OPINION|
I'm going to tell this story even though I don't think it portrays the real me in a favorable light.
Like most people, I like to think of myself as observant and smart, or at least not clueless and dumb.
In writing this, like a good defense lawyer, I will plant reasonable doubt. I will create places where you, the reader/ juror, might nod and hopefully think: “You know, that's not really so dumb when you think about it.”
For weeks, staffers here at the Hauxeda were getting internal messages reminding us about an upcoming event the Daily Citizen and Community Foundation of the Ozarks were sponsoring at 4 p.m. (when doors would open) on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Jay Wasson Idea Loft in MSU's efactory at 405 N. Jefferson Ave.
My boss, CEO David Stoeffler, would be talking to Winter Kinne, new president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. She has replaced Brian Fogle. Kinne would be answering questions from David and others.
The truth is I never paid much attention to the details of this event, but that's only because I never expected I would attend.
I was on the Missouri State University presidential search beat. The third and final candidate to become MSU's next president, Roger Thompson, on Feb. 28 would make public comments 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at MSU's West Plains campus. I planned to be there.
Like the other two finalists before him, Thompson would then mosey over to the large first-floor parlor at Kellett Hall, where the chancellor's office is located, for a meet-and-greet starting at 2:45 p.m.
For the prior two candidates, I attended the meet-and-greet and then took the more scenic route home — Highway 14 — and made it home to Springfield at about 6 p.m.
So that's why, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I paid no attention whatsoever to our event at 4 p.m. Feb. 28. I did not register to attend because I knew I wouldn't be there. I paid little attention to where it was at.
If I can't ask a question, why stick around?
Here's where the plot twists.
As I was leaving Looney Hall in West Plains, after attending Thompson's one-hour session, where I was able to ask a question, I found myself walking out with Dennis Lancaster, chancellor, and Dakota Bates, associate vice chancellor for university communications at MSU-West Plains.
I was about to go to the meet-and-greet, but I took this serendipitous opportunity to discuss something that had happened on Monday, earlier in the week, at the meet-and-greet for John Jasinski, MSU provost and in-house candidate to be the next MSU president.
On Monday, March 4, the MSU Board of Governors selected Richard “Biff” Williams, former president of Utah Tech, who starts July 1.
I had asked a Jasinski a question at the parlor gathering in West Plains that week, and he had just commenced to answer when Bates grabbed him by the shoulder and told Jasinski he was needed to sign some papers.
Jasinski left and, to my surprise, did not return. He exited via a backdoor.
It was clear to me Bates had interrupted to prevent Jasinski from talking to me.
So I asked Lancaster and Bates if I went over to to the parlor and asked Thompson a question, will he also be hustled away to “sign some papers?”
I told Bates I didn't appreciate how it was handled with Jasinski because never was I informed I could not ask questions of the candidates at the West Plains meet-and-greet.
Just following orders, they told me. They explained it would be unfair if one and only one reporter got to ask questions at the meet-and-greet. They had to be fair to other media.
I pointed out that there was no other media present. If it was important to them, they would have been here. I had driven 110 miles.
You're not being “fair,” I told them, you're punishing initiative.
I also pointed out that Jasinski had been holding court Monday — he was standing up and answering questions from people who sat in a semi-circle before him.
I asked them: “So I'm the only person in that room not allowed to ask a question because I'm a reporter?”
Yes, they said. Just following orders.
A big deal with an open bar!
As a result, I did not attend the meet-and-greet for Roger Thompson, which meant that if I hustled, I could make it to the Hauxeda event with Winter Kinne.
For some reason, I thought the event was at the Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis St.
All I can say, ladies and gentlemen, is that in one moment I was LASER-focused on Roger Thompson and the MSU presidential search, and in the next moment I'm in my car on a beautiful day listening to music via Pandora and heading to the Old Glass Place.
I did not check my phone to see prior messages. I was using my phone to play Pandora.
Not really so dumb when you think about it — right?
Driving with speed, precision and purpose — like anyone would drive an IndyCar
I arrived at 4:20 p.m. and someone was blocking entry to the parking lot next to the Old Glass Place. I was directed to a lot across the street.
Wow! This was a bigger deal than I thought.
I parked and then walked with great purpose to the Old Glass Place. Why was I walking with great purpose?
No, not because I feared I was late.
I was walking with great purposed because I'd been in the car for an hour and 45 minutes and I desperately had to pee.
Two women sat near the entrance. I immediately explained I was not registered because I didn't think I'd be able to attend. I told tell them I was Steve Pokin with the Hauxeda. I said this because I believed the Daily Citizen was the sponsor of the event.
One of the women looked at me and said, “You're Pokin Around. Go on in.”
A lanyard I never looked at
They gave me a lanyard that I threw around my neck without looking at it.
I'm sure you're asking yourself if a reasonable person would have looked at the photo at the end of the lanyard?
I did not. In that moment — in that state of mind — I was not a reasonable person. I was a person in need of finding the men's room.
So that's what happened; I took care of Priority, let's say, No. 1.
I was surprised not to see Stoeffler or any of my other co-workers. In fact, there weren't many people there at all.
I went to the bar to buy a beer. I pulled out my wallet and the bartender stopped me: “It's open bar.”
First, this was great. I had no idea the Daily Citizen was doing this well.
Second, it was deeply concerning.
What would donors think? Should a nonprofit like the Hauxeda even have an “open bar” at a community event?
An oddity: centerpiece with racing flags
I asked an employee what time the event starts. He said the doors just opened.
Wow! Not only did I make the event, I was early. I nodded to Brent Dunn, MSU's vice president for university advancement. He was at a table, talking on his cell phone.
I claimed a table. Like all the other tables, it had a centerpiece with two checkered flags, like the ones you see at car races. This was odd.
I wondered: What don't I know about Winter Kinne?
Another oddity to me was that it appeared people were lining up. Apparently they were going to have their photo taken with someone? Winter Kinne?
Did people pay for these photos? Did this make money? If so, why did Brian Fogle never think of this?
Then, on a big screen I saw a photo of Danica Patrick, former professional race car driver.
Hmm. I remembered reading somewhere she was coming to Springfield.
It was not until then that I looked at the photo dangling at the end of my lanyard. There she was again: Danica Patrick. “An Evening With Danica Patrick.” Sponsored by the MSU Foundation.
I was at the wrong event.
Two racing fans joined me at my table. They told me they paid $150 apiece to attend.
My God! I thought. Brent Dunn will have me arrested.
I left — avoiding eye contact with MSU President Clif Smart — got in my car and fled at high speed, just like Danica.
It could have happened to anybody — right?
This is Pokin Around column No. 167.
