A series of e-mails between Mayor Ron Littlefield and Mark West, president of the Chattanooga Tea Party, which is trying to recall Littlefield, shows a difference in opinion on Christian principles and whether the recall effort is a personal attack.
“I have regularly been attacked by the secular left, but I am a bit more sensitive when I am attacked by the Christian right,” Littlefield wrote in an e-mail to West. “You cannot deny that you have intentionally supported such a smear campaign.”
The e-mail exchanges were released to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Tuesday morning after filing an open records request.
The exchanges happened two weeks ago after an attempt by a third individual to arrange a meeting between Littlefield and West, the e-mails show.
In his reply to Littlefield’s e-mail, West said he would be back in touch with the mayor to suggest a time and place.
“I am also making this a matter of prayer and seeking the Lord’s direction and will in this matter,” West wrote.
West has said a meeting never took place.
Littlefield blasted the recall campaign in his response to the e-mail about the proposed meeting, saying West personally attacked him. He also said that West made it known in Republican circles that he planned on an “intimidation” campaign.
West has helped raise the hate level in Chattanooga to “red,” Littlefield wrote in the e-mails.
“I believe that you are in violation of the laws of God and man,” Littlefield wrote. “Your political tactics are unacceptable.”
For more information, read tomorrow’s Times Free Press.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
It isn't just the "far right" that is working to recall Littlefield.
He has the gall to allege hatemongering when he (and/or his campaign staffers) never hesitated in his prior campaign to encourage false rumors (beneficial to him) about Ann Coulter's relgious beliefs. We'd be far better shape now had she won.
It is my opinion that he is a fairly good example of good old boy bigotry. He is doing the same thing to the teaparty folks, trying to cast apersion on their theology as a ploy to discredit the recall. Please, give us a break, resign and repent Mr. Littlefield.
Tea Party. Don't ya just love them little critters?
“I believe that you are in violation of the laws of God and man,” Littlefield wrote.
Really Ron? What kind of man of God forces tax increases upon people who have not seen cost of living increases in their paychecks in over 5 years?
What kind of man of God doesn't care if his new taxes add new burdens upon the elderly and retirees who have not seen cost of living increases?
What kind of man of God tries to sway the opinion of a judge towards a conviction instead of allowing the due process of the courts take it's course.
What kind of man of God coerces people to become citizens of his city with forced annexation instead of allowing them to choose freely?
What kind of man of God gives a sweetheart tax break to VW and shifts the city's lack of revenue from VW not paying onto every other business in Chattanooga?
What kind of man of God think placing scrap metal sculptures that just sit on a lawn and do nothing but sit there and look pretty is more important than dealing with Chattanooga's growing gang and violent crime problems?
What kind of man of God creates a new division in city government simply to give a 6 figure job to the daughter of one his long time political pals?
I'm sorry Ron, but your actions show you not to be the "good Christian man" you and all your out of town friends on these boards keep saying you are.
It's your elitist actions Ron that have lead to the recall.
Your inability to listen to the people of Chattanooga, and your power mongering to rule over them and force your will and agenda upon them, and failure to do the will of the people and of represent them, that has led to your recall.
RON LITTLEFIELD IS A PIMP !
Oh and by the way Ron, I'm a democrat, even voted for you in the last election, and I am thankful there is a recall method because clearly I and every other democrat who bought into your campaign sales pitches bought a lemon.
Your attempt to characterize the entire recall effort as Tea Party hate mongers, is also false.
Your attempt to characterize the entire recall effort as Tea Party hate mongers, is also false. Username: Gardener | On: August 31, 2010 at 5:48 p.m.
Ron told the truth and in time this will be brought forward to the public as well in the court case.
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