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American Morning
Interview with Mayor Jeff Ira of Redwood City, California
Aired January 21, 2004 - 09:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The judge in the Scott Peterson case has found a new home for the double-murder trial. The trial is moving from Modesto, California, 90 miles west to San Mateo County. The judge says he's satisfied that Peterson will find a fair and impartial jury there.
The new courthouse is in Redwood City. It's where the Patty Hearst's trial took place in 1976.
So, is the town ready for another turn in the national spotlight?
To help us answer that question, Redwood City mayor this morning, Jeff Ira. He's joining us from there.
Good morning to you, Mr. Mayor. Is your city ready for this?
MAYOR JEFF IRA, REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA: Good morning. Yes. Actually, the county of San Mateo is in charge, and it will be their show, as well as the sheriff's department. And we'll be there to assist and help in many ways, especially as it relates to the flow of traffic into the downtown area.
COLLINS: And there will be...
IRA: And so, we're getting it together now
COLLINS: There will be quite a flow of traffic, I'm sure. Let me ask you, how did you feel when your town was picked for this? Are local businesses, merchants excited about the possible increase in business?
IRA: Well, certainly the local merchants are very excited about this, because we're in the midst of a renaissance in our downtown, major construction. And this will be certainly something that will help them get over the hump.
And the citizens at-large are a little bit skeptical, I think. They're thinking about, well, it's going to be real tough to drive downtown, to get around. And so, I think they're a little hesitant and concerned about the traffic. But certainly, the businesses are looking forward to the increase in traffic flow.
COLLINS: How closely are people in your city actually following this case?
IRA: It's, again, a big mix. Some people are watching it very closely. They give you all kinds of details of things that have been brought up about the case; others only what's been shown on the major news networks. So, a very, very mixed bag there.
COLLINS: What's your feeling about Scott Peterson and possibly getting a more fair trial, if you will, there your city versus Modesto?
IRA: Well, actually, I think that there'll be no problem in getting a fair trial here in San Mateo County. I think that the people are going to do exactly what they're supposed to do and be fair and impartial. Very difficult, I would think, in Modesto, where people are so emotional, especially with the longer deal of people out helping search and things like that. I think it would be very, very difficult. So, I think that it will be very successful here in San Mateo County.
COLLINS: Take us back, if you will, to 1976, Patty Hearst was also tried in your city. What was that like? And do you expect this to be as big of an event?
IRA: Oh, I'm assuming that it's going to be a bigger event, simply because the press is becoming larger and larger. Television is becoming more and more important to people viewing. So, I'm assuming much, much bigger, and certainly we're going to have to be contacting the people in Modesto, seeing what they did with all of the news media, and hopefully getting a lot of insight and help from them as well
COLLINS: Probably a good idea. Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira, thanks so much for your insights this morning. Appreciate your time.
IRA: All right, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired January 21, 2004 - 09:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The judge in the Scott Peterson case has found a new home for the double-murder trial. The trial is moving from Modesto, California, 90 miles west to San Mateo County. The judge says he's satisfied that Peterson will find a fair and impartial jury there.
The new courthouse is in Redwood City. It's where the Patty Hearst's trial took place in 1976.
So, is the town ready for another turn in the national spotlight?
To help us answer that question, Redwood City mayor this morning, Jeff Ira. He's joining us from there.
Good morning to you, Mr. Mayor. Is your city ready for this?
MAYOR JEFF IRA, REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA: Good morning. Yes. Actually, the county of San Mateo is in charge, and it will be their show, as well as the sheriff's department. And we'll be there to assist and help in many ways, especially as it relates to the flow of traffic into the downtown area.
COLLINS: And there will be...
IRA: And so, we're getting it together now
COLLINS: There will be quite a flow of traffic, I'm sure. Let me ask you, how did you feel when your town was picked for this? Are local businesses, merchants excited about the possible increase in business?
IRA: Well, certainly the local merchants are very excited about this, because we're in the midst of a renaissance in our downtown, major construction. And this will be certainly something that will help them get over the hump.
And the citizens at-large are a little bit skeptical, I think. They're thinking about, well, it's going to be real tough to drive downtown, to get around. And so, I think they're a little hesitant and concerned about the traffic. But certainly, the businesses are looking forward to the increase in traffic flow.
COLLINS: How closely are people in your city actually following this case?
IRA: It's, again, a big mix. Some people are watching it very closely. They give you all kinds of details of things that have been brought up about the case; others only what's been shown on the major news networks. So, a very, very mixed bag there.
COLLINS: What's your feeling about Scott Peterson and possibly getting a more fair trial, if you will, there your city versus Modesto?
IRA: Well, actually, I think that there'll be no problem in getting a fair trial here in San Mateo County. I think that the people are going to do exactly what they're supposed to do and be fair and impartial. Very difficult, I would think, in Modesto, where people are so emotional, especially with the longer deal of people out helping search and things like that. I think it would be very, very difficult. So, I think that it will be very successful here in San Mateo County.
COLLINS: Take us back, if you will, to 1976, Patty Hearst was also tried in your city. What was that like? And do you expect this to be as big of an event?
IRA: Oh, I'm assuming that it's going to be a bigger event, simply because the press is becoming larger and larger. Television is becoming more and more important to people viewing. So, I'm assuming much, much bigger, and certainly we're going to have to be contacting the people in Modesto, seeing what they did with all of the news media, and hopefully getting a lot of insight and help from them as well
COLLINS: Probably a good idea. Redwood City Mayor Jeff Ira, thanks so much for your insights this morning. Appreciate your time.
IRA: All right, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
