Contact UsStatement from Joan F. Foster on the secret taping of her meeting with Chancellor Falwell, his staff members and the City Manager, April 3, 2010
I was very disappointed to learn that my meeting with Jerry Falwell, Jr., was taped without my knowledge or permission. While legal in Virginia, in my opinion it is not morally or ethically right to tape a meeting without disclosing it to all parties involved.
That being said, I have listened to the partial recording that has been released by Liberty University and here are my observations:
1. The quality of the recording is poor. Key pieces of the meeting are missing which I will outline later. The general tone of the meeting was positive. The major objectives of the meeting were accomplished: A. Educate the administration of the funds currently allocated to the Pedestrian Walkway. B. Hear the concerns of Liberty University regarding the Conditional Use Permit Process (CUP). C. Offer options in addressing changes to the CUP so they could seek fewer restrictions dealing with growth on campus. D. Build positive relationships with one of Lynchburg’s key stakeholders, Liberty University.
2. Both Chancellor Falwell and staff member Lee Beaumont have admitted clearly that I never stated that I could deliver a unanimous vote to change the CUP as quoted in the News and Advance in an article on April 2, 2010. However, they have both stated that this was implied in the meeting and point to one section of the recording to make their point. Clearly, they misunderstood my comments. When I said, “that would be a 7‐0 vote in favor of what he (City Manager) just said,” I meant that all of Council would want to know how an internal college project impacts the outlying community.
3. One of the options presented to Liberty University during our meeting which was not present in the recording, was to write a letter requesting a change to the CUP process to City Council. If a letter was delivered to me on behalf of LU, I assured them that I would share the letter with Council and then it would be turned over to the Planning Commission. This would begin the process, which is currently in place, which would take 60 to 90 days. This is exactly what occurred at City Council Work Session on March 30, 2010. The process was initiated and referred to the Planning Commission.
Liberty University is composed of thousands of people who currently attend the University, or have attended it in the past. The LU “family” is important to our community. Many are our teachers, business leaders, ministers, police officers and other public and private servants. I appreciate these LU citizens for following your principles, desiring an education that fulfills your spiritual values, and for what you do to make this world a better place. Liberty University is not one or two people, even if they are in leadership positions. Therefore, I pledge that I will continue to do what is right for Lynchburg AND for the Liberty University “family” at every opportunity. We need safe pedestrian walkways, quality buildings, good jobs and a strong higher education system that is embodied in Lynchburg College, Randolph College, Virginia University of Lynchburg, CVCC and Liberty University.
In public service, there are a lot of demands, and people have varying opinions which is what makes a democracy work. It is very important to be slow to anger when you are in a leadership role and to be very tolerant and open to a variety of views. However, when a person’s integrity is challenged, that must be addressed clearly, quickly and assertively. So, let me say very clearly, quickly and assertively, that I have spoken the truth throughout this process.
As is verified in the partial secret recording of the meeting, and with statements from Lee Beaumont and Jerry Falwell, Jr. in an article in the April 2, 2010 News and Advance, I never promised a guaranteed 7‐0 vote on changing the CUP process. Lee Beaumont was quoted in this article as saying, “The Mayor never directly said that a request for a zoning amendment would get a 7‐0 vote.” Later in the article he is quoted as saying, “She did not say: We will give LU back its 1991 by‐right use.” I think these words speak for themselves.
While it is unfortunate that attempts to strengthen relationships between the City and Liberty University has been dealt a significant blow, my job is to represent all the citizens of Lynchburg with honesty and integrity. That is exactly what I will continue to do.
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