May 02, 2005
Oh, Say Can You See?
a Guest Column by Kerry West
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Ken Sapp and Joe Tolbert’s PAC, NRH4U, recently hand delivered a campaign flyer to several NRH neighborhoods. Political campaigning is a normal part of any election. However, the material in this flyer is a continuation of their dishonest attempts to smear their opposition. While the majority of the content of the flyer is misleading or erroneous at best, one example in particular warrants your attention because it is such a clear example of their overall methodology and intent. The flyer states:
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“Councilwoman Jo Cox, championed by Ron West last year, recently declared that she didn’t “believe in neighborhood parks” at a public council meeting.”
I know Jo Cox and I know she would never say any such thing. I located her actual comments with a search through NRH City Council Minutes. As I suspected, the quote is not only incorrectly stated in the flyer, it is also blatantly and deliberately taken out of context to make Jo Cox and Ron West appear as if they oppose parks and to fit Ken Sapp’s political agenda for the benefit of the incumbents. You can read her
actual statements, in context, from the
August 9th, 2004 City Council Minutes to verify this fact. Councilwoman Cox simply wanted all residents to have access to all parks and for adequate parking to be provided. She only opposes rules that would prevent citizens from using parks in other neighborhoods. Sapp and Tolbert apparently chose not to provide the complete quote because it didn’t suit their purpose of misleading voters.
While I can understand the confusion that voters may experience due to the sheer number and shrill nature of allegations that have been made by some who have voiced opinions regarding this year’s race, there can be no confusion about this incident. This misrepresentation of the facts, perpetrated to benefit the incumbents, is for the purpose of political gain and it is now documented.
It took a long time for me to be convinced that I should run as a candidate for City Council. I have never sought any public office before and could have happily lived the rest of my life without such involvement. My decision to run as a candidate in this election resulted from two realities: my desire to serve the citizens that asked me to run and the numerous ethical problems exhibited by the current leadership in our city government.
This same leadership has as its chief spokesman a man who displays no moral limits when it comes to election propaganda. Accusations are made without any factual documentation to substantiate them. Sapp and his followers have made this claim about me, the other challengers and Ron West but have failed to back their allegation with any proof whatsoever. I have documented every campaign issue that I am running on and I believe Suzette Christopher and Ron West have as well. Ken and the incumbents have not and cannot do the same because much of what they say is pure fabrication. If you doubt this, simply ask them to back their claims with substance and in full context. They can't do it and, if you persist, you will quickly become their enemy. Give it a try and you will discover just how little it takes to obtain the label of "Ron West Disciple".
Sapp and Tolbert 's campaign material touts the phrase "Preserve NRH Values". What values they intend to preserve is uncertain. However, truth and honesty are clearly not among them.
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