Stardig makes the following false statement in her mail piece that hit mailboxes today, Wednesday:

”Brenda is the ONLY candidate with years of public safety experience.”

“Ms. Stardig is so desperate to win that she has resorted to lying about Lane’s qualifications. The truth of the matter is that Lane has years of public safety experience and Ms. Stardig chose to ignore those facts and lie to District A voters,” said Michael Kolenc, campaign manager. “Ms. Stardig is not the ONLY candidate with public safety experience, but she is the ONLY candidate to resort to lies in order to win this election.”

Lane Lewis has years of public safety experience:

• Developed training programs for the Houston Police Department
• Taught at the Houston Police Academy for over a decade
• Served on the Houston Police Advisory Committee under Police Chief Nuchia
• Mayoral appointee to the Citizen Review Committee (CRC) of the Houston Police Department under Police Chief Bradford
• Elected Chair of the CRC for the Houston Police Department
• Elected by members of the CRC to serve on the Administrative Disciplinary Committee for the Houston Police Department
• Appointed Coordinator of the Houston Police Citizen Review Committee – Internal Affairs Division, by Mayors Lee Brown and Bill White under Police Chiefs Breshears and Hurtt

“The Harris County Council of Organizations is happy to get behind Lane Lewis and his campaign for City Council,” said DeWayne Lark, HCCO President. “HCCO sees Lane as the candidate with the integrity and experience to get the job done in City Hall. Lane will be a full-time Council Member dedicated to solving problems and that is what District A needs.”

“I am proud to have the backing of the Harris County Council of Organizations,” said Lewis. “I have the support of fire fighters, multiple police organizations, and the Houston Chronicle because they all know that I am the only candidate with the proven experience to take on flooding, crime, and over-development.”

Per the Thursday, November 26, 2009 edition of the Houston Chronicle:

Stardig said she has specific flood control projects in mind, but did not want to speak publicly about them out of a fear of hurting property values.

“My opponent needs to share the details of her plan to reduce flooding in our neighborhoods immediately. It is troubling that she believes her secret plan will hurt property values,” said Lewis. “District A needs a Council Member that will look out for neighborhoods and communities, not one that will hatch secret plans with builders and developers to harm our property values.”

All this was possible because of your help.

We’ve knocked on thousands of doors across the district and raised money from hundreds of small donors. We’ve earned grassroots support by listening to our neighbors and discussing the issues that matter to them: Affordability, Accessibility, and Accountability.

Now we’re in a stronger position than ever to turn these ideas into action.

As we carry our momentum into December, my campaign team is ready – and I hope you are too. We will need volunteers in the field and we will need money to communicate our message to District A voters. And, most importantly, we will need your votes to win the runoff.

Thank you again for all your hard work and support thus far. If you haven’t already, please join the A-Team so, together, we can win in December.

Lane Lewis

Cazadores Mexican Restaurant

11031 Northwest Freeway
Houston, Texas 77006-6130
713.807.8883

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“In the race to replace outgoing Councilwoman Toni Lawrence in this northwest Houston district beset with high crime and flooding concerns, the Chronicle endorses social worker and educator Lane Lewis…With his innovative ideas and energy, the Chronicle believes Lewis would be a constructive and imaginative addition to City Council.”

Read the entire endorsement at the Chronicle’s website.

Regarding his Houston Chronicle endorsement, Lane made the following statement:

“It is an honor to have the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle in my race for City Council District A,” said Lewis. “For a better part of the year I have met with District residents in their homes, businesses, and civic associations and listened to their concerns. They want a Council Member that will find affordable, accessible, and accountable solutions while keeping a close eye on how tax dollars are spent. I will be this Council Member.”

“It is a great honor to have the backing of police officers,” said Lewis. “Their heroism is commendable, their dedication praiseworthy, and their service to our City deserves our respect. As a City Council Member I will work to create efficiencies in the Houston Police Department that will allow more officers to be put on the street, helping keep our neighborhoods and communities safe.”

“The Houston Police Patrolmen’s Union enthusiastically stands with Lane Lewis for City Council,” said HPPU President Dean Goodrick. “Lane has the neighborhood leadership and the understanding of public safety that make police officers want to stand by him.”

Lane Lewis is the only District A candidate to have the backing of fire fighters and police officers. Lane’s experience as a social worker, classroom teacher, and mayoral appointee to the Houston Police Department make him uniquely qualified to address the challenges that face District A.

“[District A Residents] want accountability. They want to make sure that what I say in rooms like this tonight are the same things I am going to say when I’m down at City Hall,” said Lewis during Thursday’s forum.

The forum was an opportunity for Spring Branch residents to see first-hand the candidates vying for the District A position and to hear them talk about issues like Bunker Hill flooding and Long Point development.

“A huge part of my campaign since day one has been accountability,” said Lewis during the forum. “As I said in my opening statement: making sure that what I say in this room is the same thing that I’m going to say to you in your living room, is the same thing I’m going to say when I am sitting in front of the builders, is the same thing that I’m going to say when I’m at City Hall doing your business…”

“Lane spoke about accountability, and Spring Branch residents are looking for an accountable City Council Member to solve the real problems we face,” said Gail Clarke, Shadow Oaks resident. “Lane stood out tonight because he was the only one on stage that seemed ready to be on City Council right now.”

“It is humbling to have the backing of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association,” said Lewis. “Their heroism and hard work are an asset to the City, and for that, we owe them a debt of gratitude. Their backing and support means a lot to me personally and I look forward to representing them as a City Council Member.”

HPFFA, and its approximately 3,700 members, is the latest organization to endorse Lane’s District A candidacy. Working families across the District know that Lane Lewis will work for a sound infrastructure, a strong economy, and safe neighborhoods, all while keeping a watchful eye on how our tax dollars are spent.