"Shame on Thelma Drake"

By: JMU Duke
Published On: 10/31/2008 8:45:42 AM

 Cross-Posted at: Enough is Enough VA

Alicia Fernandez-Bobulinski participated in Tuesday’s press conference denouncing Thelma Drake for profitting from the foreclosure of three homes in her district. She runs the Making a Difference Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps kids get into college through various tutoring and outreach efforts in the Hampton Roads area.

Kind enough to take my call with further questions about her situation, Alicia explained that she and her husband are on the verge of losing their home to foreclosure and that is why she decided to take a public stand against Thelma Drake’s actions.



“When I heard that Thelma Drake was profiting from people losing the roof over their heads, that made me very upset. I know the feelings that we feel are the same that others feel: shock, disbelief, shame, embarrassment and anger. The fact that she is a real estate agent and she took advantage of other people’s misery and hardship, to me it is not acceptable for someone who holds a position as high as a Congresswoman.”

Alicia’s husband is a Navy Veteran who developed a brain tumor after serving in Iran during the Iranian Revolution. They believe the tumor was the result of chemical weapons that were deployed during that conflict. Their non-profit has helped more than 60,000 kids prepare for college since 1990, but the economic downturn made it difficult to stay in their home, especially when their mortgage more than doubled.

“Our mortgage ballooned and we just can’t keep up, now we are just living on the edge, we don’t know if we’re going to be homeless or whatever.”

 

Alicia said she was glad to have the opportunity to tell her story at the press conference and she hopes the local media will focus their attention on what she believes is a conflict of interest for Thelma Drake.

“Sometimes with these things it appears as if it’s the good ole boy system closing up ranks and looking out for one another. The reporters said they want to give Thelma Drake a chance to respond, which is fair, but the people deserve to know what she’s been doing.”

Alicia thanked me for seeking her out and explained that she had nothing against Rep. Drake personally, she was just stunned and disappointed by her conduct.

“We deserve leaders who are honest and who will lead and represent us. I have grandchildren, I don’t want them living in an era where our politicians are people who are not honorable and who are not living for our best interest. Instead of working to prevent this and help, she did nothing and went in the other direction and was an opportunist.”

Thelma Drake should be ashamed for making money on misfortune of her own constituents, and she should have to face them and explain herself. Thanks to Alicia for taking my cold call and I wish her and the thousands across Virginia who are in her position the best of luck.

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