 |
| 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.
7 comments:
Yeah that was wacky..Wonder if he was put up to it-- new poster from Perdido neighborhood. Amazed it was an approved post there when they won't let others pass with Haines and Morgan info..Yeah Bender was in the parade too. What's the quote about a fool remaining silent be thought wise but open his mouth and remove all doubt... If they thought it cast shade..it didn't. I guess it's unclear about the personal page posts.. Expect more of the same from the flying monkeys for Underhill/Owens doobie brothers..nasty boys.
Respect for MLK Jr.
Crazy. I enjoy seeing the sheriff department’s horses and the kids interacting with the deputies. Well that’s out now. And, having access to elected officials at public events, we’ll that’s out, too. What about your coffee’s? You have staff there, and that event, really, is only for your supporters. Your haters don’t come, so it’s really a campaign rally so that’s out. In fact, please never be seen in public, as I don’t like you. But. Some commissioners can travel with their aid, and spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars, but that’s ok as I can’t quit you. No other commissioners aids travel, but don’t ever march in a parade. Your haters are laughable.
One of their more ridiculous attempts, Commissioner Bergosh.
The most disturbing thing about it was watching Underhill intentionally misinform the citizenry of the campaign finance laws. And even more unbelievably, encourage the people on the string to report you to the authorities for completely benign participation in an annual community tradition:
"Commissioner Doug Underhil: County Truck+Commissioner Sign+Active Campaign=Campaign violation. Strict rules apply to us while we are in campaigns."
----------------------
"[Citizen]: Commissioner Doug Underhill how and who can this be reported to?
Commissioner Doug Underhill: Florida Elections Commission."
----------------------
It was nice to see Jacqueline Rogers post a corrective on the string more than once.
Nothing but a red herring to distract from the fact that, if he had tried to ride in the parade, he probably would have been egged.
--Melissa Pino
Is going to be a long campaign with Underhand and Owenhill. Fake profile on the free speech sit with a meme..here comes the flying monkey artist. It will be brutal. You know the same ones who use the MD's $ to file a lawsuit against opposition. Better angels tell me to stay out of this. They are coming for you. Nasty people. They want that private beach...
Noah James is a fake profile most likely of the fruitcake who bumped her head Underhill sycophant who was kicked out of Escambia Public Form facebook
and so it continues.
quite a creative meme..wonder who..who who (hears a) ...;)made it?
Good luck Commissioner Bergosh-- you're gonna need it.
or was it a Marlette cartoon?
JC who throws down laugh emoticons, You brought this Troyan horse to the site, you don't think she doesn't know about the PRR already? Who do you think will go over it with a fine tooth comb for her own agenda? Are you really that naive?
Post a Comment