Troy mayor: Argument during award presentation being exploited - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Troy mayor: Argument during award presentation being exploited

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By Alexis Wiley
FOX 2 News Reporter


TROY, Mich. -- "In recognition of being the Democrat Club's Troy citizen for 2012, distinguished citizen for 2012," video shows Troy Mayor Janice Daniels saying during an award presentation at Monday's council meeting.

"It's not the Democrat Club.  It's distinguished citizen of the year for Troy," recipient Mary Kerwin countered.

"It was kind of a kick to the gut," the former Troy councilwoman later told us.

"I didn't think that announcing a particular person's political affiliation was bad.  I thought I was doing her a favor," said Daniels.

The award is given by the nonpartisan group Leadership Troy based on extraordinary community service.

"I thought that it was hurtful and disingenuous that she would change what is given to so few of our citizens," Kerwin said.

Many are calling the incident an embarrassment and a reflection of why Daniels is facing a recall, but the mayor says she did nothing wrong.

"I was surprised, in fact, that she was challenging the fact that it was given to her by the Democrat Club.  That's what the Somerset Gazette newspaper said," Daniels remarked.

However, the Somerset Gazette didn't actually say that.  The picture on the front page does show Kerwin along with other Democratic candidates at a pot luck dinner hosted by the Troy Democratic Club, but the article below on the distinguished citizen award makes no mention of the Democratic Club.

Daniels says she wasn't trying to insult Kerwin and this whole thing is being exploited by those who want to see voters boot her out of office in an election day recall.

"This is another example of the way every word that comes out of my mouth is being used by my political opponents to try to destroy me, and I think it's very unfortunate."

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