Today’s e-mail brought one of the more unusual missives I’ve received in my decade at the LSJ. It was courtesy of Eaton County Sheriff Mike Raines.
And it stemmed from the LSJ story today about Raines’ views on congressional visits to Eaton County. But the e-mail didn’t concern the text. No, the sheriff’s concern was photographic.
Though I have nothing to do with news coverage, Raines copied me in on a note to Executive Editor Mickey Hirten. It reads: “Dear Mr. Hirten and Mr. Melot,
“That’s a nice photo you used, but I would like to ask that the LSJ please show respect for the office of the Sheriff and use the attached uniformed photo whenever the Office of the Sheriff or Sheriff Mike Raines are referenced.
“I am Sheriff first and foremost, with 33 years of service to the citizens of Eaton County at our Sheriff’s Office. Please use the attached photo in all future LSJ articles with reference to the Sheriff or the Office of the Sheriff.
“If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact me at (517) 543-5006. I will return your call after I return to the office. Thank you.
“Sincerely, Sheriff Mike Raines”
The photo in question is what we term in the biz a “mug shot” — a closely cropped, small pic of a person’s face. In this case, the photo was cropped from a larger image of Raines, dressed in a suit, presenting an award to outgoing Delta Supervisor Joe Drolett on May 18 of this year. It’s the most recent pic of Raines in the LSJ photo archive, which is why I’m sure our news editors used it.
It seems a fine picture. The only thing I can figure out from Raines’ reference to “respect” is that he is not in uniform and, apparently, wants always to be shown in such when appearing in the LSJ.
O-kay.
Below, I have reproduced the Raines-Drolett image, the image that Raines sent with his note today and a couple of other representative pics from the 12 in our digital archive for him. Of those 12 pics, Raines is seen in uniform in five, including his “official” photo.
This leaves me with a question. If it is proper respect for the LSJ to present only a uniformed Raines to the public, doesn’t it track that Raines should always, you know, be in uniform when he’s acting in his official capacity as sheriff?
I don’t care. I doubt the residents of Eaton County care. But Mr. Raines sure does care.
