That may be true—the center is known for its rather cumbersome requests—but surely the administration wanted to keep at least one email under wraps for as long as possible. In December, Conte, who has been the public face of the project, sent a note to state architect Mike Fitts. Here Conte—who is referred to as “FL,” for first lady, in many administration emails—comes off as part Cruella de Vil, part Christian motivational speaker as she encourages Fitts to continue touting the project in the face of bitter criticism.
“You are doing a magnificent job of deflecting hits and correcting erroneous information regarding Conservation Hall,” the FL writes. “This is an innovative design and a long time coming—what a shame partisan political hacks have targeted the project out of meanness of spirit and selfishness.”
Conte concludes her note with a hearty dose of good cheer.
“Keep a song in your heart and a smile on your face” the FL assures Fitts. “We will prevail.”
Had the TCPR obtained that email earlier this year—at the height of the controversy over Bredesen’s bunker—Conte doubtless would have garnered more bad press at a time when she was already the subject of ridicule and contempt for her efforts to spruce up the Executive Residence. The project would have proceeded as planned, but Conte would have been mocked in newspapers and on talk radio across the state. Now most people have moved on, and a newly discovered petulant email from the FL won’t stir the hornet’s nest of Republicans and angry neighbors.
0 comments:
Post a Comment