In this long letter, Sullivan says that the check was related to an event called Worshipfest that she helped organized, but that bombed. Some people didn’t get paid, apparently. Then Sullivan goes on to blame “radical elements” of her own Republican Party for making a big deal out of the whole deal. Sullivan says party members didn’t appreciate her tolerance, her open admiration of Barak Obama, and more. Read on…
An open letter to the Citizens of Asheville:
Last night I was arrested and handcuffed on the charge of writing a simple worthless check in the amount of $1,500.
As you all know, I am running for City Council this year, and that puts a public face on something which would be an otherwise private matter. Although I believe that I have done my best to resolve the situation quietly and with what I believe to be due diligence, there are certain people out there who want to take advantage of this situation for their own political gain. The timing of this attack, less than a week before the primary, is telling.
Although the matter is now before the courts, I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the course of events as I see them. Earning and maintaining the trust of the people of Asheville is my paramount
concern, and I do not want anything to jeopardize that dialogue or that relationship. As personally
embarrassing and degrading as this situation is for me, as voters you have a right to know all the facts so you can be fully informed come election day.
Let me start at the beginning. In January of this year, a group of five well-intentioned church representatives asked me to help organize a multi-cultural, inter-denominational festival here in Asheville. I know most of them well, and they knew that I had the interpersonal skills necessary to bring folks of different backgrounds and religions and races together for a common purpose. As a result, the six of us formed an umbrella organization named “The Church of Western North Carolina” and this council was empowered to make the necessary plans for what we were calling “WorshipFest 2007.”
For those of you who know me, you know that I have a gregarious personality and am comfortable in leadership roles. I like to make things happen. This was no different. My belief in the project led me to assume the job of Communications Director; as the group’s “front man,” I was responsible for marketing the event, entering into agreements on its behalf and providing its point of contact.
As is often the case at the outset of a project, enthusiasm levels ran high. People were really
excited at the idea of bringing different folks together from different parts of the country in a
spirit of celebration and ecumenism. Plans were made and budgets were drawn up. We started making
arrangements for the big day.
But as the months marched on, the initial good intentions of the group gave way to personality
conflicts and turf battles. Looking back, other red flags went up. Promises of financial support from the group were not honored. Responsibilities were not carried out. But the work had to go on, as people were relying on us. I and some others continued to pour our time and resources into the project to salvage what we could, but as the day approached, things began falling apart quickly.
Stewart Sound was contracted 3 days before the event after learning that we were being overcharged by
$20,000.00 from the previous sound company. Because the date was so close, Chad wanted the bill paid in full. I told him that the money was not there as of now, but I was promised the money and was sure it would be there before on the day of the show. The day of the event, the promised funds were not there, but Chad was promised by Wendell Blair, that if he would go ahead with the show, he would be paid and Chad agreed. But, Stewart Sound did not go forward — and I believe, reneged on their contract — and left us empty-handed. Although we tried our best to go on, the show was clearly not what people had in mind and we ended up having to refund our ticket sales. It was a disaster.
Chad also attempted to contact Wendell the next day asking for payment, but was told that he would not be paid because he did not do the work. Even though that is true, I made the decision to ensure Chad did not lose any money, so payments have been made. Early on, before things fell apart, one of the organizers was written a check to reimburse her for some expenses related to advertising. It was mutually agreed that she would hold the check until after all was said and done, until after the vendors were paid. Now, this person has changed her tune. She’s pressing the case despite the fact that we all suffered financially.
I never anticipated a large return for the charities for whom we were raising money, of course, but there was an understanding among the group that we went in this venture together and that we would share collectively both in its success and, if necessary, its loss. That didn’t happen. When the event went south, no one else was there to step up to the plate and share responsibility. They scattered like rats and I was left holding the bag.
In hindsight, I should have washed my hands of it when I saw those warning signs and walked away, but I didn’t. In that I clearly made a mistake in judgement. Another mistake I made was believing in the initial good intentions of those around me. In that I guess I was a little naive. These people were
only looking to make a quick buck on the back of the church.
Another mistake I made was not anticipating that this situation — one I believed to be more akin to an unfortunate business venture than anything else — would be used against me for political purposes. But it has, and not by whom you might think. In the course of the last weeks, I have come to learn that this situation is being exploited by certain of the more radical members of my own political party. They have been actively spreading rumors and innuendo, further instigating the situation with the intention of forcing me to withdraw my candidacy. I believe that it has been with their active manipulations and string-pulling that this matter has escalated from a private, civil matter to a public smear.
To understand this matter fully requires a lesson in the dynamics and history of the party here in
Buncombe County…but suffice it to say, they didn’t see me coming. I represent a new kind of Republican here in Asheville — someone who believes in tolerance, inclusion, and multiculturalism. I’m a strong black woman who believes everyone should be at the table no matter who they are and I’ll fight to my last breath to be sure every voice is heard. That’s the problem.
I’m a threat to some the more extreme elements in our party who happen to shout the loudest, get the most press, and sadly — try to control the agenda — because I speak my mind. I don’t agree with some of their views or their tactics and now they know it. I won’t be told how to think by a bunch of bigots, be them Democrat or Republican.
Maybe it was the fact that I clearly stated my admiration for Barack Obama in the most recent issue
of the Mountain Express; maybe it was my statement the other night on Matt Mittan’s show about my
openness to the idea of benefits for the domestic partners of city employees, I don’t know. I do know
many people in my own party see me and my campaign as a threat to the “purity” of the Republican party. They see me able to bring folks of all races, backgrounds, faiths, lifestyles and even political parties together and they don’t like it one bit.
So, on top of everything else, I’m dealing with an ambush from radical elements inside the Republican
party, made up ironically of some former good-ole boy George Wallace Democrats. They’ve purposely fanned the flames of a private matter to try and ruin me politically. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t count on my resilience or my resolve. I will not be bullied into abandoning my candidacy.
I ask for your understanding, your patience, and your prayers as this matter all gets sorted out.
Respectfully,
Selina Sullivan
Candidate for Asheville City Council
