Posted by kelly_41_2000 on July 22, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a hassle.It sounds so wrong.But just the same the night wasnt actually ruined as the writer said.She still had time with her daughter and nothing can be better for a parent.

Posted by achick47 on July 22, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Personally I would have named the motel/hotel so others could be aware not to use or recommend it. We have out of town guest often and will use only the ones off I 20 from now on. By the way most locals don't drink and distroy, so why accuse us all of this manager of a biased profileing motel/hotel? You don't want our business then you don't need anyones business. Who will pay your bills when gas is to high for travelers and only in town staycationers are left?

Posted by dr__dawggy on July 22, 2008 at 6:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with achick..Leah should have named the hotel. I would not want for all hotels on I 20 to be falsely blamed for one hotel's policies.

Posted by Ranchero on July 22, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Talk about discrimination... I doubt this was a corporate policy, just some local manager trying to exert his/her power. Give us the name of the hotel and we will be sure to live up to their narrow minded, bigoted, perception of local people. They are in the "service" industry, what kind of attitude is that to have. Call the corporate HQ and complain!!!

Posted by apricottx on July 22, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Leah may have named the hotel and the ARN took it out. I say this because I had written a letter and named some businesses and they changed my letter to take out the names.

Embassy Suites will let locals stay and there are many other hotels here that will. What a shame that their night out was ruined. And it was, it is not a fun time together when everyone is upset over they way they were treated.

Posted by donnavan on July 22, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would have liked to know just exactly what would have constituted a local, for instance could you have been from Merkel and considered a non local? Strange way to do business, please name the hotel I will not want to stay there when I come to Abilene for a visit. A former local.

Posted by robertwp on July 22, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There is obviously more to this story. The manager had either overbooked and was turning away locals or didn't like the way that this lady and her daughter looked for one reason or another. Either way, the manager has the right to refuse service. That is just the way it goes. If a hospital can turn away patients then a motel certainly can turn away lodgers. I don't see how you can run a hotel for very long if that is the way that you treat your local customers. I think that the hotel should have been named so that the readers on the post could all give that manager a call. Maybe we could all ask him if he has Prince Albert in a can. Personally, I think that he should have all of his towels stolen.

Posted by morningstar1213 on July 22, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I did not know that the manager has the right to refuse service for no valid reason. Even so, I have never heard of a more pathetic excuse for a business person! I also would love to know the name of the hotel.

Posted by whatuthink on July 22, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have stayed at Elegante and the Courtyard. Both times were for my Daughter's sleepover Birthday parties. At the Elegante they even helped me hang decorations. In Dallas the Hyatt and Hilton have party packages pizza, cokes, and a in room movie.

Posted by ew.chambless on July 22, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Typical rubbish, let's apply an idiotic policy to everyone because of the actions of a few. It must be so difficult to refuse repeat service to the person's responsible. Name them and I'll bet every reader in the local area will make reservations so we can show up and be denied. Maybe when they have an empty hotel and start losing some money they'll get the hint.

Posted by curleyq on July 22, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fairfield Inn is one that will not let locals stay. I live in Merkel, and they considered me a local and refused service. Said sorry, but that is the rule. Stated the same thing as above, that the locals have rented and partied and trashed the place... so they said sorry, and hung up the phone.

Posted by up_in_here on July 22, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the Lamplighter Inn rents rooms locally.

Posted by mommakelly_64 on July 22, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm really sorry for your daughter being hurt by an insensitive jerk. I have used the Elegante and Regency for birthday/swim parties and they have been very courteous. Hope you get to try again with one of them and have a great time!

Posted by blahblah on July 22, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

donnavan --- this probably wouldn't be in Merkel. Most of the guests at the hotels/ motels in Merkel ARE in fact residents of Merkel. Hahaha.

What a sad, situation! I also have tried to stay at a motel in Abilene (when my A/C went out) and there were 2 I went through that wouldn't let me stay (because I was a local).

One in fact...was on I-20 (Holiday Inn)

Posted by apricottx on July 22, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DOH!! I realized I listed Embassy Suites, which is now Elegante. Anyway, Leah, if you read the posts, please let us know in this venue which hotel refused you a room.. I would like to call and inquire about this practice.

