Speaking Out Against Political Bullying

Snellville Residents,

October is the national anti bullying month and it is my plight to advocate for those who are being faced with this age old issue. To begin, I must reflect on the memories of being a child who played, behaved and even dreamed as a child. But as I became an adult I put away the immature thinking and behavior to embrace responsibility on a greater level with the understanding that I could still play and dream. However, I now do this every day with my family and my community.  Playing for me is enrichment. It is not a game that plots to disadvantage others. It’s embracing others with hope and growing from our experiences with an awareness of all life’s benefits.  To dream is to develop a vision and pursue it in confidence with a plan that enables us to progress for now and into the future. Bullying on any level would be those who seek to disable the rights of anyone to dream and exist in a world of opportunities afforded to us in this great country called the United States of America.

However, the White House and our federal government are directly impacted by the small communities in which we live. We must take an interest in our local community and began to review the status of leadership that governs the very foundation of our city.  The character of a good leader is measured in the attitude in which an individual displays. The respect and sincere concern for others is essential which requires a listening ear and a heart to correct problems. It is important to increase the quality of life by paving sidewalks, park improvements, infrastructure needs, attracting quality businesses, maintaining a quality of life unit, and lowering taxes which has been overlooked.

Now is the time to ask the questions why and how can we make the changes needed in order for our city to flourish and see neighborhoods revitalized? How can we keep our community from becoming extinct and inspire a young generation to build upon our foundation? Also, how can we honor our seniors and the history of our heritage in a way that makes our city a landmark in our society?

Consequently, the unresolved progress is due to infighting, not just difference of opinion, but lawsuits being filed back and forth between the Mayor and Snellville City Council which needs to end. The only victim of this is our City and it needs to stop. There must be a balance that constitutes ethical values so that personal conduct is regulated as to what is appropriate so that the right decisions can be made on behalf of our citizens. 

I have experienced this issue first hand after I publicly announced my candidacy for Snellville City Council. Over the past few weeks I have endured countless attacks against my character, my family and even my residency by my opponent and his supporters. These attacks for the most part have been said or written in this very media source by people who are not residents of our City, who have never met me and who have not even attempted to contact me. These attacks have not been an examination of my personal life, my character or my qualifications to be a member of the Snellville City Council, rather they have been blatant lies, unfounded half-truths and elaboration of mere rumors.  The comments and allegations that have been made have been mean-spirited, rude, sexist and sometimes racist. The only purpose of these attacks is to bully me, to decimate my character and to intimidate myself and my family.

Moving forward, I will not retaliate by exposing the skeletons I have learned about the very people who are throwing stones, but neither will I allow their bullying to stop the momentum of my campaign.  I will continue to work for the betterment of Snellville, so that one day hopefully in the near future, we will have a Council that works together for the people and that allows the City to function at its full capacity.  I was celebrated by my opponent and his supporters only a year ago.  See this article on http://snellville.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/time2inspire-school-of-arts-honored-with-ribbon-cutti468bded423. I was embraced and told by my opponent, his running mates and other officials that I am a great inspiration to the City of Snellville, so why has that changed? It’s because it hasn’t changed. I am destined for this path with a mandate to be a public servant.   

I am here to state that despite the tribulations that I have endured over the past few weeks my dedication to our City and my desire to serve on the City Council is unwavering. My intent to help the City of Snellville embrace new and old businesses and to focus on families and the youth is unchanged. My character has been challenged but not moved by the bullying and unethical political tactics of a few. The politically motivated slander that I have now experienced firsthand against myself and my husband has become a cancer within our City for far too long. We as a City must stand-up to it and to those, such as my opponent and his supporters, who think it is OK and harmless to perpetuate its lies. 

I stand here today as a role model to my children and to all of our children.  I am a woman, small business owner, entrepreneur, wife, parent, sister, friend and good neighbor. I believe that I can bring a fresh perspective to the Snellville City Council.  We must stand-up to bullying whether the bullying is in the school playground or the political one.  I am asking you to stand-up with me by casting your vote on November 5th at Snellville City Hall. I genuinely love the City of Snellville and my only intention in running for City Council is to do what is best for our city. Snellville is OUR home.

Join me in the fight against bullying as I continue to share more on this advocacy in upcoming blogs for the next few weeks. Thank you to those who have answered my knock at your door, who have invited me into your homes and who have taken the time to learn the real truth about our City and the candidates for Snellville City Council.  Remember to vote for Alisa Boykin, Dexter Harrison and Re Elect Mike Sabbagh.