James Perry 2010 - Mayor for a City that Works

www.jamesperry2010.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:  January 7, 2010

James Perry Responds to Mayor Nagin’s Attacks this Morning on WBOK
Again Refuses to Embrace Divisive Nagin-Henry

NEW ORLEANS – Nonprofit executive and candidate for Mayor James Perry today issued a statement in response to Mayor Nagin’s attacks this morning on WBOK radio.

“Less than twelve hours after Troy Henry falsely invoked my name in his racially charged political stunt, Mayor Ray Nagin went on WBOK to attack me for not supporting Henry in his attempt to exploit the fears of black voters,” said Perry.

“They’re apparently playing as a political ‘tag team’ in this Mayor’s Race. Troy Henry’s trying to secure his future with Ray Nagin’s help; perhaps Ray Nagin sees Troy Henry as the best opportunity to preserve his ’legacy’.”

“I’m not playing from the same political playbook as Troy Henry and Ray Nagin. I don’t want to continue down the path that Nagin has set for New Orleans, which is a path as divisive as it is destructive, a path that is sown by racial mistrust and suspicions on both sides.”

“I’m an African-American who has spent his entire career working in the trenches on civil rights, standing up for people’s rights and fighting against racial discrimination. I know the difference between real progress for our people and the Nagin/Henry political rhetoric, which adds nothing of substance to the discussion of race in this city.”

“Mayor Nagin and Troy Henry’s approach is the exact opposite of the approach President Obama has taken on race relations. The Nagin/Henry approach takes us backwards, not forward as a city.”

“Attacking the media and sowing seeds of distrust won’t make a difference on our crime rate, on job creation, or on race relations.  Taking a stand with some new ideas and plans for the future will.”

“I’m the only candidate in this campaign–the only candidate, white or black–to address those urgent issues with a detailed plan for recovery and reform. Neither Troy Henry nor Mitch Landrieu have addressed those issues adequately. I have.”

“When I am elected Mayor of New Orleans it will not be because the voters of this great city decided I was the best black candidate. It will be because of the content of my character, my vision for where I want to take this city and our people – both black AND white, and the hope that my vision represents.”

James Perry has the executive experience as a non-profit CEO to navigate city hall and the courage to fix what needs to be fixed. He has a record of building coalitions, building organizations, and making a real difference in people’s lives, whether it’s helping homeowners, fighting discrimination or standing up to politicians and exposing corruption.