Posted by Orphan_of_Empyr on July 22, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Denial of service to local residents by motels is pretty common back east. Sorry to see it coming this way. The places I know about use the zip code on your driver's license or credit card. It is set for about fifty miles or so-- if your A/C goes out, it might be time for an impromptu trip to Dallas or San Antonio.

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi this is Leah. Actually the Reporter News couldn't publish my letter if I named the hotel. But if anyone would like to read my blog it's listed there at justme-leah.blogspot.com.

Kelly - You're right my daughter and I did go on to have a great time the next night. We did have to travel away from home. And I am fine with that now as we happened upon the Peach Festival in Weatherford and had a fantastic time. But that night was ruined and it was hard to explain to a small child why. She just didn't understand. And I did let my emotion get to the best of me. We did go to the Mall and out to dinner which helped. The whole time she kept asking but we can't go to the hotel? And it's sad to say - she has to learn disappointment. It would just have been nice for her not to learn it in such a rude way on such a special day for her.

And whether it's common practice or not elsewhere, I don't think it's right. I do understand that businesses have bad customers. We have our own business and have had a few as well. But we also bend over backwards to help our customers. It's what business is all about. So perhaps that is why I especially take offense to this. But it's also a matter of just how rude and ridiculous the whole situation is. They could have canceled my reservation so we didn't waste our time. I would still have been frustrated but nearly as angry enough to now make it my mission to tell the world about this hotel.

Actually McM Elegante has donated hotel rooms as door prizes for our local MOPS Group and Mothers of Multiples as well. And I know tons of people who go to local hotels on Valentine's Day and their anniversaries. We've been to the McM Elegante and the Regency. The owner of the hotel on I20 made a poor choice. A simple rule - like we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone would make more sense. It was obvious my young daughter and I were there to scrapbook.

Posted by weeman on July 22, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thats very ..comforting.. to know Leah. thanks ! ;)

Posted by littleknownfact on July 22, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can you post the whole address to the blog? I'm not getting there with what's written.

Posted by robertwp on July 22, 2008 at 12:43 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just spoke with the Corporate Office of the hotel as it's been more than 7 days and they hadn't responded to my complaint. They said the hotel manager/owner said responded to my complaint that he said I could stay there after I was rude and that is simply not true. I was angry and I was trying to make a point and get the owner to see reason, but I was not screaming or calling anyone names. People who know me know how ridiculous that is.

I said one curse word when I said this is s**t and instantly apologized.

I called the reservations # from my car to make sure my card wasn't charged and they spoke to him and then said I could stay there. At that point I wouldn't. He only was relenting because I called the Corporate Office. He is lying which makes me even more angry.

If they have video cameras of their front desk like so many hotels do for security reasons I'd be happy to sign a release because I know what I did and did not do.

He also told them he mailed me an apology letter on 7/18. That was Friday. I still haven't received it today. Someone from the local hotel did call my home on the 17th. I didn't answer and they didn't leave a message.

At this point I would never recommend them to the numerous family and friends who come through Abilene nor would I stay there and what's sad is they were our preferred hotel of choice before.

Posted by blahblah on July 22, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

robert---you crack me up!!!

mliatx---what a horrible thing that happened to you and your daughter! I would definately follow through with your complaint ~But~ I wouldn't sit around waiting on the applogy letter as you will probably never receive it. I'm sure it "was lost in the mail" LOL

ALSO---I have a friend who used to work at the Whitten Inn who told me when she worked there, they would not rent rooms to locals either.

Posted by mbs0606 on July 22, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know for a fact which hotel it is that did that. I worked there and did both housekeeping and lobby clerk. Anytime locals checked in, we always had problems with them. Either we found drug paraphonelia after their check out or we had to call the cops because they were fighting. I'm not saying that everyone local that checks into hotels is a druggy or causes trouble, but after dealing with the people that we did, it became a policy.

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My mail just ran and there wasn't a letter.

Posted by robertwp on July 22, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would suggest that this is an Abilene business and most of us are Abilenians. I think that if enough people are informed about the way that this hotel is doing business then their pocketbooks would be significantly affected. It looks like more than 10 people have posted here. If those ten told 10 more and insisted that those ten tell ten more, 4 or 5 cycles would inform enough people that Abilene doesn't appreciate the way that CI is doing business and I would just guess that at least half of their business has a local connection and that connection would dry up.

