Sunday, August 18, 2002
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Sunday, August 18, 2002 |
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Wells calls for Stephens to leave the race
By JOHN
THOMPSON
In the latest twist in a bitterly-contested race, Fayette County Commissioner Linda Wells Friday afternoon called on Republican Primary opponent Thomas Stephens to withdraw from the race for County Commission Post 4. The election is this coming Tuesday. Stephens was teaching classes at Starr's Mill High School Friday. Attempts by The Citizen to reach him by telephone for comment before press deadline were unsuccessful. Wells' withdrawal call comes on the heels of a public outburst of temper by Stephens in the office of The Citizen newspaper Wednesday afternoon. Stephens voiced his displeasure at a receptionist and other newspaper employees for supposedly not publishing his candidate's statement in the paper's election issue Wednesday. But Stephens then learned his statement was on a different page of the paper and apologized for the incident. Stephens blamed his outburst on the stress of conducting a political campaign. [See publisher Cal Beverly's column about the incident on this page.] He later returned to the newspaper office with a potted plant and a two-sentence apology for the receptionist. "Please accept this humble apology for my anger," Stephens wrote on the floral card. "Kindest personal regards, Thomas Stephens." "I am concerned that if Mr. Stephens is having trouble coping with the rigors of campaigning he would be unable to handle the very real stresses associated with the job of county commissioner," Wells said. "I am hopeful that upon reflection, Mr. Stephens will agree that now is not the time for him to be seeking political office. Political rage, road rage, or any type of rage one exhibits against innocent people must be addressed. I hope that Mr. Stephens agrees." Wells added the commissioners are often confronted by disgruntled individuals and is concerned how he would react in those situations. She also was upset with how Stephens handled himself with the receptionist at the paper. "I am also concerned that his vulgar, abusive language and demeanor was focused at someone who was obviously not responsible for the situation, nor able to defend herself," Wells said. During this year's political season, Wells said Stephens has often yelled at candidates after political forums, but then quickly apologized.
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