Candidate's Phone Message Calls 911

I've done a number of stories about our 911 emergency system.

Video: Word On The Street (6/22/07)

Few, if any, have been complimentary. But this one is a prize winner.

Here's one of two phone calls received last week at the emergency center.

"911, what is the exact location of your emergency?” said the operator.

"Hello, this is Buck Dozier. I'm honored and humble to have received the endorsement of the Nashville Fire Fighters' Union. I want to personally thank you for your support and vote of confidence. As mayor I will stand by my word to make public safety Metro's highest priority," the message said.

Dozier's automated phone message was almost 50 seconds long.

So, how did it happen?

Mike Kopp, Dozier's campaign manager, explained it by saying the following:

"It was an honest mistake by a volunteer," he said. "There's no way it's going to happen again."

The volunteer mistakenly placed the phones numbers into a computer and sent it to Computer Marketing of America, whose equipment sends out campaign messages for several of the candidates.

Kopp said the volunteer accidentally wrote down the 911 jobs of some of those to be called instead of their phone numbers.

"Your support has given me momentum. But I still need your help before the August second election. Let's finish strong together. Once again thank you," Dozier's message said.

Dozier's computerized 911 call got a lot of play at the Metro Courthouse, particularly, for whatever reason, in the mayor's office.

But don't blame Dozier for the mistaken calls.

It takes all sorts of paid and unpaid volunteer workers to run a political campaign.