Valentine’s team dealt with storm in 2011

To the editor,

I am a registered Democrat and it troubles me that that in the current mayoral campaign that the Democratic City Committee has become mired in the politics of negativity and to have not allowed truth to matter. Democrats have sent off a false and misleading attack on Bobby Valentine.

Here are the facts:

In January 2011, Bobby was asked by then-Mayor Mike Pavia to fill the vacant post as director of public safety. His salary was to be $10,000 and Bobby donated the entire salary to the Boys & Girls Club. It was also made clear that Bobby would continue to serve as a commentator for ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball,” which required him to be out of town some weekends. This arrangement was discussed at a press conference when Bobby was hired and approved by the Board of Representatives.

Bobby formed an Emergency Response Team in advance of Tropical Storm Irene to ensure the city was prepared for all contingencies. While the newspaper reported that Bobby was out of town during the storm they also commented on the efficiency and speed of his team in dealing with challenges as they arose.

I was a Democrat for Eisenhower when he ran for president as I believed you should vote for the best person regardless of party. That is why I am a Democrat for Bobby as he is the most qualified candidate for mayor of this city.