I would suggest we all put our guests up at the Whitten Inn from now on. They are locals themselves and would love to have the company. Many of the dollars spent will stay in Abilene and the owner, Larry Whitten, is easy to find in case an idiotic event like this should ever crop up. I have put several people up at the Whitten Inns and it has been a pleasant experience for all involved.

Or we could do nothing and make it appear that we condone this nonsense. That would be easier.

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will call and check with the Whitten and see if they have a similar policy. If they don't I'd be happy to recommend them. They have donated linens and such to the Mission for outreach we do for the poor and homeless.

I do agree - tell people. We are local and couldn't stay there anyway - but just this week I found a hotel for my brother in law traveling from Colorado. Previously my in-laws and friends from Kansas have stayed here and just a few weeks ago an Area Coordinator from MOPS International stayed over night in Abilene. And in all these cases I helped find lodging. I simply will find lodging in the future that is more considerate of the local residents. Certainly problems arise - but seriously me walking in with my five year old daughter and scrapbooking supplies should have said something about our non druggy ways.

But to be honest - you can be traveling through a town and use drugs and steal and move on through. Drugs, alcohol and destruction aren't isolated to local residents I am sure.

Posted by Ranchero on July 22, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let the comment cards fly... https://secure.choicehotels.com/ires/...

Posted by cdw1976 on July 22, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know about now, but my family and I stayed in that particular hotel that Leah mentions in her blog in March. We had a ruptured pipe and water everywhere and were there for 3 nights with a 2 and 4 year old. We were given a room and never even had to explain why "locals" were wanting the room. They even offered to give us a handicap room so we would have more space for our children. I hate that you were treated this way because we had a great experience.

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad you had a good experience. Perhaps the management/owner has changed or recently had a bad experience which lead to overkill on his part in not letting us stay there. Who knows.

Posted by maggiedog on July 22, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That lady should get a good civil rights attorney and she ought to own that hotel. Locals may get drunk and tear places up, but not all. Out of towners do as well. I mean good night, she wanted to have some relaxing time with her daughter away from home. But no, the owner would make no exceptions. What I suggest someone do is take out a full page ad naming this cretin. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword. I'd ruin him from Dalhart to Port Isabel and from El Paso to Port Arthur and points in between and dare him to do anything about it. Hit this clown in his pocketbook. Money talks and HOGWASH walks !

Posted by lazycactus on July 22, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leah, we were sorry to hear about how this local hotel treated you. Please contact us for a free night for you and your daughter in our bed & breakfast at mike at lazycactusbb dot com.

Posted by npyuma on July 22, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mmitchell339, you have really outdone yourself.

I doubt that the hotel is owned and managed "from a country other than the USA", and even if this is the case, I SERIOUSLY doubt it had ANYTHING to do with Leah's ordeal. Your flawed and prejudice plan of telling the management to "take his camel back to his country" is absurd.

Next time, use common sense and actually THINK before you type something so offensive and erroneous. We could all do without your inane comments.

Posted by abilene2 on July 22, 2008 at 3:40 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by suzeqpublic on July 22, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I for one personally know this family and you will never meet a nicer group of people. I have known this precious little girl since birth, and she has been through so many health problems in her few years on earth. For someone to say that maybe the hotel manager didnt like their looks is beyond ignorant to me. This family is always giving and helping any and everyone and never ask for anything in return. This is one establishment that will NEVER have one kind work said about it from me and certainly never earn one red cent from me either. Not that just me doing that can make a big difference, but if a big enough stink is made about this, it is bound to hurt their business. Leah, you keep those girls close to your heart and know that we are still praying for you daily!

Posted by hatestheramps on July 22, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can certainly see any business having the right to refuse service to anyone, but there needs to be some common sense used in the decision. Common sense seems to be in short supply in too many places in American today. Apparently Abilene is no different. Lack of common sense leads to policies like the one being discussed here being implemented, because the employees are lacking in the education to make simple decisions. Obviously this woman and here small daughter meant no harm, while 6 guys in matching fraternity shirts with a keg under their arm might be cause for implementing the policy.

Posted by huckster on July 22, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i, too, have stayed at the whitten. the price was good and the accomodations were nice. i would recommend to my fellow locals to use the whitten when you need a local motel.

