{"id":49939,"date":"2014-03-22T09:13:24","date_gmt":"2014-03-22T16:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theavtimes.com\/?p=49939"},"modified":"2014-03-25T12:09:56","modified_gmt":"2014-03-25T19:09:56","slug":"lancaster-mayor-apologizes-after-hit-mailer-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2014\/03\/22\/lancaster-mayor-apologizes-after-hit-mailer-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"Lancaster mayor apologizes after \u2018hit mailer\u2019 backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Parris<\/a>
Click image to view Parris’ Facebook response in full.\u00a0Click here<\/a>
to view the political mailer that generated the backlash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LANCASTER \u2013 Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris <\/strong>apologized Friday after\u00a0<\/strong>backlash over a political mailer he produced, which claimed City Council candidate Johnathon Ervin<\/strong> was a \u201cgang candidate\u201d who had led an \u201canti-law enforcement protest.\u201d View the mailer here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"(L<\/a>
(L to R) Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris and Lancaster City Council candidate Johnathon Ervin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The apology came after an Associated Press story, titled \u201cLancaster mayor blasted for ‘gang candidate’ claim,\u201d<\/em> was printed in newspapers across the country and some abroad. (Read our initial story here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

In a lengthy letter posted Friday to his Facebook page, Parris explained his reasoning behind the campaign flyer, which many have dubbed a \u201chit mailer.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said his message had been \u201cmiscast in the ugliest possible racial terms\u201d and concluded his letter by \u201capologizing for any perceived slight or insult to our citizens.\u201d Read the entire letter below:<\/p>\n

I am saddened and dismayed by comments I’ve seen on social media and in the news in the last 24 hours. The topic under discussion is the political mailer I sent to registered voters discussing candidate John Ervin. The message has been miscast in the ugliest possible racial terms by those with a political agenda. The African American Leadership Council and I met. They persuaded me to clarify my statements.<\/p>\n

Racism has no place in local governance. Ervin calling me a racist is not unusual. He once accused me of being a racist because my administrative assistant is African American. But here, the \u201crace card\u201d is played to divert attention from the mailer\u2019s true message.<\/p>\n

Just a few years ago, crime was rampant, gang activity went unchecked and our streets were unsafe. The city council initiated numerous programs to address these problems, at every step \u2013 John Ervin \u2013 opposed every measure; every idea we put forth. He opposed stopping Section 8 abuse, he opposed stopping gangs from wearing their colors on our streets, he opposed removing 2,000 pit bulls from our streets, and he opposed our right to pray at council meetings. This is why I labeled him the \u201cgang candidate.<\/p>\n

Some question my use of a photo in the mailer taken at the memorial honoring the memory of the late Trayvon Martin \u2013 an event I was unable to attend but supported. Some see this as hypocrisy; Ervin is crying \u201cracist.\u201d The facts are that some people used the march as a protest against law enforcement. I was disturbed by the many signs that read: \u201cNo Justice\/No Peace.\u201d I saw a threat in that sentiment. I still do.<\/p>\n

Ervin organized the event, took out the permit for the event and gave the microphone to some speakers to slander our deputy sheriffs. I was offended by this as were many of the people who supported the march. All of us should be offended by this, people of every race.<\/p>\n

Murderers!? These are the people who keep us safe! In their service and dedication to duty, they are not so different from the brave men and women who serve in our military overseas. Yet Mr. Ervin, so eager to remind us of his service in uniform, did nothing to denounce those in his march who demeaned and insulted our deputies. Hypocrisy, indeed!<\/p>\n

Ervin sent out mailers of his own, to Republican high propensity voters proudly showing him standing next to Republican leaders proclaiming that he\u2019s pro-law-enforcement \u2013 a stance that is belied by his past behavior. His mail to Republicans shows him shooting a handgun claiming he supports the right of people to carry guns. Yet, he is a Democrat and supports his party\u2019s platform opposing people\u2019s right to carry concealed weapons.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll conclude by apologizing for any perceived slight or insult to our citizens. The mailer\u2019s message might not be eloquent, but it remains an important message.<\/strong> I stand by it. I urge every voter in Lancaster to ignore the racial epithets and political posturing, and look to the deeper truth.<\/p>\n

R. Rex Parris<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Editor\u2019s Note<\/span>: Parris supported, but did not attend the \u201cHoodie March,\u201d yet he continues to insist that a speaker at the march labeled local sheriff\u2019s deputies as \u201cmurderers.\u201d \u00a0In our recollection of the march, the only speaker who referenced the local sheriff\u2019s department was Parris\u2019 Human Tapestry Relations Commissioner Dr. Miguel Coronado<\/strong>. Coronado was appointed to the Lancaster Sheriff\u2019s Station\u2019s Community Advisory Committee this year. We caught up with Coronado on Thursday, and he said, while he could not recall his formal speech at the march, he didn\u2019t believe he used the terms \u201cmurderers\u201d and \u201cthugs.\u201d Other media reports have stated that Coronado is on a leave of absence from his post as a Lancaster city commissioner while his comments are being investigated. While there is no video online of Coronado’s speech at the Hoodie March, there is video of an interview conducted with Coronado just before the march began. View it below.<\/p>\n