I follow the governor up a few steps onto a stage. The next thirty minutes evaporate, and I find myself being shuttled along with the same group of people, including the governor, from the smaller room to a larger one cluttered with cameras, boom microphones, and members of the media. “The governor wants you to stand behind him at the press conference.” “Are you good with it?” the staffer says. All I see is a jumble of words, a blotch of letters swimming on a white page. I open the binder and glance at the typed statement. When I blink, confused, he adds, “The statement.” “Do you want to look it over?” the staffer asks. “Okay,” I say, still trying to grasp what is happening. The governor wants you to read it at the press conference. “Congratulations,” he says, looking down at the binder. He nods and presses a dark-colored binder into my hands. “When we get in there with the media, I’ll basically repeat what I just said, and then I’ll introduce you.”Ī member of the governor’s staff materializes in front of me. I would bet he hasn’t had much sleep lately-like the rest of us. He seems on edge, almost as if he’s about to burst. “The colonel and I believe you’re the guy for the job.”
Within seconds, I find myself swept up into a group of people I don’t know, and then I’m face-to-face with the governor. He thanks the members of law enforcement and emphasizes the need for understanding and healing in Ferguson. I want to say something else to him, but no words come. I suppose if our roles were reversed, I wouldn’t believe him, either. He stiffens and his stare bores right through me-and then he turns away. I turn to him and read his expression-a mixture of shock and anger. It suddenly occurs to me that not only am I now in charge, but I have also just replaced Jon Belmar, who is standing right next to me. I feel my pulse rocket and my mouth go dry. I had no inkling, no insight, no warning. That’s why today I’m announcing that the Missouri Highway Patrol, under the supervision of Captain Ron Johnson, who grew up in this area, will be directing the team that provides security in Ferguson.” 1 In order for that important process of healing and reconciliation to begin, we need to address some very immediate challenges. “Literally, the eyes of our nation and the world are on us. He speaks so quickly now that he doesn’t appear to breathe. The governor peers at the paper in front of him and then looks up. But lately, it’s looked a little bit more like a war zone. This is a place where people work, go to school, raise their families, and go to church-a diverse community, a Missouri community. “What’s gone on here over the last few days is not what Missouri’s about. I shift my weight and try to focus on the words in the governor’s blistering delivery. “Over the past several days, we have all been deeply troubled by this crisis, as the pain of last weekend’s tragedy has been compounded by days of grief and nights of conflict and fear.” He rifles through some papers, pauses to gather himself, and then speaks rapidly. “I don’t know what that means.”Īfter another brief, awkward silence between us, we turn our attention to Governor Jay Nixon-tall, white-haired, and distinguished-looking, but appearing anxious or even nervous-who stations himself at the front of the room. “I just heard he’s going to make some changes,” I say. “What’s he going to say? What do you hear?” I drift into the smaller room and see Jon Belmar standing by himself. Clearly the governor’s staff has spread the word that he will be making a major announcement, because members of the national and local media jam into a larger connecting room where the governor will hold the actual press conference.
We meet in a small community room at the University of Missouri, St. We’re the only agency the governor leads.” ”īret gives me the time and place for the governor’s press conference. “The colonel will be there, and he wants all of us there, too.”
Captain ron johnson software#
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