In an email receiving widespread distribution over the weekend, former Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd blasted city commission candidates John Ridley and Eric Tumperi, saying they “are running on the same negative and divisive platform.”
The email was sent by Floyd to outgoing Mayor Jim Baskett (the two served 17 years together on the city commission) who then forwarded it to several media outlets.
“There is nothing positive in [Ridley and Tumperi’s] comments or positions,” Floyd wrote. “The most disturbing thing is their attempt to divide this community by driving a wedge between the schools and the city.”
He concluded by naming his support for incumbent Scott Drake (District 1), Tony Powers (At large) and Brian Smith (District 2) in Tuesday’s city commission election. Powers and Ridley are running for the at-large seat being vacated by Baskett, while Tumperi’s running against Drake and Valencia Breedlove. Drake succeeded Floyd after winning a special election in March, 2013.
It does surprise me,” Ridley responded in a long email sent to the media, “that [Floyd] would use his position as an ex commissioner to make such hurtful and untruthful remarks about me [and] that my offering new, innovative, positive, and cost effective policy options was somehow divisive.”
He added that, “The current city commission and staff has repeatedly acted in a disrespectful manner towards the school system. My intention is to give the school system the support it needs.”
An email sent to local blog, Decaturish, and signed by “Tumperi Campaign Supporters,” stated their candidate’s campaign “operates[s] independently” and had no connection to Ridley’s.
In the same missive Tumperi is quoted, “I have known [Floyd] for nearly 25 years through our church, and have always been a big supporter of his and the city’s work … It is unfortunate that anyone would believe my intentions are to tear down or divide the city – what purpose would that serve?”
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