Campaign statements

From time to time the various campaigns for mayor e-mail me “statements” about the news of the day. I normally don’t do anything with them, but I thought I would put some of them here if you’d like to read them:

First, Aaron Johnson and Grant Robertson’s statement on Steve Benjamin’s decision to resign from the board of directors of Advance America:

“We at the campaign of Aaron Johnson and Grant Robertson, were happy to hear that Steve Benjamin heeded our calls to step down from the Board of Directors of Advance America.  Pay day lending is a scar on our community that charges outrageous interest rates while targeting, predominately, those in the military and the poor.  We hope that Steve Benjamin will be able to divest himself of the long standing relationships he has had with pay day lending companies and provide substantial reform to pay day lending in the City of Columbia.  Aaron Johnson and Grant Robertson have been long standing advocates for pay day lending reform and have not affiliated themselves with any organizations that rely on predatory practices.  Said city council at-large candidate Grant Robertson, “The citizens of Columbia can expect us to not step down from any organization that we are involved with because we believe in the integrity of those relationships and the integrity of this campaign.”

And here’s one from Steve Benjamin about Bradley Anderson’s decision to retire as Columbia Fire Chief:

“I thank Chief Anderson for his many years of service to the people of Columbia. The boundless dedication and professionalism he brought to his job will be sorely missed.

Furthermore, let me congratulate Aubrey Jenkins on his appointment as Interim Fire Chief. He has some large shoes to fill but I am confident that with 30 years of fire suppression experience and community leadership under his belt that he will rise to the challenge.

I look at both of these men with their records of service and commitment to the city and I wonder why the city administration’s commitment to them, the Fire Department, and all of our first responders always seems to fall short.

The combined $9 million cuts from our police and fire department budgets still haven’t been restored. Atlas Road’s Engine Company 8 is still closed. First responders are still losing holiday pay and sick leave and now we hear there may be another 48 hour furlough.

I have a great respect for Chief Jenkins and I have no doubts that he will do a great job. As Mayor, I intend to make sure he and his firefighters have the tools they need to succeed.”