Hurley Just Can't Stop With Dumb Missteps & Commissioner Randy Ellis Responds

Julia Hurley released a long email to her list explaining and rehashing her finer moments. Almost immediately her version of Pepper in the courthouse was disputed by County Commissioner Randy Ellis who was present at the incident with Hurley and Pepper. Remember, Hurley first alleged that Pepper was "her service dog".

Anyhoo, here is the email and below in case you haven't seen it and need to laugh out loud and below that is Commissioner Ellis response.


From: Julia C Hurley
Date: June 24, 2012 2:31:53 PM EDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Clarification (Please Read)

Friends, supports, and voters,

I have given writing this letter a lot of thought. I have debated in my mind even trying to explain or combat the attacks I have been receiving in any way. I feel it is necessary to set the record straight on several issues regarding the liberal news media and its' very wrong view of this campaign and the last two years of service we have all worked so hard to give for this district in Nashville.
Let me first begin by saying that this letter will be sent to all press. I am not in any way trying to say or accomplish anything without the public being aware of these statements. I have not and will not ever try to hide anything from the very people to I vowed to work for.

Issue 1. I am well aware that yelling at a police officer is incorrect. I also sent letters of apology to not only Trooper Brown herself, but to the Director of Safety with whom I have the utmost respect and work very well with and will continue to work with in Nashville. Did either one of those acts make it to the front page?
Has the liberal news or any challenger stopped to think yes Representative Hurley lost her cool, but Trooper Brown is the sister of Dennis Ferguson's campaign manager, and she just beat them. The officer's comment to the Representative upon approaching the vehicle stating, "I know who you are, Miss. Hurley" without the Representative saying anything at all about being an elected official? Have the liberal news given credit to the fact that Julia Hurley paid the ticket, apologized and went on to pass some of the top Transportation and Safety legislation in the 107th General Assembly?

Issue 2. Representative Hurley carved her initials in her desk in Nashville. Yes, she did. If you have ever visited Nashville or Washington D.C. you will see MANY names and initials carved into the tops, sides, legs and inside drawers of desks with over a hundred years of history. Not only did this make front page news, the liberal media decided to associate Representative Hurley as being a vandal, while two hundred years of history has shown this to be a traditional act in all aspects of Legislators services. On top of admitting that she did this, Representative Hurley paid to have the entire desk revamped. Something that no other legislator has ever been asked to do or been attacked in the media for doing.

Issue 3. Bringing a dog into the Roane County Courthouse. Yes, she did. Pepper Hurley, the dog in question, is a wonderful companion. Hairless, hypoallergenic, toothless and quiet. Upon entrance into the courthouse Property Assessor Teresa Kirkham had just left with her two dogs, leaving behind their dog beds and two mice were just brought in the the courthouse to feed the 4-H pet snake held on the third floor. On top of the lack of any sign that forbid any animals or dogs from the courthouse, Representative Hurley brought hers in. The accusations by Randy Ellis that this canine could cause allergies or bite someone quickly became front page news and prompted a response from the County Executive after a month of news stories that ,"maybe it was taken a little out of hand" in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Maybe? If this were such an issue, where were the front page stories on Ms. Kirkham or for that matter the attacks on the entire 4-H program for having animals of any kind? Did Representative Hurley apologize? Yes. Did your Representative make sure to say it would not happen again and try to move past this issue? Yes. Is the liberal news media and current opposition continuing to bring these issues up instead of debating and speaking on actual issues? Yes.

Issue 4. Having my dog held safely in two arms, air-swimming in a car. If you are a pet owner, you know this is ludicrous. I cannot even imagine what the people who accuse Representative Hurley of abusing her dog consider abuse. Are these the same people that leave their pet outside in hot or cold weather? Do they also clothe their dogs? Feed them gluten-free food? Bathe them daily after having to wear 100spf sunscreen from being in the sun? Let their canine sleep in their bed so they do not shiver at night? I feel it necessary to say these things, because I love my pet. I take care of things I care about... much like the 32nd District. I fight for the things I care for and I will always fight for the Conservative cause and for the people who put their trust in my ability to do this job.

This is an exceedingly long email and my apology for it,however; I feel unless some explanation is given that we as a district will continue to focus on these matters without looking at the future of the true conservative leadership and voting record of Representative Julia Hurley. I am 30 years of age. I have many years of leadership left to give and help build the Conservative future Tennessee needs to guard against over 150 years of liberal laws. Without current, young conservatives, the future of the Republican party will never make it. My voting record is solid. My bills are some of the best written and defended in this great state we live in. I am, and will always do what is best for our people and look forward to moving past these personal attacks and get down to brass tacks with better DUI legislation, more strict drug laws, and creating jobs by eliminating the stress on private businesses. Government is not the answer to any of our economic issues and I believe and will work toward lessening the size of this government and putting my faith back in the people of the great state of Tennessee. It is certainly an honor to serve you and I truly wish to continue to serve you. I thank you for your continued support.

If you or anyone you know would like to view legislation or have ideas, please visit my website http://www.hurley4house.com

Please feel free to contact me at any time. My phone is always on and my door is always open.
--
State Representative Julia C. Hurley

And now Commissioner Ellis setting the Hurley record straight.

It seems Miss. Julia Hurley is mistaken in her "clarification" email She stated

The accusations by Randy Ellis that this canine could cause allergies or bite someone quickly became front page news and prompted a response from the County Executive after a month of news stories that ,"maybe it was taken a little out of hand" in the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Here is my exact statement to the paper. Link...

“My son is allergic to cats, and he gets really asthmatic,” County Commissioner Randy Ellis said. “You could be standing in line beside somebody at the courthouse that has a real bad allergic reaction to a dog. We just don’t know the situation.”

I never made any "accusations" that would prompt a response from the County Executive. As you can read in the above referenced link. The County Executive seen Miss. Hurley and her dog in the Court House and instructed security to remove the dog.

Miss. Julia Hurley has completely misstated the actions of this incident. At no time did I ever state the dog could "bite someone"

There comes a time when we as adults and elected officials should accept responsibility for our mistakes and move on and not continuously blame others for our lapse in judgment.
--
Randy Ellis
Roane County Commissioner District 2