Metro Jacksonville

QuoteMayor backs Ahmed, but Holt withdraws support
Posted: April 26, 2010 - 7:08pm

By Tia Mitchell

Mayor John Peyton reiterated his support of Parvez Ahmed’s nomination to the Human Rights Commission Monday, but one councilman says he has decided to change his “yes” vote to a “no.”

Peyton sent a letter to each City Council member that outlined Ahmed’s credentials and also played down recent accusations that Ahmed, a University of North Florida finance professor and Fulbright scholar, has ties to terrorism.

“As to the allegations that Dr. Ahmed is anything less than an upstanding citizen, the Office of General Counsel has found no criminal complaints against him,” the mayor wrote. “In addition, he has received countless letters of reference from individuals who have known and work for him.”

The mayor said he doesn’t fault the City Council for taking its time to consider Ahmed’s nomination and ask questions, in advance of the confirmation vote at Tuesday night’s council meeting. The Rules Committee initially approved Ahmed’s nomination, but protests from anti-radical Islam groups led the full council to refer it back to Rules, which approved it again.

Peyton was worried about what he said were unfounded allegations being used to try to discredit Ahmed.

“My fear was that rumor and innuendo were carrying the day,” Peyton said.

Councilman Ray Holt said Monday that it is Ahmed’s own words that changed his mind.

Sunday afternoon, Holt sent Ahmed an e-mail after reading a story that dug into the opposition to Ahmed’s nomination. Holt said he was inspired to ask Ahmed one last question...

more...

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-04-26/story/mayor-backs-ahmed-holt-withdraws-support

Bet he doesn't withdraw his support for Waste Management!

Both issues come before full council tomorrow night, don't they?

Maybe Dr. Ahmed needs to endorse the WM contract?

I guess, to C/m Holt, doing research on the causes of cancer is an endorsement of the disease?

This is idiotic:

Quote“On one hand he says he abhors violence, but on the other hand he provides rationalizations or reasoning for it,” Holt said.

Can there be another person as ignorant as Clay Yarbourgh on City Council??  What does this mean in terms of the voting majority on this issue?  Is Ahmed still in?

All City Council members traded in their souls tonight and voted to pass the waste management buyout. I am sure someone will remember when they run again....

I'm not sure its that simple...I think they figured out that taking it to bid (which was probbly the right thing to do) would have cost the City lots more $....heck, the mediation deal is already millions more than the deal the Mayor had last year

^^^ Ah Professor, we didn't think there was anyone quite as ignorant, until Redman opened his big Baptist yap and then Glorious spouted some ridiculous crap of an excuse.  She lost my vote last night.

I saw and heard Redman... What did Glorious have to say?

I have an imbedded distrust of CAIR. Perhaps it is due to my foray into right wing indoctrination for a hot minute.

The Muslims I have known personally, though few, were among the loveliest of people. (without exception)