Posted by ElJaws on July 22, 2008 at 5:12 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by ICURlistening on July 22, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn when we had a small house fire. When we checked in they knew we were locals and I informed them that I was not sure how long we would be staying. They told us we could stay for as long as we needed. It took about two weeks for the restoration of our house and our stay was comfortable. We had breakfast readily available every morning with good waffles and coffee. That was our experience.

Posted by Festus on July 22, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since no one else has suggested this I will. Maybe he's a "smoker!!!!" and doesn't like the way the locals have handled the smoking ban. If I was in his place, owned a hotel on the interstate, and the locals told me I couldn't allow my customers to use a legal product in my building I would tell the locals to bug off as well. I wouldn't exactly use that word "bug" either. Also, I would give you whatever reason I wanted to. He doesn't need your business.

Posted by bob on July 22, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Please keep in mind the hotel is only as good as the management. Sometimes mananagement changes, sometimes it doesn't. We had a problem with a hotel we checked in to while on vacation. After 10 minutes, we were checking out. When I returned home, I called corporate and made a complaint. I have spoken to the general manager of the hotel twice about the cleanliness and safety of his hotel. The other step you might consider is going to different travel sites that let consumers rate hotels and give them an ear full. I always read the ratings before I stay in that particular hotel.

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I do agree that a hotel or any establishment is only as good as the management. I didn't let it go with the desk clerk. She called someone who was listed on a business card as the general manager. Later I asked who was the franchise owner and she mentioned that I had talked to him. I can't post his name here but it's on my blog at justme-leah.blogspot.com at the bottom of the original post I made the night of the incident.

Being that I spoke with the general manager/owner that tells me that he does not care and it will not get better unless Abilenians do something to affect his business.

And I do believe hotels can still offer smoking rooms. It's public places that are deemed non smoking. Almost all hotels have smoking and non smoking rooms.

I did complain to the Corporate office. I have not heard anything. And I have left a review on 2 sites. Most sites require that you have booked through them to leave a review. At least the ones I have checked thus far.

Thank you for all the comments. I plan to read through them all tomorrow.

Lazy Cactus thank you.

Leah

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW the idea of it being because of the smoking ban is ridiculous. #1 - the city ordinance states:

Exemptions: Hotel and motel rooms that are rented to guests and are designated as smoking rooms;
provided, however, 20% of hotel and motel rooms
rented to guests may be so designated. All smoking rooms on the same floor must be
contiguous and smoke from these rooms must not infiltrate into areas where smoking is
prohibited under the provisions of this Article. The status of rooms as smoking or
nonsmoking may not be changed, except to add additional nonsmoking rooms.

So yes while the smoking ban may affect his business this man spoke to me on the phone and I could have been a chain smoker for all he knew.

Posted by jhblrb on July 22, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for telling us the name of the hotel on your blog. Why wouldn't the AR-N publish the name?

Posted by mliatx on July 22, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not sure - I guess because they would need to investigate to get both sides. It's really ok. It always comes out! :) And to be honest I am not the type to be hugely annoyed by something like this. I might get mad at the moment and be frustrated but when I think and calm down I usually chalk up bad service to someone having a bad day and if it's repetitive I simply don't go back.

Posted by wmarkp on July 23, 2008 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am almost positive that the Motel 6 does not give rooms to local patrons, as I stayed there during the Abilene Shootout two years ago, and they refused to allow a local woman to stay overnight. Although, I did not try to listen as to why, I did hear the woman become 'angry' at the denial, but it might have been for 'other' then party and destroy reasons.

Posted by brownidldy4512 on July 23, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wmarkp, are you talking about the motel 6 off of I20 and Shirley rd? My daughter got married in july last year and they stayed there for the night. The price was reasonable and the staff was very nice. I brought them champagne as i didnt know there were not any coolers in the room and they stored it in their office and my daughter could call the office and someone brought them the champagne . We are slso locals.

Posted by dr__dawggy on July 23, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mila...And I have left a review on 2 sites. Most sites require that you have booked through them to leave a review. At least the ones I have checked thus far.

___
Try leaving a hotel review on www.tripadvisor.com They do not require that you book through them and their reviews are widely read.

Posted by nmdad on July 23, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go to the motel and have the manager read this statement 5 times. I AM WE TODD IT. If they are trying to keep locals for tearing up the rooms they should allow the desk clerk to make a visual determination. A mother and her young daughter...probably not a huge threat to property. What if the mother/daughter were trying to get away from an abusive significant other? They can't find a room, they go home, and something terrable happens to them. It must be nice to have such a profitable business you can pick and choose your customers.

