For Immediate Release: Contact: Shar Halliburton at 313-467-1719 or Shardetroit@aol.com
Detroit, MI – July 9, 2009- Plagued with controversy from the start, this Detroit City Council race is quite a new spin on modern politics. Candidate Tamika Louise Gaines feels “Without huge pockets, name recognition, or huge endorsements, one is left out in the cold, even after constant efforts to run an successful political campaign”.
To add fuel to the flame, WXYZ’s, Chief Investigator, Steve Wilson recently charged veteran journalist, Mildred Gaddis with pay for play. Wilson’s investigation aired last Thursday, July 2 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on WXYZ. Wilson pointed out that 14 Detroit City Council candidates paid Gaddis $1,000 for the right to appear on the now canceled WADL ”Meet the Candidate” series , without disclosing the fact that it was a paid block program.
The $1,000 fee also included the airing and production of two 30 second commercial spots that were scheduled to appear on WADL. Federal Communications Commission requires that all paid block programing have a disclosure stating that the participants have paid to appear on the program. Wilson claimed that Gaddis was not up front and committed an act of fraud, according to FCC regulations, by not airing a disclosure before her "Meet the Candidate" series. In the end, Gaddis agreed that "it was neglectful , not fraudulent", that no disclosure statement appeared to inform the viewers that it was a paid block program Following the investigation, WADL and Gaddis have severed their business relationship.
Candidate Tamika Louise Gaines feels that it was unfair that candidates had to pay to be featured on Gaddis' program. "Mrs. Gaddis is a seasoned veteran in journalism,” stated Gaines. “She should know better.” Sorry is just not sufficient. “She does not let up on other politicians when they do something wrong." stated Gaines.
Gaines feels that since Gaddis is well respected and is “The Voice of Detroit “, she should feature all city council candidates on "Inside Detroit" with equal time to compensate for her neglect. “It is unfair to those candidates that did not have the funding. It is so difficult to successfully fund raise with today’s economic conditions.” said Gaines.
With less than a month before the August 4th primary, Gaines is focused on her ultimate goal, winning a seat on the Detroit City Council, She plans to continue with her door to door campaigning beginning on the east side and working her way to the west side of Detroit..
For more information regarding volunteering for Campaign Gaines for Detroit, please visit www.gainesfordetroit.com or call Shar Hallibuton at 313-467-1719.
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