BRISTOL – In an unusual move, Republican mayoral hopeful Ken Johnson said that a press release his campaign issued Friday included “comments that are not accurate” and asked reporters to “allow me to correct this error.”
Among the comments attributed to Johnson that were included in the earlier version of the press release that vanished in the revised one were:
* “This is a clear example of what’s wrong with Bristol politics. The BDDC is clearly beginning to get off the ground and make progress with regards to the mall property and a seasoned City Councilman is asking them to stop.”
* “I get a kick out of it when a member of the City Council says we have to prioritize – where have they been? They have a vote on the City Council to help set the agenda – they don’t do it and than they blame the world for the lack of progress.”
* “My fear is that this area [around the new section of Route 72] will soon become a mini Route 6 if we are not careful about development.”
* “I find it hard to believe that a veteran City Councilman of 14 years [i.e., Art Ward] cannot understand the concept of the BDDC.”
* “This type of opportunity [revitalizing the mall using a BDDC plan] will go a long way in increasing our tax base and helping to stabilize taxes in our community if not lower them. This nonsense of starting and stopping projects has to stop.”
It is unclear why Johnson is calling the earlier comments inaccurate. They were issued in a press release by a campaign aide.
Below are both versions of Johnson’s press releases, first the one on Friday, then the corrected version on Saturday that the candidate said “accurately reflects my sentiments and comments.”
The Friday version:
Ken Johnson the Republican nominee for Mayor of the City of Bristol hailed the remarks from DOT Commissioner Ralph Carpenter as a sign of good things to come for the City of Bristol. Commissioner Carpenter announced that the ground breaking for the new Route 72 expansion would take place in October.
Johnson took this opportunity to assail Democratic Mayoral hopeful Art Ward for his recent comments regarding the Bristol Downtown Development Corporation (BDDC.) Ward recently called for the BDDC to halt all of its work until November. The Democratic candidate is opposed to having a separate corporation working on downtown development and believes that the Bristol Development Authority (BDA) should have charge of the project.
“This is a clear example of what’s wrong with Bristol politics,” Johnson added “The BDDC is clearly beginning to get off the ground and make progress with regards to the mall property and a seasoned City Councilman is asking them to stop.”
“I get a kick out of it when a member of the City Council says we have to prioritize – where have they been?” Johnson asked “They have a vote on the City Council to help set the agenda – they don’t do it and than they blame the world for the lack of progress.”
Johnson stated that as Mayor he would be asking the BDA to use their efforts to finish the Southwest Industrial Park that has been dormant for several years, and to use this new opportunity to ensure that we have a solid plan of development along the new Route 72 corridor.
“I believe that we should begin the process now, of starting to talk about what we want this corridor to look like,” Johnson continued “My fear is that this area will soon become a mini Route 6 if we are not careful about development.”
Under a Johnson administration the BDA will have plenty of work to do and developing them Mall property should stay with the BDDC. “I find it hard to believe that a veteran City Councilman of 14 years cannot understand the concept of the BDDC” Johnson said.
“This type of opportunity will go a long way in increasing our tax base and helping to stabilize taxes in our community if not lower them,” Johnson concluded “ This nonsense of starting and stopping projects has to stop.”
And the Saturday version:
Ken Johnson, the Republican nominee for Mayor of the City of Bristol, hailed recent remarks from DOT Commissioner Ralph Carpenter as a “sign of good things to come for the City.” Commissioner Carpenter announced that the ground breaking for the Route 72 expansion would take place in October.
Johnson took the opportunity to question Democratic Mayoral hopeful Art Ward’s recent written request of the Bristol Downtown Development Corporation (BDDC). Ward called for the BDDC to halt its work until after the November election.
“Sounds like movin’ backward to me,” said Johnson, as it appears Ward would unravel the BDDC and hand the project back to the Bristol Development Authority (BDA) if he had his way.
