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Four Pinocchios – Untruths

“We now have a clear idea of what the incumbent Mayor’s strategy will be.  Claim credit for the work of others, distort my record, and make dramatic statements unsupported by the facts.  I am running a campaign focused on Greensboro, but I’m not going to let stand statements that are clearly false.” 

Justin Outling

12/04/21

Dear Friend:

The truth is a solid foundation to build on.  Instead of providing effective leadership, some politicians distort their opponents record, take credit for achievements they had little to do with, and hope nobody bothers to check the record.  I never have, and never will, engage in that sort of politics.  But now the Mayor has attempted to bring her re-election campaign to that level.

Each year the City Council puts together a legislative agenda of items we want state lawmakers to consider.  In January, we unanimously included a measure that would make it easier for firefighters to make disability claims, recognizing the cumulative effects of exposure to toxic chemicals they are exposed to.  It was something that I, and every other member of the council, supported.

So I was shocked and dismayed when the Mayor made this statement yesterday:

“This year, my mayoral opponent recommended that we omit it from our current agenda, since there hadn’t been much movement. I fought back. I believe in perseverance over expedience.”

It never happened.

The city video tapes our meetings and work sessions and posts them on the city website.  The brief discussion of this item can be found here between 17:47 and 20:39.  I was not at all involved in the discussion.

Here is a link to the minutes of the meeting in which you will find no reference to anyone on the council challenging the Mayor on this item.  She did not “fight back” because no one opposed her on this issue.  Now, in the middle of an election campaign, she cynically wants to portray herself as having won a battle on behalf of firefighters over council opposition that did not exist.   

We now have a clear idea of what the Mayor’s strategy will be.  Claim credit for the work of others, distort my record, and make dramatic statements unsupported by the facts.  I am running a campaign focused on Greensboro, but I’m not going to let stand statements that are clearly false.  That’s where I need your help.  We’ll have to spend more money correcting the record.  As we get closer to election day these attacks will undoubtedly intensify and we’ll need to make sure our message isn’t drowned out.  Please help me by making a donation today.

For Our Future,