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Leaders rap Pressley's statements on candidatesBy Marcus Braziel NABJ Convention Online Staff On the eve of election day, a group of former NABJ officials and current officers that included past president Will Sutton chastised NABJ President Condace Pressley for comments she made about candidates Herb Lowe and Cheryl Smith. In an interview published Wednesday on nabjconvention.org, Pressley endorsed Mike Woolfolk, saying that Lowe did not have the necessary “skill-set” to be president and that she had “integrity issues” with Smith. Such remarks should not be tolerated, the group said during a press conference yesterday at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, the convention hotel. “Comments about the ongoing presidential campaign, which were published on NABJ Online for the nation to see, were beneath the standards that we’ve always tried to uphold and that the membership expects us to uphold,” said Sheila Brooks, reading from a statement issued by the group. “When leaders of an organization of NABJ’s stature issue statements that are in poor taste, the entire membership suffers.” The statement was signed by the group, among them former NABJ Vice President/Broadcast Tony Cox, current regional directors Bonnie Newman Davis and Ernie Suggs, George E. Curry, NABJ Journalist of the Year, and several chapter officers. “We are not supporting disparaging candidates. We don’t want this to be the face and voice of NABJ,” Sutton said. A discussion about Pressley’s remarks heated up a candidates forum earlier in the day. Treasurer-hopeful John Yearwood asked presidential contender Mike Woolfolk during the event if he was willing to denounce the statements. Woolfolk said he’s pleased and honored to have Pressley’s support, but that her statements were her own. “She’s a dear friend of mine,” Woolfolk said. “Her comments about my two opponents are exactly that -- her comments. And I had nothing to do with that.” Lowe and Smith did not comment on the remarks at the forum. Smith emphasized her many years of NABJ service in detailing her qualifications. With 15 years “in the trenches” as a supportive member, Smith said she understands the organization and where it needs to go. “I’ve made a number of strides as a member of this organization and in my professional career as well. I would like to see those strides make it across the country with this organization,” Smith said. Lowe, who ran for president two years ago, said he wants NABJ to be a source of pride for all members. “I am looking forward to restoring passion, purpose and pride to this organization so we can restore ourselves to a position of power,” he said. A total of 19 candidates spoke at the forum, which drew praise from members. “It was a chance to actually ask the candidates questions on a more personal level, to know that they’re equipped to handle the position that they’re running for,” said student member Nichole Joseph, who attends Columbia College in Chicago. Joy Buchanan, a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said she was impressed that the session concentrated on the candidates’ specific plans if elected. “I came away from it knowing who I would probably vote for,” Buchanan said. |
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