Poling to speak at Republican gathering

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

GILBERT

Veteran journalist and former national correspondent for CBS radio network news, Doug Poling, will be the guest speaker at an event given by the local Republican Party tonight at the Inn at Harvest Farms Lake.

The picnic which begins at 6:30 p.m. will be free although donations will be accepted. In addition to Poling, all state and federal Republican nominees have been invited to make an appearance including senatorial candidate Lamar Alexander, 4th District congressional candidate Janice Bowling, gubernatorial candidate Van Hilleary and 47th District state representative candidate Judd Matheny.

Poling, a visiting professor with E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio State University, is presently a resident of Franklin and can be heard on WLAC morning news.

His journalistic career spans more than four decades, including a stint as CBS news correspondent which began in 1977. Among some of the historical events covered, Poling was assigned to cover Operation Desert Shield, Ronald Reagan’s speech at the Berlin Wall, the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Iran, numerous political assignments along with a specialty in the coverage of major hurricanes. More recently he covered the World Trade Center bombing of 1993 and the crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island in 1996.

According to local Republican Chairperson Linda Gilbert, securing Poling as a speaker is a noteworthy accomplishment.

“We’re thrilled to have him come and speak,” Gilbert said. “He’s done a lot during his long and storied career and I can’t wait to hear what he has to say.”

Those planning to attend are asked to contact Gilbert at 473-8650. Also appearing will be Eben Gilbert, who will entertain those in attendance by presenting a percussion concert.