Editor

The Story That Must Be Told

For the past six weeks I have watched the Mayoral city election with interest. This Mayoral election has been competitive and each side has taken a different approach. One candidate, RODGER JOHNSON, has run a campaign that has taken the HIGH ROAD pointing out his strengths, his accomplishments, and his vision for the future. The other candidate, Teresa Adams-Wilks, has chosen to take the LOW ROAD and throw as many roadblocks as possible. One of her backers early on wrote a letter to the editor that fell short of any substance and wound up insulting a present and highly respected council member on a personal home-front basis. This backer had no right to make these remarks and a huge majority of voters took offense. This council member considered the source and moved on.

Several weeks ago it was pointed out by a second party source that the wording was incorrect on the HIGH ROAD candidate's signs and a billboard. The HIGH ROAD candidate took immediate action and within twelve hours the same day, all signs but one were corrected. The last sign correction was delayed until the next day so a picture could be taken for this paper. The billboard involved had more of a time element, but a sense of urgency and extra expenditures were placed on this and it was corrected within one week on a normal two week window. Once again, one of the LOW ROAD candidate's backers chose to attack the HIGH ROAD candidate by filing a sworn complaint with TEC, stating that the candidate was not in compliance with the guidelines established by the TEC for political advertising. They went on to say that this candidate is "misrepresenting the position he now holds with the city of Bullard". This was an honest mistake on the part of this candidate and if the writer of this complaint will check they will find that if the candidate takes immediate action in good faith to correct the situation, which was done, he is in compliance with TEC.

Within the last week the LOW ROAD candidate appeared in an ad picturing six previous Mayors of Bullard who paid for and backed this candidate. I am not familiar with the accomplishments of four of the earlier Mayors, but I am familiar with two of the Mayors who appeared. When Mr. Connie Vaughan was elected Mayor, he won by a large majority and did an outstanding job of making the city a more pleasant place to live. He also made the council meetings more pleasant to attend since the person in that seat prior to him never appeared to be interested in hearing or taking action upon the concerns of the residents. This is the same Mayor who wrote a letter to the editor mentioned earlier in this letter. There was another former Mayor in this picture who had pledged his vote to the HIGH ROAD candidate and this candidate did not learn of the change of his allegiance until the ad appeared. His excuse was that some of the other Mayors approached him, along with the LOW ROAD candidate, and he felt he was obligated to change. This same LOW ROAD candidate has stated in her ads "ethical leadership, high moral standards, and respect". Does boycotting the forum sponsored by the Bullard High school journalism class, who worked so hard to make it a success, show respect? You be the judge!

Also within the last week the LOW ROAD candidate has made mailings to the citizens of Bullard. In paragraphs two, three and four, it appears she was more interested in making derogatory statements about her opponent than in pointing out her own qualities which was in the latter part of this mailing. In addition, in last week's edition of this paper, this same candidate took credit for being a part of some accomplishments while serving on the council, which she took very little part in. One actually took place before her election.

These are only some of the facts, not fiction, that have taken place in the Mayoral contest. Through all of these actions and untrue rumors that have been spread, the HIGH ROAD candidate has kept stating his platform while moving ahead on a positive basis in the same manner that he will lead the city of Bullard if elected Mayor. On several occasions, the advisors to this candidate have urged him to respond in some way, but on each occasion he adamantly refused to do so until now. He now felt compelled, in order to protect his integrity, he must respond to the claims and untrue statements that the LOW ROAD candidate has made in her recent ads and letters to the voters. Read this candidate's letters sent to you, read this candidate's ads whose format has been copied recently in local papers and letters to voters by the LOW ROAD candidate and then make your choice. It is your city. It is your future. If you wish it led by someone who cares for your needs, then vote for RODGER JOHNSONforMayor. In his terms on the city council and in his present position as Mayor Pro-Tem, he initiated and with the guidance of the city council and the City Manager, put together a budget that took Bullard from not paying their bills on time to now having close to $700,000 to work with to improve your city. The first project on hand is the repairing of streets in the proper manner. If not elected, he will be out of city government as he is relinquishing his former council seat to run for Mayor. If not elected Mayor, it would leave this city with a tremendous void. If his opponent wins, then her seat on the council will have to be filled as she has one year remaining on her present term. At present, there are two council seats up for election. If she wins, there will be three seats to be filled, which means there will be two new council members and possibly three should the incumbent who is running for one of these seats not win. This means the city could have a new Mayor and possibly three new council seats. This is not the time to fracture city government. Your present council is headed in the right direction, and side- tracking their efforts with a complete change over now, is not in your best interest. Experience counts and RODGER JOHNSON has that experience to serve this city as Mayor. Hopefully he will be elected.

RODGER JOHNSON is "the RIGHT PERSON at the RIGHT TIME for a GROWING CITY". Jim Wade Bullard Resident

Please note: Rodger Johnson did not ask that this letter be written, and has no knowledge of this letter prior to it being published in this newspaper.