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| I have participated in the MLK Jr. Parade for the last 13 years in Pensacola as an elected official like in this picture above from 2012 when I was on the school board--always in vehicles with signs signifying my position--this year, however, it is "controversial" to some political opponents..... |
Of all things to get blindsided for and attacked--who would ever think it would be for choosing to join other community leaders, elected officials, school bands, and others by marching in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade?!?
I have participated in this parade for the last 13 years--as a school board member and also since I became a commissioner. It is something I take great pride in and I appreciate the opportunity to march every year.
What a great day, honoring a great man and joining the community and others in paying tribute to Dr. King!
So what should have been an innocuous post on my personal facebook page where I marked the occasion and posted some pictures of my family and I participating in the parade
suddenly became weaponized by haters and those that support my election opponents.
Here are a couple of things for those who harbor these irrational, illogical, whacked-out opinions to ponder:
1. This was NOT a campaign event....All elected officials that participated had banners or signs on their individual cars to identify them to the parade's attendees--those in this year's election and those that aren't up for re-election.
2. Commissioners often participate in parades and sponsor parades. Public vehicles are frequently used to join the parade -- including fire trucks, sheriff''s department vehicles, police vehicles, and also county vehicles. According to our attorney, with whom I have spoken about this, the use of public resources and vehicles is appropriate if a public purpose can be demonstrated.
Folks want to politicize parades and attack elected county commissioners like me with ridiculous arguments that have no merit. To these folks I'd simply ask them to think about the following (rhetorical) questions:
---Can no public vehicles be used in parades?
---If yes, which public officials can attend and which public assets can be deployed?
---If the answer is no, what is the basis for saying No--and why have no previous "complaints" been voiced?
---Can "some"elected officials go to the parades yearly (even in election years) and use public resources for the parade but county commissioners cannot?
---Who decides this?
---Must an official who participates in parades frequently and historically over time suddenly NOT participate when invited to participate in a parade if it is his election year?
---If yes--why and who says? If not, why not--and who decides?
You see, there are no legitimate answers that can be made to the questions posed above. Because to say that all elected officials must "hide" and not participate in events where they are recognized during their election years is simply ridiculous.
I won't hide from anything just because it is an election year--those hoping I will do this will be sorely disappointed. I will conduct myself this year just as I do in non-election years, that's just the way it is going to be.