Posted by rampbrat on July 23, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I keep thinking of the times that I have booked rooms for out of town guests and friends. When my son got married we booked a block of about 12 rooms so family and friends could be together. When the next kid gets married you can bet these guys won't get my business!
Is a reservation considered a verbal contract? I don't know, but it seems like it would be. If so there's grounds for a law suit or at least the threat of one to corp.

Posted by thismomisodd on July 23, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Leah, either that's a "new rule" or they were making it up on the spot. My husband and I stayed at that hotel (I looked it up on your blog), and they let us stay..and this was in May. There was no doubting that we were local, as they got our address.

Posted by dukebie on July 23, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that is just plain stupid i think.they have your I.D.if something come up missing or destroyed they know how to get in touch with you or file charges on you.you know the more i hear it's not what you know,it's who you know i belive that."SHAME,SHAME"on that "MO OR HO TEL".

Posted by maggiedog on July 23, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This situation is so absurd that I am incredulos over it. A mother and her daughter wanting to spend quiet time togather away from home. What is so threatening and wrong about that ? If I was licensed to practice law in Texas I'd take this case pro bono. I've seen out of towners tear rooms up way worse than locals. The inn keeper was so wrong.

Posted by mliatx on July 23, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UPDATE: I spoke with the Gentleman who runs this hotel as well as one other hotel in Abilene and one in Midland and San Angelo. He was very nice and very apologetic. He insisted that this is not their regular policy and while they have had some bad luck as of late at this hotel their policy is to make sure it's a credit card transaction so damages can be billed.

Again he was very apologetic and I found him to be very sincere. My whole purpose in making a big stink about this was to possibly change a ridiculous exclusion.

I appreciate all of your input. I am glad this situation has been appropriately handled and while it doesn't make the "bad experience" go away I am at ease with the resolution.

I do think their are other hotels who have similar exclusions to help protect their properties but again as a previous poster said - they need to use common sense in whom to apply it to.

Leah

Posted by blahblah on July 23, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leah,

I'm glad he called you.

But if it was in fact a credit card issue, they should / would have said so at the beginning. I believe he is realizing that this is the most "blogged" story in Abilene and even if he doesn't allow "Locals" to stay there, he could still loose business just from family members visiting locals. After all this, no one will recommend friends or family to stay at this motel.

ARN --- I also would like to know why you deleted robertwp's comment. He is not the one who submitted this story and you are allowing everyone else to say which motel they think is the culprit. Isn't that discrimination???

Posted by mliatx on July 23, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me clarify - He said that their policy was that a credit card should be used. I had my card and that the staff at the local hotel was enforcing a non existent policy. He said his policy was only to require a credit card. Sorry I didn't word that right.

Oh and I did get an email about not posting my blog. I didn't realize I wasn't supposed to do that.

Posted by blahblah on July 23, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leah, Who said you weren't supposed to post your blog? I hope you are not talking about something I wrote because all I am saying is that it is BS that ARN deletes anyones blog that has the correct hotel and if they are going to do that...they need to delete any hotel name in all blogs.

And I understand better about the hotes enforcing a non existent policy. Did they just make up that policy on their own?

Posted by cromeensb on July 23, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by cromeensb on July 23, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All,

check out tomorrow's abilene reporter-news for a story on this subject.

blahblah,

robertwp should know why his comment was deleted. naming the business without the other side of the story is something we avoid. we did not remove some of the other posts based upon how they were posted and then immediately refuted by others.

as far as blogs go. we ask our readers that they not post their personal blogs (ex: www.bartonsblogspot.com). we did not ask mliatx not to post comments. we asked that she not post her blog.

you can disagree with the decisions of the ARN to remove posts.

consider this as a first warning to you as well. obscenity (whether it is abbreviated or not) is not allowed. continued violation will result in banning from the site.

don't approve of a post or see something that you think violates our posting policies, hit suggest removal and see if our site administrators agree.

