Reporter’s Notebook: Dog eat dog

(Capitol Notes – Graphic Illustration/MetroCreative)

When I covered the dedication of the new murals at the State Capitol Building on West Virginia Day nearly two weeks ago, I did not notice the inclusion of Gov. Jim Justice’s Babydog in one of the murals.

In fact, I wrote a pretty nice story about the dedication event, including positive quotes from Justice and Randall Reid-Smith, the recently renamed cabinet secretary of the Department of Arts, Culture and History. Frankly, I really like the murals and was happy to see them done.

I love history. I’m a former co-captain of my middle school and high school quiz bowl teams. I never did do the Golden Horseshoe test, but I did represent Pleasants County at the state National Geography Bee in Charleston my eighth-grade year. And I love the State Capitol Building and have been pleased to see several projects over the years to bring the Capitol back to the original vision of famed architect Cass Gilbert.

The upper rotunda is supposed to have decorative murals showcasing the state’s history and culture. But the stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression dried up funds for these flourishes and the areas where murals were supposed to be were painted blue. When I was told that the project was being re-started, I was thrilled.

Perhaps my love of history and art blinded me to some of the issues I now know about and have reported about. I certainly didn’t see the governor’s English bulldog painted into a nature scene with Seneca Rocks in the background.

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Some have asked what the big deal is or have pointed out there are more important issues. Let me be clear: it’s not about the dog. The issue was whether proper processes were followed. My job requires me to be an umpire and call balls and strikes. I can think the mural project is good while also point out that approval of the murals did not go through the proper channels, namely the Capitol Building Commission.

The Capitol Building Commission is required to sign off on any substantial changes to the State Capitol Building and the buildings and grounds of the State Capitol Complex. The mural project had been brought before the commission in 2010, but all they did at that time was approve the search for an artist for the project.

The Division of Culture and History (where Reid-Smith was the commissioner at the time) was settling on a company, but the project never happened due to lack of funding and the craziness of 2010 (the death of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, then-governor Joe Manchin running for Byrd’s seat, Senate President Acting as Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, etc.).

But Reid-Smith, using that 2010 vote by the Capitol Building Commission as a blank check, revived the project in 2021 and contracted with the company he wanted for the project 14 years ago. There was no competitive bid process due to an exemption for the purchase of art and historical artifacts. In fact, the Capitol Building Commission was never consulted again, including on the final artist renderings.

It was Reid-Smith, Department of Administration Secretary Mark Scott, the director of the State Museum, and two officials in the Governor’s Office – behind closed doors – who decided to change the murals after the Governor’s Office released artist renderings to the public in April. Many of the changes they recommended made sense. But one of the changes was asking for Babydog to be painted into one of the murals.

Again, the issue isn’t the dog. This is simply another example of lack of transparency and lack of following processes. Is this a story? Yes. Will this have long-term effects? No. People do indeed love Babydog and I suspect those that love this far outnumber those who think it is inappropriate. No one is climbing the upper rotunda with paint thinner and a rag.

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I do want to talk directly to Secretary Reid-Smith, who seems to think I don’t like him or am picking on him. I’m seriously not. I go where the stories are.

Concerns about the new structure of West Virginia Public Broadcasting that puts the Department of Arts, Culture and History more in the drivers’ seat; the purchase of a new Steinway piano to replace the Culture Center’s previous Steinway outside of the Purchasing Division requirements; and now the mural issue are all valid stories.

I think Reid-Smith has done a good job in his time at the previously named Department of Education and the Arts and the renamed Department of Arts, Culture and History. I had a good relationship with him and the department until I started writing these stories. I’ve afforded him opportunities to comment and explain his rationale on all these issues.

For example, I think a story can be told about how some of the rules of the Purchasing Division are too cumbersome. Or perhaps how the Capitol Building Commission is often a hindrance to needed improvements at the Capitol (I used to joke that one could not even cut down a dead and dangerous tree on the grounds without convening the Capitol Building Commission).

But if state government officials do not talk to the press when they think the story will be uncomfortable for them, then they can’t get their side of the story out. It’s easy to say “no comment” or stonewall on a story, then later make passive-aggressive swipes at the media in public settings.

So, if I call seeking a request for an interview, you should grant it. I’m not known for hit jobs or being unfair. I’m pretty reasonable.

In the meantime, it appears that I won’t be made an honorary Knight of the Golden Horseshoe anytime soon.

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com