Rumor Control Hotline

Rumor: I'm engaging in negative campaigning

davietv — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:27:18 +0000

Source: Judith Paul
Status: False
Comment: This is my fourth campaign for public office in the past ten years, all in the Town of Davie. I've used dozens of mailers and handouts, and even a few cable TV ads, directed toward many thousands of Davie Residents. In all that time, the number of negative political advertisements I've used remains the same, at exactly zero. The closest I've come to saying anything remotely derogatory about an opponent are candidate "comparison" pieces which contrast candidate positions. My comparison pieces are thoroughly fact checked and confined to real substantive issues, relevant to the position being sought. I have seen negative campaign pieces sent by others. The two pieces I've seen directed against Judith Paul appear factually accurate, although I did not check the source cited. However, I did not send them, and did not see them before they appeared in my mailbox.

Pursuant to Florida Statutes, any campaign literature I send contains the words, "Political advertisement paid for and approved by Tom Truex for Mayor of Davie." If it doesn't say this, I didn't send it.
I hate to say something could never happen, but it is extremely unlikely that someone would falsely state that I published campaign material if I did not do so. The negative campaign literature which I've seen directed against my opponent indicates its source on the item.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Rumor: I want to eliminate police pensions and not give the pay raises which are in the existing contract

davietv — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:07:39 +0000

Source: F.O.P. #100
Status: False. Political dirty trick.
Comment: If their website is any indication, even the F.O.P. union is backing off their initial claim that I wanted to eliminate their pension benefits and withhold pay raises in an approved contract. Since the original false claims about me in their email blasts were so thoroughly debunked, it would be nice if they sent a retraction as to the rumor. However, if you are reading this page, you are just one click away from reading my position on union benefits. I've devoted the last eight years of my life serving Davie. Please spend the next eight minutes of your life by going to my blog at www.davie.tv to get my perspective on the nasty and untrue rumors which were widely circulated about me.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Rumor: I'm not a "full time" Mayor

davietv — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:50:07 +0000

Source: Judith Paul
Status: "Doublespeak" ( *click* for Wikipedia definition)
Comments: This rumor is pretty heavily implied from Judith Paul's emphasis on a claim that she would be a "full time" mayor. Note the following:

I've worked hard my entire adult life (and a good deal of my life before that), and I'm proud of it. Being a small business owner and mayor means that I need to work six days and a good many evenings every week. I take the word "service" in "public service" quite literally.
- Section 7(F)(2) of Davie's charter states, "Powers and duties of mayor. The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the town for all ceremonial purposes and recognized by the courts for the purposes of serving civil processes but shall have no administrative duties."
- Section 6 of Davie's Charter says that the administrative duties of the town shall be conducted by the Town Administrator. All Town employees report to the Administrator.
- Section 2-42 of Davie's Code of ordinances prohibits the Mayor or Council members from interfering with the Town Administrator's authority.
- Quite literally, the Town Administrator is responsible for the day to day administration of the Town. The Town Administrator directs all Town Staff and proposes a budget to the Mayor and Town Council for their approval. The Mayor and Town Council are additionally responsible for the Town's broad policy direction. The relationship of elected officials and Town Administration is occasionally misunderstood by people, such as my opponent in this election. I have heard her boast that she would "micro manage" the Town as Mayor--a technique almost universally regarded as bad management, and contrary to Davie's Charter and Code of Ordinances.
Judging from my opponent's past history on the Town council, I am quite certain that I can exceed her "full time" status mile for mile, hour for hour. Again, with history as my only guide, I acknowledge that my opponent's capacity to travel out of town on taxpayer funded junkets, exceeds the time I will spend on such trips.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Rumor: I don't like motorcycles or people who ride them

davietv — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:41:50 +0000

Source: unconfirmed
Status: False
Comment: I've attended a number of events held by and for motorcyclists. In my younger days, I owned and rode motorcycles. I have publicly advocated for non-discriminatory treatment of motorcycle related businesses in Town zoning ordinances. In general, I'd say I like motorcyclists in the same proportion as I like people who drive cars or who eat ice cream. In the past I have declined to participate in some motorcycle related events on Sunday morning which conflicted with my attending church with my family and teaching Sunday School class. I support police efforts in enforcing state statutes relating to illegal use of motorcycles by unlicensed/underage riders and illegal use of off-road vehicles.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Rumor: I'm not running for Re-election

davietv — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:35:53 +0000

Source: Judith Paul
Status: False
Comment: I'm running for re-election right now.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.