Updated: Dec. 8 7:45 pm
Tweet This! http://mync.com/site/45493/
Singer Clay Aiken is responding to the allegations he illegally voted in the Wake County School Board Election.
Records show Aiken voted in October using the address of his mother’s home in Raleigh, where he once lived. He now has a home in nearby Chatham County.
The allegations were filed in November by a conservative group and the Wake Republican Party.
Tuesday Aiken responded on his blog by saying that his registration is valid, but he’s going to change it from Wake County.
The Wake County Board of Elections will look into the issue at a hearing Wednesday.
Here is Aiken’s response:
I’ve always considered Wake County “home.” Growing up here taught me values like looking beyond the color of another’s skin and speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. I hold Wake County and its values dear.
Recently, I expressed my views and concern about the direction in which the newly elected members of the School Board propose to take Wake County schools. In a private blog, I stated strong opposition to the campaign rhetoric of the newly elected Board members. In response, the Wake County Republican Party has challenged my voter registration in Wake County.
It just goes to show the lengths to which some folks will go to silence an opposing view. I’ve remained registered at the permanent address that I’ve long used here in Wake County because I consider Raleigh home. While I believe my registration is perfectly valid, I’ve decided to change my registration from Wake County rather than get into a technical dispute.
But, rest assured, this attack on my voter registration will not silence me. I may not be able to effect change through my vote, but I will join other concerned citizens in speaking truth to those who would reverse decades of progress in Wake County schools. I stand by my opposition to policies that threaten to resegregate schools and eliminate diversity. These policies will not prepare children for the larger world.
Policies based on campaign rhetoric will leave behind the very children who need help the most. I urge the newly elected School Board members to consider the needs of all Wake County school children, not just a few. Wake County was a special place to grow up, and remains a great American community, because of its diversity, because of its progressive schools, because people take care of each other.
I urge the new board members to slow down, look beyond their own campaign agenda, and begin to govern responsibly with the needs of all children in mind. If they do not, the people of Wake County will hold them accountable. Regardless of my own voter registration, I will continue to speak up for all children of a place I will always consider home.
Clay Aiken
Possibly Related Posts:
- Kris Allen Covers When Doves Cry
- Clay Aiken Will Compete on Celebrity Apprentice
- Scotty McCreery Beats Everyone Since Season 7
- Preview Clay Aiken’s Tried and True Album
- Clay Aiken Notches Another First
I think Clay looks very cute in the picture above, his face is kind of swollen but he is gorgeous!
Send me some pictures you like. I’ll use them. I picked that one because I think he looks gorgeous.
mjsbigidolblog@gmail.com
I am really beginning to gain a lot of respect for Clay Aiken.
Thanks MJ for posting this. You keep up with what is going on with many of the idols, you speak your mind but you appear to play fair. The Wake County school board members could learn something from you!
I am so proud to be a fan of this well spoken and genuinely caring person! Clay walks the walk on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves!! Way to use your voice Clay!!!
I hope Clay never stops using his voice! I think all those people did was prove Clays point…they are IDIOTS! I am very proud of Clay!
Clay’s been fighting for kids for a long time. They will not stop him from using his voice where bettering the lives of children is concerned.
Clay Aiken has always said use your voice.
I am proud of him for using his voice and celebrity to bring attention to issues that affect children, such as the return of segregation in Wake county schools.
I am proud of this man.
Good job, Clay! And I agree with the poster above. You need ot use a better photo of Clay.
Reposting the link for the above article and hoping it works this time:
http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/2009/12/02/the-dismantling-begins/
Clay is a very articulate and intelligent man. He cares what happens to the children in Wake County–his blog is proof of that.
The article in this link shows that he knew what he was talking about when he expressed concerns about the newly elected school board members:
http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/2009/12/0…antling-begins/
I honestly do not know why a hearing is still in order if he is changing his voter registration. Vindictiveness?
And I think that the larger crime is that so few people did vote in this election.
Very articulate response to a tempest in a teapot. At least he voted – I undestand that only 6% of the population of Wake county voted at all, which is pretty apathetic as well as pathetic.
Clay is very articulate and intelligent and feels passionately about many causes. This is one.
Clay Aiken is an intelligent man. His blog really puts the emphasis where it belongs. It is too bad that the schools are suffering because of politics.
This battle that the politicians waged against Clay is a sham. I guess they needed some publicity.
Off topic………why did you choose the picture that you did?? Clay was recovering from serious surgery when this was taken and the picture does not show what Clay really looks like. There are tons of pictures out there. It seems a shame to use that one.
Clay walks the walk to make a difference. When he sees a wrong he wants to make it right. Some things are important and this is one issue to be pursued.
Very articulate response over much ado about nothing.