Pendergraph’s Campaign Responds to Nan Bauroth
The column written by Nan Bauroth that has been posted in PunditHouse is a continuation of the lies and baseless attacks that Pittenger has spent more money than any candidate in the country spreading.
While both the Author and the blog itself have clearly decided to publish a column that is ridden with misinformation and untrue assertions, we have stated from day one of the Runoff that we would make sure that every voter knows the truth.
Like always, we are responding with the facts – the truth – all of which may also be found on our website here.
Nan, current law dictates the retirement packages of public employees which include active military men and women, veterans, firefighters, police, teachers, etc. It is absolutely true that Jim receives a retirement package for his 37 years in law enforcement protecting our citizens as does every other law enforcement official who qualifies under our current law.
To insinuate that Jim and our veterans, police, and sheriff’s don’t deserve every penny of their retirement for putting their life on the line everyday to protect you and me – well, then we will have to agree to disagree. Regardless, your argument is misdirected as you are attacking Jim and not the legislators who passed the laws specifying his retirement package. If you believe that no public official should receive any retirement, than run for office and pass legislation prohibiting it.
You also reference a very important point regarding the tax returns. I hope you will visit our webpage which documents all the facts here and here. You are correct that Jim and Lori released their tax returns to show they had nothing to hide, and challenged Pittenger to do the same. Pittenger said “No” after making the statement that, “voters have the right to know the background of the candidate.”
You bring up another point that is even more important when you state that Jim sees no conflict of interest as County Commissioner in voting on the budget for the Sheriff’s office to pay the Keith Corporation. I have linked to the public records below sent by Janice Page from the Mecklenburg County Clerk to the Board of the County Commissioners, which clearly shows that Jim indeed has always recues himself from any vote regarding the Keith Corporation because as you rightfully point out, that would be a breach of ethics.
1. 2-15-2011: MINUTES OF MECKLENBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS – Click Here
2. 5-03-2011: MINUTES OF MECKLENBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS – Click Here
3. 9-20-2011: MINUTES OF MECKLENBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS – Click Here
Meanwhile, the evidence is very clear that Mr. Pittenger unfortunately doesn’t feel the necessity to do the same and recues himself from voting on a bill that he personally profited from in 2003. Again, we have all the facts listed and documented on our website which you may view here.
You attack Jim’s record on taxes, which is apparently in support of Pittenger’s position that certain citizens should be taxed so other citizens receive free taxpayer funded services?
In fact, you’re referring to the new fire tax districts that every republican county commissioner voted in favor of which was a vote in support of cutting taxes of every Charlotte resident, including Pittenger’s, who had been paying for County residents to receive fire service. Click here to read Jim’s email to Pittenger regarding the facts about this issue.
Not to mention the fact that your own source, the Americans for Tax Reform admitted that Jim did not break his tax pledge, and Factcheck.org called your same assertions that Pittenger has made verbatim as, “Off the Mark”. Click here to read the report from Factcheck.org.
The final attack on our current Congresswoman Sue Myrick is very unfortunate and clearly shows how little the author knows Sue and what she has always stood for. I will let Sue speak for herself as she has done for so many years, but to make the assertion that Sue is anything but an outstanding, ethical and devoted public servant who has served her constituents with the utmost integrity and commitment – is laughable and quite frankly, more telling about the intent of your column than anything.
I encourage anyone who has any questions regarding the truth – the facts – the real story about your choice on July 17th to please visit the “You Have a Choice” webpage by clicking here. Unlike Mr. Pittenger, Jim stands by the truth and is proud to put his positions, beliefs, and yes, the truth about his opponent’s lies on his own website.
Neal Harrington
Campaign Manager
Jim Pendergraph for Congress
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