7:13 p.m.: Anderson catches national attention for mayoral flap

Jessica Kerman

January 05, 2008 05:41 pm

— jessica.kerman@heraldbulletin.com
Dr. Phil wants to resolve Anderson’s problems.
Lisa Patton, public information officer for the city, said a producer from “Dr. Phil,” the nationally syndicated talk show hosted by psychologist Phil McGraw, contacted the city to ask Mayor Kris Ockomon to be on the show, along with former mayor Kevin Smith.
Both Ockomon and Smith said going on the show would not be professional.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to go on television at this point to talk about the litigation in Anderson,” Smith said. “This is a legal matter. We hope to have it settled before a court of law. I think it would be very unprofessional for me to make an appearance on television.”
Smith, however, was talked about on MSNBC on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.” Olbermann featured Smith as the second “Best Person in the Caucused World” on his show Thursday night.
Smith said he did not see the segment on television.
Patton said the city wanted to attract more positive attention to the city of Anderson.
“Yes, we want Anderson to have national attention, but for the right reasons,” Patton said in a written statement. “When we are contacted by celebrity entertainment venues, such as Dr. Phil, to mediate our differences, it’s hard to take the former mayor’s allegation seriously.”