NBC4: Official Statement From Donna Watts-Brighthaupt
From NBC4:
Below is the official statement by Donna Watts-Brighthaupt regarding the incident involving Marion Barry:
July 5, 2009
LL of the City Paper has successfully collected my recount of the events leading up to Marion’s arrest.
I am dismayed, though not surprised to hear Natalie Williams’ press conference on July 5. Communications 101 taught to get your facts before making a public statement. It seems this recently hired public relations person chose loyalty over ethics and Marion will continue to be in the media hot seat until he chooses and sticks with competently great PR persons like her predecessor.
It is senseless to publicly and ‘officially’ accuse Marion of stalking after having a meal with him an hour earlier. Given his history with the US Park Police and the media, for the good of Ward 8, anyone in his camp should have advised that he seek more information. A positive solution may have avoided Ms. Williams having to stand on City Halls steps alone on a Sunday morning.
“A person familiar with the situation spoke to me…” and lied through Ms. Williams. Not even the key entities involved are familiar with this situation - we’re all trying to make sense of it. After leaving the station, I reluctantly returned the numerous calls of someone I’d hope would not demonstrate the negative traits Marion warned she had. It is unfortunate that Marion’s camp deemed her credible. That entire account by her was factually untrue.
I am disappointed that Marion chose to label me troubled. Any challenge life has tossed my way is faced head on with the full support of my family and true friends. I may or may not have a little more challenges than the average American, but this Ward 8 household’s strength, resilience and support sustains me. I charge him to find one person who doesn’t have a family member confronted with similar challenges in these trying times. If he feels he’s helped, logic would conclude that I would no longer be troubled. In addition, my youngest daughter’s extremely delinquent private school tuition would not be my primary concern today. Shameless plugs welcome anyone concerned and willing to contribute a ‘gift’ to settled her tuition.
It is unfortunate Marion feels ‘Betrayed’. If this emotion is real, I ask he take the time and really consume it in order to grasp an idea of how others feel. Then work harder to prevent further feelings of betrayal.
Ms. Williams falsely stated that I was a companion of Marion’s for several years. I reacquainted myself with Barry at his 2008 Campaign Kick-off. I shared with him a research project of mine titled “Ward 8 High School Seniors and the Uneducated Voter”. It questions if Ward 8 citizens take the initiative to educate themselves on relevant issues and candidate positions, or do they vote simply because their ‘grandma told them to’. Marion understood and initially accepted my primary goal to understand how he continued to win office. I asked if I could tag along and observe. He agreed.
After a short and stern discussion with my mother, I am reminded that those who truly know Marion Barry will not be so quick to condemn me. And of those who’ve taken the time to know me through Marion, will not be so quick to defend him.
I have in my possession detailed accounts; evidence filled and factually based colorful presentation style addressed binders ready for release. It was hastily put together with the goal of further weakening Marion’s credibility in an attempt to strengthen mine. After consulting with my family and concerned friends, I’ve now decided this isn’t the battle to choose. My primary focus is on my health, my finances, and most importantly the sanity and safety of my girls.
It was an uphill battle to get my 16 year old to see the importance of current events, civic education and how politics will always shape her life. I credit Councilmember-at-large Kwame Brown and his staff for giving her that opportunity. The experience last summer has infused her passion for the game. She now understands the simple art of obtaining ones political piece of pie. She enjoys simply watching Grey, Alexander and Thomas at work and glows if by chance they actually recognize and greet her in passing. I wouldn’t want her to build distaste for politics as a result of this unfortunate chain of events.
“Politics make strange bedfellows”
I like The City Paper, I welcome diversity, I hope a gay couple will move on my block, I understand the concerns of DCPS and fully support their efforts, Doris Kearns’ ‘Team of Rivals’ will serve every elected official well; I don’t mix religion with my politics, I generally support candidates Marion will not; I am a forced believer in prevention/rather than reaction, and I strongly believe in ownership- from ones’ home to ones’ actions. My conservative Blue Dog style independence and his ‘fight for the people’ rhetoric continuously attract.
I’ve spent a good deal of time defending a DC community, my DC high school, a DC University, and on travel, DC itself. I spent the past few days feverishly gathering information collected over the year that will position me for a public fight with Marion. And as stated to a crying crony after leaving the Park Police station, I’m not a loyalist- I am a pragmatist who has concluded that in a fight to sooth my ego and prove what the majority of Americans already perceive; the only winners will be the media.
Once prosecutors conclude their findings and substantiate their charge I could only hope that the consequences are just. There is wonderful development, concrete aspirations and achievable goals coming into fruition around my ward. I only hope replacing Marion with someone ‘green’ with anger would not impede our progress. Let us as a Ward in unison hope his future actions and reactions will reap success for what is worth reporting on; and that is whatever your issue is at your kitchen table.
In the end, it is he who strikes the pen until we vote again – I had the opportunity to offer Marion an alternative view shedding insight on a growing segment of Ward 8 – The Educated Voter.
