City Councilor Chuck Turner Stands by Dianne Wilkerson
One of the biggest questions we’ve had since hearing about the arrest of Dianne Wilkerson was what Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner would do in light of the investigation. Would he begin to distance himself from the embattled senator? Or will he continue to support her?
Turner tells Boston Daily that he’s sticking with Wilkerson. “If she calls off her campaign, then the race is over. If she doesn’t, my perspective is that she’ll be judged by a jury of her peers.”
We asked the councilor if he thought that Wilkerson was innocent of the charges, and if so, how he interpreted the pictures of the senator sticking cash under her shirt.
“That kind of speculative probing is one of the most unseemly parts of our country,” Turner said. “Especially in a nation that calls itself Christian. Well, Jesus said, ‘Judge not lest ye be judged.’ I think it’s time for the media and everyone else to follow the advice of the founder of Christianity. Let a jury of peers take responsibility for judging it. Meanwhile, let’s keep our mouths shut and let that process continue.”
Turner said that he wouldn’t consider throwing his endorsement to Sonia Chang-Diaz because she lives in the predominantly white area of the Second Suffolk District.
“She’s not part of our district,” Turner says. “She doesn’t come to meetings. She lives in another community. It’s like you have someone coming from another city coming in and representing people in another city.” He does admit that with another year or two of experience in the district Chang-Diaz would “get up to speed.”
October 29th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
But Chuck, she’s stuffing money in her bra!
She’s taking money, that’s clearly seen in the pictures.
She’s obviously taking money, Chuck.
Chuck, are you blind?
October 29th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Maybe Chuck has something to hide here. Maybe Wilkerson will plead out and spill the beans on all of her cronies. Maybe Chuck’s going to stand with her because she has something on him.
Hey Chuck! I’ve got a news flash for you. You are out of touch! But then again, my opinion doesn’t count because us “Latins” aren’t part of your “district.”
When are you up for re-election?
October 29th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Can someone please remind Mr. Turner that Sen Wilkerson’s district includes areas besides Roxbury. His blatent racism is discouraging.
Personally, I’d like to “be judged by the color of my skin but by the content of my character”. ( And my lack of stuffing illicit cash into my under-things.)
October 30th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Whatever Chuck, you’re a moron just like “Lady Di”….
Turner is such a racist hypocrite. He quotes the Bible about not rushing to judge and yet he says he can’t support Chang-Diaz because she lives in a “predominately white” part of the district.
October 30th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
You other people who posted are out of touch with racial realities. What Chuck is saying is that if Chang-Diaz is elected, who will support the black people in Roxbury?–because she obviously doesn’t understand the issues in that community. This is more important than an unproven allegation of corruption leveled at a proven community advocate.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
The article those not quote Councilor Turner saying he would not support Chang Diaz because she lives in the “white” area. The reporter seems to have insinuated that. Turner said she doesn’t live in his community. That isn’t a lie. Not sure what is so wrong about that.
Plenty of people support those that live in their Community. Chang Diaz won the area she lives in and Wilkerson won the area she lives in. It doesn’t end there. Congressman Capuano won his seat in Congress when it was an open seat because he won Somerville (where he lives) by such a wide margin. Councilor Flaherty wins South Boston (where he lives) in his council races. Councilor Murphy wins Hyde Park (where he lives) in his council races. I can go on and on with examples.
While I feel the charges made against Wilkerson are disappointing and difficult to overlook it is isn’t very radical to say “innocent until proven guilty” that is the basis of our judicial system.
folks, calm down. Voters will speak on November 4th and regardless of that outcome Wilkerson will be tried in a courtroom and will likely be judge by a jury of her peers. If she is convicted of wrong doings I hope there are real consequences. Until then, if you live in the district vote for whomever you wish that is your right and responsibility as an American.