Barton Cromeens
Editor
Abilene Reporter-News
reporternews.com

Posted by ilttp on July 23, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leah,
I am very happy you managed to post your blog. It has introduced me to the "blogging world" out there on the web. I especially enjoyed the Christian music. It was just what I needed to hear. Among many others, I am also so sorry this situation had to happen to you and your precious daughter. Shame on that hotel/motel staff for the angst they caused you and your family. May some good come out of this ordeal for your family. Blessings ~~~~~~~~

Posted by Abilene_Libertarian on July 23, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

<<<<Posted by cromeensb on July 23, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)>>>>

****WHAT?
Barton made a BOO BOO?

Even the best of us goof sometimes.

Posted by robertwp on July 23, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"naming the business without the other side of the story is something we avoid."

Am I to understand that the ARN never prints any story without allowing both sides to comment?

Posted by ropers40 on July 23, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Was it me or was MR CRomeensb somewhat threatening.

Posted by cromeensb on July 24, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

abilene_libertarian,

there was a problem with the grammar in my first post and I accidentally hit "post" instead of "edit" I removed it. Yes, I make errors as does our staff which folks are always more than happy to point out.

robertwp,

we try to provide balance and both sides. there are lots of times when one side is unwilling to comment, but we feel the news is of importance to our readers so we do have to go ahead.

ropers40,

threatening - no. promising - yes. there are a handful of folks on these comment threads who are out of control and it is ruining things for the other 140,000 registered users. it's kind of like a group of hecklers taking over an event. sometimes it's fun to watch for a while, but a steady enough drumbeat of it eventually takes a negative toll. the comments section isn't only for 20-40 hardcore users. it's for the other 139,960+ folks as well.

i hope to have a column along these lines this sunday.

Barton Cromeens
Editor
Abilene Reporter-News
reporternews.com

Posted by blahblah on July 24, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Barton Cromeens---Thanks for clarifying!

And I am glad you admit you make mistakes too...I promise sir, I will not write BS again ;)

But I am glad they contacted her and I think they should give her a free room for all the headache!

Posted by npyuma on July 24, 2008 at 8:41 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by robertwp on July 24, 2008 at 9:05 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by cromeensb on July 24, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All,

I responded to questions that were both on topic and off topic, which took us off topic in the longrun.

Robertwp, if you want to discuss your post, you can contact me by email.

npyuma, same thing.

Barton Cromeens
cromeensb@reporternews.com
Editor
Abilene Reporter-News
reporternews.com

Posted by HoursAway on July 24, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good thing ___________ _____________ hotel doesn't advertise with the paper, otherwise we wouldn't have a story to look forward to tomorrow!
I travel into Abilene quite often and usually stay with family, but recently I needed a room during a very hectic weekend (ACU Homecoming). I started looking too late but luckily called the Best Western next to Target, the people there did every thing they could think of to get me a room and actually did. They were friendly & personable. There, there's my recommendation.

Posted by cromeensb on July 24, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Advertising has nothing to do with what stories are written HoursAway. There is a separation of church (newsroom if you will) and state (advertising).

And the story is up on our site.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008...

Posted by ddannheim on July 24, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have lived in the metroplex and in Abilene and have stayed at local hotels. I have never heard of such a ridiculous policy. Once our water heater burst and we had to get a hotel for a couple of nights until it was repaired. During the middle of the week we couldn't just take off work and go to Dallas for a few days. I'm sure people off the highway can tear up a room and make noise. Isn't that just the risk of having a hotel?

I am an alumnus of ACU and I certainly won't recommend this hotel or the others mentioned to people coming into town for Sing Song, Homecoming, etc. Maybe the three universities should take them off their list of recommended hotels, too.

Posted by anaka on July 24, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Whitten Inn University on I20 gladly accepts locals. My husband and I live about 15 minutes away from it. We are newlyweds and like to get away from the house every few months and we have stayed there throughout the past year. They have very nice rooms with all the amenities. They even have rooms that allow pets - not quite as nice, but still very comfortable. I've even seen them host a local wedding reception in their small dining area (music and dancing only). The staff are very professional and courteous, and the room charge very reasonable. I would recommend it to any other abilinian who wants, or needs, a night or weekend away from home.

Posted by Abilene_Libertarian on July 24, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bart, just a little good natured ribbing. ;)

KIRBY

Posted by Dr_Mike on July 25, 2008 at 4:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I imagine if a person was an illegal immigrant with no known address you can get in. Dr Mike out.

Posted by wildturkey on July 25, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe the negative publicity this has generated may be cause for some policy changes and lower revenue for the motels who are guilty of this problem.