he was in court by himself, and not with anyone who would have given him a ride to his court appearance.

I followed him out the courthouse--and sure enough the guy jumped into his vehicle. I ran his plates, checked his background, and found he had several DWI convictions and a revoked license because of those convictions.

I figured this is an example of how people scoff at the law so badly,they're willing to break the law even minutes after speaking to a judge. In my report, you can see three of these guys getting caught by our cameras.

It's obvious for some people, the law doesn't matter or they just don't care.