What A Great Story.  Too Bad You’ll Never See It.

UPDATE Thursday July 16, 2009: Fort Gordon’s PAO did sent a press release.  The release was addressed to the wrong email address yesterday…and it was only until the day after did we get confirmation of the story I mentioned below.  It reads as follows:

Mark/Barclay,
Here is what we can say today about the Aiello family situation:
Fort Gordon does owe Cassandra Aiello for part-time respite care
services she has provided for her brother and sister-in-law, a military
family.  She is due payment for May and June, a total of $1350.  Army
Community Services has been working all day to make that happen and the
Garrison Commander says Mrs. Aiello will be paid today.  We have
apologized to Mrs. Aiello for the late payment.  Army Community
Services is checking to see if any other respite care providers are due
back pay.
Now that we are aware of the situation, the military unit, Army
Emergency Relief, the family advocacy branch, housing services and
financial planning personnel are all working to help this family, and
this help will continue as long as it is needed.
Mrs. Aiello and the soldier’s family have been informed of these
actions.

Marla Jones
Public Affairs Office
Dep.PAO/Media Relations
Fort Gordon, GA 30905

From Wednesday July 15, 2009.

Local news departments work for you.  And while we “have” to report the standard fare (shootings, robberies, etc.), we “live” to make a difference.  It’s the ONLY reason I got into this business.  (It sure ain’t the money!).  Almost every day we get a chance to do just that.  And most of the time, you never get to hear about it.  Until now.

A newsroom phone is always ringing.  I swear I hear that thing in my sleep.  A rule of thumb: when somebody in need calls a newsroom, they’ve probably run out of options.  They hope that by sharing their story, someone will take pity on their situation and/or expect the court of public opinion will turn the tide.  We can’t help everyone.  And so you know, most stories you’ll see may be about one person or family - BUT we’re doing it because there’s a lesson in it for all of us.

On Wednesday July 15th 2009, we received a call from a frustrated viewer.  She was ready to be on TV and share a most compelling story.  She works as a home-care professional for military families.  The Army will cover the cost of this service for soldiers with special needs family members.  In this caller’s case, she was personally requested by her brother - who is stationed at Fort Gordon.  Our caller moved her family to Augusta from the midwest to help.  The job, by the way, is perfectly legitimate and troops can request anyone they want - as long as they are qualified.  The caveat is that funds are only paid out for up to few dozen hours per month.  It’s part-time.  But at up to $25/hour, it’s still good supplemental income for a family where both parents work.

Our caller has performed these duties since moving here late last year.  In that time, the Army has failed to pay her on time.  Our caller went months without a dime.  And here’s the kicker:  Fort Gordon admitted to WJBF News Channel 6 it was in the wrong.  I even asked, “Is this a U.S. Army problem…or a Fort Gordon problem?“  The response: “A Fort Gordon problem.“

Our caller is being evicted from her home, despite an admittedly generous grace period from her landlord.  Her credit is ruined.  She tried all the appropriate channels and got nowhere.  In just a couple of hours, after one phone call to Fort Gordon’s press office for a statement, the problem is apparently resolved.

Our caller will be getting her money.  And right now.  I had suggested to the PIO at Fort Gordon that this family was being evicted - perhaps Fort Gordon could help make it right by putting a roof over this family’s head until it’s all straightened out.  I also understand, after a follow-up call from Fort Gordon, that “assistance” would also be made available to this family.

It would make for a compelling television story.  You’ll probably never see it.

Immediately after this was “resolved,“ our caller was hesitant to be on television.  From “put me on TV” to “no thanks” in a flash.  Obviously (or it should be obvious), this is absolutely not an issue.  As I wrote at the top, we “live” to make a difference.  Having a compelling story for TV is a bonus.  Helping our caller was just another great opportunity to make a difference.

I share this experience today because a press release from a government agency addressing this calamity has yet to arrive as promised.  Additionally, I fear that our caller (whose identity needn’t be revealed) was offered this resolution on the premise that this story remain out of the public eye.  I’ll probably never know.  And I’m happy for our caller.  She’s getting what she deserves finally.  It was long overdue.

I’m troubled that dozens of phone calls by our friend went unanswered - but it only took one phone call to Fort Gordon from WJBF to get this fixed.  You should be too.  It’s a shame.  And I think you needed to know that.

If I DO get that promised release from Fort Gordon and/or our caller decides to share her experience publicly - I will certainly update this blog.