The following is an e-mail from a viewer who objected to the handling of our interview with Michael Feinstein, the Grammy-nominated performer.  He is now also the Artistic Director of the Performing Arts Center under construction in Carmel. 

That was really a cheap shot on Michael Feinstein. Your interview with him asking his income was not appropriate. I am in the business of discovering incomes and needs. Asking this Feinstein fellow about his income when he politely had mentioned to stay away from certain questions was a cheap shot. What  show did you intereviewer think he was on Chris Mathews. I thought I would give you a try this morning only to get the weather sorry I was disappointed.

Since the sender may not be the only person feeling that way, here is my response to that viewer. 

Dear Mr. _____, 

Maybe part of our report on Michael Feinstein was not sufficiently clear.  I did the interview.  So, I know the question that was replayed on the newscast.   

First, as we try to determine whether Mr. Feinstein is being paid with public funds, asking about his income is appropriate.  Before the Friday interview, there had been several print and broadcast reports addressing the interest in the salary — believed to be $500,000 – going to Mr. Feinstein.  So, “cheap shot” it was not.  

Second, in arranging the interview, one local official suggested that we not dwell on the subject of Mr. Feinstein’s salary.  His words were, I believe, to avoid asking Mr. Feinstein “to defend his salary.”  I knew that, if I were to make that my only line of questioning, it would be an unproductive interview.  So, I asked one question about it: What does he make of the attention to his salary?  I can imagine several possible answers to such a question — which did not demand a defense of his paycheck.  

Our report also allowed Mr. Feinstein to describe his plans for the Performing Arts Center under his leadership as Artistic Director.  That was by far the biggest element of the story.  And, considering the investment in that project, it’s important to know how he intends to make it a success.   It’s unfortunate that this disappoints you.  

Best wishes,  

Eric     

I understand the sensitivity to salary issues.  But, I also know that people who are following the Performing Arts Center project would be aware of Mr. Feinstein’s paycheck.  I tried to find a polite way to present the issue.  He politely chose not to answer it and we continued the conversation.