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Following Baggett’s electronic mail response and Fb submit, proprietor & writer of The Covington Information, Patrick graham, responded to Baggett.
From: Patrick Graham, Proprietor & Writer | To: Fleeta Baggett. Nov. 16, 2023 at 11:07 a.m.
Good morning, Ms. Baggett,
I apologize for my delayed response to the under electronic mail and subsequent Fb submit. Whereas I’ve been conscious of them for a while I’m simply now getting the chance to reply. Once more my apologies.
My identify is Patrick Graham and I’m the proprietor and writer of The Covington Information. I’d like to begin by congratulating you in your win within the hard-fought mayor’s race in Covington. Garnering over half of the greater than 1,600 votes in a five-way race for mayor is spectacular. Congratulations once more.
I’d like to reply to your feedback under, level by level, however want to additionally let you understand I’d be blissful to debate this matter by telephone or in individual at your comfort.
Right here we go:
• Sure, all of the candidates had the chance to run marketing campaign promoting and/or opinion items within the newspaper. The opponent you cite, Felton Hudson, took benefit of that chance. By his personal admission Mr. Hudson was a one-issue candidate, the affect of the tiny house mission on the Correydell neighborhood, and within the opinion piece you cite he named the council members who voted for the mission and gave his opinion on how he believed it might impact Correydell residents. Which he has the fitting to do. You even have the fitting to disagree together with his opinion. There was nothing slanderous in his opinion piece or his promoting. If there had been, we wouldn’t have run it. However if you happen to actually consider that, I’d encourage you to retain an legal professional and sue each the newspaper and Mr. Hudson. I gained’t communicate for Mr. Hudson, however I sit up for the chance to defend the newspaper’s identify and popularity in courtroom. It’s additionally value noting right here that you simply had the flexibility and alternative to reply to Mr. Hudson in like area and method, and also you selected to not.
• Truly, this all feels private. Your feedback under point out you plan to make use of your public workplace for a private vendetta towards the newspaper ensuing from marketing campaign protection you deem unfair. Your electronic mail response is your first interplay with the newspaper as mayor elect. Why would a thick-skinned, seasoned politician as you purport to be take this method in any other case? You’ve simply been elected by a majority of the voters to be the mayor, and our readers and this group are actually your constituents. Some voted for you, many didn’t. We’re going to inform all of them about how you might be performing in your new workplace. It’s our job to ask you questions. It’s your job to reply them, notably on issues of your administration’s coverage. We’re not going to the general public info officer for that info nor ought to we.
• I’d recognize it if you happen to may give me particular examples (since September 2017 after I purchased the paper) of when the newspaper price the town taxpayers 1000’s of {dollars} or bought the town tossed into litigation on account of the mishandling of the town’s authorized promoting. I can’t discover any, and my employees denies this has ever occurred. If that’s not correct and there have been issues, I must know that in order that I can examine and ensure we put processes in place to maintain it from each occurring once more.
In conclusion, I’d wish to reiterate that I’m open to discussing all or any of this with you at any time. I’d additionally add that the newspaper want to have a mutually-beneficial working relationship with the mayor’s workplace. Not speaking to the paper doesn’t cease the story from being instructed, it simply stops your aspect of it from being instructed. That’s not good for you or on your constituents, our readers, who’re going to need to hear from you.
Congratulations once more and better of luck in your new workplace.
Patrick Graham
Proprietor and Writer
The Covington Information
770-267-2443
patrick.graham@waltontribune.com
From: Fleeta Baggett | To: Patrick Graham, Proprietor & Writer. Nov. 16, 2023 at 10:40 p.m.
Mr Graham,
Thanks on your response and the congratulations.
I selected to not interact Mr Hudson. He has been concerned within the homicide trial of his solely youngster whereas we campaigned. The assassin was sentenced on November the second. He’s a really indignant, damage and grieving man. On the very least he deserves grace.
Your circulation and demographics didn’t attain sufficient voters for me to make use of my marketing campaign funds by promoting within the paper.
No sir, no vendetta in any respect. I simply don’t have anything to say.
Frank Turner Jr can go over precisely what issues we’ve got had. He’s coping with the present zoning legislation fits. As I’m certain you might be conscious, he’s the town legal professional.
So far as suing. My private legal professional is at all times on retainer. Truly, I went towards his recommendation by responding to your electronic mail. Actually, I’ll proceed to take his different steering although, which is to by cross your paper from any private responses.
Regards,
Fleeta S Baggett
Mayor Elect
The Metropolis of Covington
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