"Q: Did the Board vote to change the Museum's name?
"A: The Museum has been discussing a potential name and graphics change for the past 10 years. Market research has been and is currently being conducted. As we move toward our Centennial, the Board is reviewing the Museum's identity and how it relates to where the institution is going over the next 100 years. A decision has not been made on the total identity package, which includes names, colors, logo and slogan. Next year, we'll be celebrating our Centennial, so it's appropriate that we are looking at these issues at this time.We've also recently added space science as a new focus for the Museum, so the Board wants to make sure that the name continues to communicate all that the institution is today and will be in the future.
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"Q: I heard the Board voted to change the name to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Is that true?
"A: At the October 27 board meeting, the Board reviewed the research and voted to continue on with this process of evaluating the Museum's identity. They approved a modification of the Museum's name to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science,but this is contingent upon decisions made regarding a potential new logo, colors and slogan for the Museum at an upcoming Board meeting, which could be as soon as January. Once they have decided on each of these four elements, then they will vote on the entire brand identity package. So, yes, they're recommending a modified name, but no, a final decision has not yet been made.
"Q: Is this public knowledge now?
"A: It's important to keep this information confidential as a decision has not been made on the total identity package. To ensure the story is told in context of our potential name modification, logo, colors and slogan -- and our strategic plan -- it is important that it not be discussed publicly prior to a final decision. Also, once the Board approves a new identity for the Museum, we want to make a big announcement in order to create excitement in the community.
"Q: What happens if it 'gets out' anyway?
"A: There is a plan in place in case the media or general public learn of this before the announcement. Senior staff will receive a copy of this plan by November 5. Please see your senior staff member if you have questions or concerns about this particular issue. Please direct all calls from the media to ..."
I called the spokeswoman listed on the sheet. After initially saying she hadn't heard of a proposed name change, she called back and recited the answer to Question #2 -- almost verbatim, complete with double emphasis on thatbut.
Talking Can Be Hazardous to Your Health!
Yes, talk is cheap. In fact, outraged public employees often exercise true free speech -- a real democratic bargain. Here's another example, this one a memo volunteered by a peeved Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment employee. The subject was "press contacts," and it was sent to staffers on October 14 by Doug Benevento, the department's new director of environmental programs:
"There has been another instance of a Division communicating with the press without prior consultation with Cindy Parmenter, myself, or Pat Teegarden. As a result the Executive Director and senior staff found out about a departmental action on television... Because this appears to be a reoccurring problem, it's my feeling that we need to have a zero tolerance policy with respect to non-authorized dealings with the press."
That's a public official talking. About talking with the public.
And in doing so, he inadvertently provided the answer to DA Hall's final question. Since journalists can't agree on a single code of ethics, the prosecutor asked, shouldn't the state do it for them?
This state?
How embarrassing.
