While we are on the subject, here’s Mayoral candidate Paul Goldman’s very clear statement on Echo Harbour (don’t you wish Mr. Pantele would be so definitive and forthcoming?). From a press release received today:

*****
Goldman for Mayor – 13 June 08 – For Immediate Release

Goldman opposes Echo Harbor says “Grey/Jones/Pantele can run but they can’t hide” as Joe Louis pointed out many years ago.”

Goldman says that “as lawyers, my friends Mr. Grey and Mr. Pantele know that silence is considered acceptance” in these kinds of matters.

(Richmond) – Paul Goldman, candidate for Mayor, said today that “it is telling that I remain the only leading candidate for Mayor willing to protect the Riverfront and all it means to the future of our City by stating my clear and principled opposition to the Echo Harbor project that continues to receive political aid and comfort from my opponent’s continued refusal to join me in public opposition.”
In a statement, Paul continued:

“Given the news in today’s RTD concerning yet another twist and turn as regards City Hall and it’s activities over time, the Echo Harbour proceeds apace.

Indeed, as the project’s lawyer, James W. Theobald told the RTD today, the “the original plan” is the one they are still determined to build.

Clearly, the continued silence of Mr. Grey, Mr. Jones and Mr. Pantele is giving him and the Echo Harbour developers hope that should any of them get to be Mayor, then the sky is the limit (to use a pun) for this High Rise project that will destroy one of the great scenic treasures of Richmond.

So while I am the only candidate willing to do the right thing and state my public, principled opposition to Echo Harbour, and thereby protect the Riverfront for future generations, I believe the public is on my side.

It is time to say No, once and for all, to Echo Harbour.”

I have posted at least two press releases from Paul Goldman on the mwnn site. You know this, because you posted one of them.

http://monroeward.org/2008/05/28/bill-pantele-announces-his-candidacy-for-mayor/
8. posted by Don at June 2, 2008 2:24 pm


Since this site won’t post news and campaign positions for other candidates, here is a press release I received today from the Goldman campaign:…

Goldman for Mayor – 2 June 08- For Immedite Release:

Later today I will post a list of all candidates on the Monroe Ward site. Other than that I will not use that as a campaign site for any candidate.

Paul, which is it? You seem to have all in the time in the world to offer your opinion of my writing on every comment section in town. But you don’t have the time to answer a simple question here:

Over at the Monroe Ward Neighborhood site, you inform readers that you will be working to elect Bill Pantele as Mayor. And here you tell us you aren’t.

Please tell us which is the truth.

I think Bill Pantele has done a good job as City Council president lowering taxes, supporting the schools and local business, hiring the city auditor and uncovering waste in city hall and the school district.

Don’t be disingenuous. You know you quizzed my about this in a half dozen emails. Do you really think I would sell my soul for the vast sum of money I am paid to telemarket a newspaper. What gives you the right to assassinate any body’s character. You’ve never met me or know anything about me. The most substantive criticism you have made is my poor typing. You don’t owe me anything, but you owe your reader a lot more. I have been blogging for 5 years and writing for much longer, but sincerity can’t be measured in words or years. My blogs speak for themselves, both good and bad.

You don’t have to print everything, just a few critical opinions would be interesting. I do have to thank you for boosting my ratings. I personally have stopped reading SR, but I appreciate your recent comments on LAOTC.

Don, it’s not a bad idea to have a comment area. I tend to hit sites more often if they have that.

You can support whoever you want. My opinion is just that, an opinion. Someone must think Bill is doing a good job. He keeps getting elected, despite the opposition of the local media giant who endorsed his opponent. I don’t open up the editorial page to get my opinion. I have found Don quick on the draw and short on substance.

Also my reference to a barely read website was my own, not his. I encourage discussion, he doesn’t allow any.

1. Pantele ran as an “incumbent” in that campaign with signs that read “re-elect” Pantele which was wholly false as he was appointed by the council at the time and never had been elected to anything.
2. The Richmond Homebuilders Association was a group I met with when I announced my candidacy. The never had any intention of supporting anyone but Pantele and in a shady exchange with their legislative person I was taken to lunch, offered a “job’ running another campaign in the 9th district at the time and $5000 to drop out of the race. Although Pantele can claim to have no involvement in this it shows you the lengths these people will go to to keep him in office because they know he will be an ardent supporter or their agenda. So who is tied to the buisiness community?
3. I brought up in a debate that I felt the Performing Arts Center was wasted resources on a service for affluent whites from the suburbs and the response from Pantele was that minorities enjoy the arts too. Probably not at $40 a head for tickets.
4. Pantele’s cronies stood outside of my polling place and when I went to vote offered some propoganda on their candidate. When I said that I already knew who I was voting for the D-bag responded “oh going to vote for your drinking buddy?” which lead to a less than favorable exchange and is representative of his organization.
5. Pantele promised to address issues with scumbag landlords in the fan that college students have to deal with. I haven’t seen any fruits of this rather we have the party gestapo. As a homeowner I can understand the rational for their exsistence but where is the action on the scumlords?
6. Pantele is simply not that exciting as a candidate, somewhat socially akward seeming, tied to the FDA at the hip, too spineless to buck the corporate interests in the city, and lacks creative ideas and vision to lead us in a positive direction. He should stay a councilman because he just isn’t that stimulating and less than adequate as a candidate for city wide office.

I assume that the blog that you started is an official arm of this major media company? The one where you make political endorsements… badmouth other bloggers who fail to properly play booster for large projects initiated by Richmond’s “business community”… and lobby for unrestricted development along the river. That one.

Please explain more. Fascinating. Who’da thunk?

Edg: About Pantele: You forgot to mention the Party Patrol… soon to be expanded citywide.

Arts Center
Echo Harbor
Ties to developers

I work for a major media company that did not endorse Bill Pantele in his last election. Where to you word Don?