Thank you
For more Congress Heights and River East news visit The Congress Heights Examiner website, http://www.examiner.com/x-13507-Congress-Heights-Community-Examiner
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Below is the official statement by Donna Watts-Brighthaupt regarding the incident involving Marion Barry:
July 5, 2009
LL of the City Paper has successfully collected my recount of the events leading up to Marion’s arrest.
I am dismayed, though not surprised to hear Natalie Williams’ press conference on July 5. Communications 101 taught to get your facts before making a public statement. It seems this recently hired public relations person chose loyalty over ethics and Marion will continue to be in the media hot seat until he chooses and sticks with competently great PR persons like her predecessor.
It is senseless to publicly and ‘officially’ accuse Marion of stalking after having a meal with him an hour earlier. Given his history with the US Park Police and the media, for the good of Ward 8, anyone in his camp should have advised that he seek more information. A positive solution may have avoided Ms. Williams having to stand on City Halls steps alone on a Sunday morning.
“A person familiar with the situation spoke to me…” and lied through Ms. Williams. Not even the key entities involved are familiar with this situation - we’re all trying to make sense of it. After leaving the station, I reluctantly returned the numerous calls of someone I’d hope would not demonstrate the negative traits Marion warned she had. It is unfortunate that Marion’s camp deemed her credible. That entire account by her was factually untrue.
I am disappointed that Marion chose to label me troubled. Any challenge life has tossed my way is faced head on with the full support of my family and true friends. I may or may not have a little more challenges than the average American, but this Ward 8 household’s strength, resilience and support sustains me. I charge him to find one person who doesn’t have a family member confronted with similar challenges in these trying times. If he feels he’s helped, logic would conclude that I would no longer be troubled. In addition, my youngest daughter’s extremely delinquent private school tuition would not be my primary concern today. Shameless plugs welcome anyone concerned and willing to contribute a ‘gift’ to settled her tuition.
It is unfortunate Marion feels ‘Betrayed’. If this emotion is real, I ask he take the time and really consume it in order to grasp an idea of how others feel. Then work harder to prevent further feelings of betrayal.
Ms. Williams falsely stated that I was a companion of Marion’s for several years. I reacquainted myself with Barry at his 2008 Campaign Kick-off. I shared with him a research project of mine titled “Ward 8 High School Seniors and the Uneducated Voter”. It questions if Ward 8 citizens take the initiative to educate themselves on relevant issues and candidate positions, or do they vote simply because their ‘grandma told them to’. Marion understood and initially accepted my primary goal to understand how he continued to win office. I asked if I could tag along and observe. He agreed.
After a short and stern discussion with my mother, I am reminded that those who truly know Marion Barry will not be so quick to condemn me. And of those who’ve taken the time to know me through Marion, will not be so quick to defend him.
I have in my possession detailed accounts; evidence filled and factually based colorful presentation style addressed binders ready for release. It was hastily put together with the goal of further weakening Marion’s credibility in an attempt to strengthen mine. After consulting with my family and concerned friends, I’ve now decided this isn’t the battle to choose. My primary focus is on my health, my finances, and most importantly the sanity and safety of my girls.
It was an uphill battle to get my 16 year old to see the importance of current events, civic education and how politics will always shape her life. I credit Councilmember-at-large Kwame Brown and his staff for giving her that opportunity. The experience last summer has infused her passion for the game. She now understands the simple art of obtaining ones political piece of pie. She enjoys simply watching Grey, Alexander and Thomas at work and glows if by chance they actually recognize and greet her in passing. I wouldn’t want her to build distaste for politics as a result of this unfortunate chain of events.
“Politics make strange bedfellows”
I like The City Paper, I welcome diversity, I hope a gay couple will move on my block, I understand the concerns of DCPS and fully support their efforts, Doris Kearns’ ‘Team of Rivals’ will serve every elected official well; I don’t mix religion with my politics, I generally support candidates Marion will not; I am a forced believer in prevention/rather than reaction, and I strongly believe in ownership- from ones’ home to ones’ actions. My conservative Blue Dog style independence and his ‘fight for the people’ rhetoric continuously attract.
I’ve spent a good deal of time defending a DC community, my DC high school, a DC University, and on travel, DC itself. I spent the past few days feverishly gathering information collected over the year that will position me for a public fight with Marion. And as stated to a crying crony after leaving the Park Police station, I’m not a loyalist- I am a pragmatist who has concluded that in a fight to sooth my ego and prove what the majority of Americans already perceive; the only winners will be the media.
Once prosecutors conclude their findings and substantiate their charge I could only hope that the consequences are just. There is wonderful development, concrete aspirations and achievable goals coming into fruition around my ward. I only hope replacing Marion with someone ‘green’ with anger would not impede our progress. Let us as a Ward in unison hope his future actions and reactions will reap success for what is worth reporting on; and that is whatever your issue is at your kitchen table.
In the end, it is he who strikes the pen until we vote again – I had the opportunity to offer Marion an alternative view shedding insight on a growing segment of Ward 8 – The Educated Voter.
Thank you
For more Congress Heights and River East news visit The Congress Heights Examiner website, http://www.examiner.com/x-13507-Congress-Heights-Community-Examiner
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