“This is a disturbing example of politics over people. Just as the people of Bristol get good news -- progress on Rt. 72, progress on downtown – a career politician throws up the stop sign. Everyone I talk to wants to see action, to see decisions made.”
Regarding the BDA, “there is plenty for them to do,” said Johnson. He stated as Mayor he would charge the BDA to move aggressively to finish the Southwest Industrial Park and develop a solid plan for development along the Rt. 72 corridor. “The State is putting the shovel in the ground. The clock is ticking. The time to start talking about what we want this corridor to look like is now.”
“We’re looking at a tremendous opportunity for the people of Bristol to feel a renewed sense of pride in our City. The problem isn’t with our city, it’s with our politics.” Johnson concluded, “We can change the picture, but it’s going to be up to the people to make that happen.”
I'm awaiting comments from Democratic mayoral hopefuls Ellen Zoppo and Art Ward.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
13 comments:
Sounds to me Johnson is not sure of himself, either way. He sure doesn't get my vote!
Perhaps the Johnson camp feels that their best shot at winning is to have Ward and Zoppo split the Democratic vote about equally. If they hit Art too hard they will throw the election to Ellen.
Or it could just be an example of their inexperience and incompetence.
This is just more confusing. I haven't found any of his press releases or his website to clearly reflect what direction he wants to take the city in. All he has done is say we need a change but he won't see what kind of changes.
And what was supposed to be his view on Friday is not his view on Monday.
I think it's probably just an honest mistake made by a relative "newbie" to the process of running a political campaign. One of Ken's running mates was seen at a nursing home recently, insisting on being allowed to talk politics to the patients there (uninvited and unexpected) and got frustrated when he was denied access to them.
Why do you need to go to Johnson's website. Aren't you on this site. All his press releases are being post here by Steve Collins.
Craig,
At least the Republicans aren't trying to blame criminal activity on operatives of the other party such as your are.
"Newbie" like you are a seasoned pro Minor? You still can't speak your mind without scripts from Ellen!
Craig,
Was it an honest "melt down" from your volunteer Mr. Marko when he insinuted in this forum that I could have some knowledge of who vandalized the First Congregational Church? Talk about a "newbie". You know me well enough to know that I would have no knowledge what so ever of anyone who would commit such an act. Of course if I did I would notify the proper authorities immediately.
I'm waiting for a public apology from Marko for his temperamental, inappropriate, remark slandering me.
Would you as an aquaintance of mine please recommend to him that he do so in the name of common sense?
Alex, get a grip, it was tongue in cheek, anyone reading that would see it. You really need to relax, between this and the Elks Club rental situation you seem to be overly sensitive.
wow, I can remember a while back when Craig was asked to make an apology to someone for his foul mouth but that never happened either.
Mr. Carros - It was a simple question - do you know anything about the vandalism? People who do such cowardly acts often brag about it. I was wondering if you had heard of anyone doing so. You have no problem answering this question today and I accept your answer.
Anon:
I appreciate your advice, but I wish you were brave enough to write your name as well.
First of all I ademately state and I know for a fact that political discussion does not belong at any BPOE. Therefore political advertising should not be displayed at a BPOE, nor should there be political controversy stirred by the fact that there is an HQ there.
It's hard to see if Marko was making the statement in a "tongue in cheek" manner. There is no indication there to assume such a thing.
As far as Marko's investigation, I believe that's better done by professionals. Perhaps he should talk with people who spend time with juveniles or derelicts? Please do not associate me with people who know or do such things...sir.
STeve - I thought you monitored the comments before posting them?
What does this argument with Craig-Marko-Alex have to do with Johnson backtracking on his campaign comments?
Your blog was great at first but now it's just turning into another place to publicly fight and humiliate each other on topics that the rest of the real population don't care about.
Grow up guys. If you want to fight go somewhere else and do it or better yet be the adults you are supposed to be and have a conversation face to face to work out your differences.
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