It's no secret that I'm not supporting Thelma Drake in the upcoming election. Until very recently, however, I have always defended her service to her constituents. It looks like all of that has changed.
On September 23, 2008, the Virginian Pilot printed a letter to the editor from local military spouse, Casey Spurr. Casey is a life long Virginia Beach resident married to a deployed Navy officer. This is her letter:
During Rep. Thelma Drake's current term of office, I wrote her about an urgent matter affecting my military family. She did not send so much as a form letter acknowledging my correspondence. And during her previous term, I contacted her once but received no response. Sens. Jim Webb and John Warner both responded within a week and acted with a sense of urgency and genuine concern. Though I have voted for her in the past, I will no longer support Drake for re-election.I refuse to accept the status quo. Drake has a formidable opponent this year in Glenn Nye, who represents a new generation of politicians. The only way we can change Washington is to unseat those who are not doing their jobs.
Casey SpurrVirginia Beach
In response, the Drake campaign sent in this letter to the Virginian Pilot:
Re "Falling down on the job," letter, Sept. 22:This is in response to the writer who complained about the lack of a response from Congresswoman Thelma Drake’s office.
On July 22, 2005, the writer contacted our district office by e-mail. Four days later, on July 26, a response was printed and mailed.
We received no other correspondence until about two weeks ago, when she called the Washington office about some questions she had on a piece of legislation. She then received a personal phone call from Congresswoman Drake to address her concerns. During that conversation, the writer never mentioned any lack of response she received from this office.
As the district chief of staff for Congresswoman Drake’s district office, I can assure you that we take pride in the way she always responds to her constituents, whether by mail, e-mail or phone.
Mary Lou Stone
Virginia Beach
Is it just me, or did Thelma Drake's District Chief of Staff call Ms. Spurr a liar?
Stephanie also blogs at MOMocrats.