The race for the Ward C seat on the Waynesboro School Board has devolved into dirty politics, with a public supporter of challenger Kelvin Washington throwing a false and potentially libelous accusation at the two-term incumbent, Debra Freeman, regarding her time as the executive director of a local homeless shelter.
Dewan Bellamy, who IDs himself on social media as the deputy director and defense minister of the Waynesboro Black Panther Party, posted a video to Facebook on Wednesday in which he made the claim that Freeman, as director of the Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry, “embezzled money that was used for homeless people,” and said Freeman “should absolutely not be working for the Boys and Girls Club,” where Freeman is currently the executive director.
“The fact that you did this and still decided to run again for school board is absolutely disgusting. I am suggesting that you drop out this race and that you no longer, no longer point your finger at anybody because y’all are a bunch of crooks,” Bellamy said in the video.
What apparently raised the ire of Bellamy was Freeman’s decision to back out of appearing at a candidates forum that was to be hosted this week by RISE – the reason, per Freeman, being the public support of the head of RISE, Chanda McGuffin-Tucker, for Washington.
“The organizer’s public support of my opponent, along with documented direct and indirect financial and strategic ties connected to his campaign, create an appearance of partiality. That is why I chose not to participate,” Freeman wrote in a message posted to her campaign Facebook page.
Of note here: McGuffin-Tucker conceded in a reply to Freeman’s post that she does get “personally involved” in local elections, accused Freeman of wanting to “grandstand” on Facebook, and denigrated her supporters as “mignons” – presumably meaning “minions.”
Or maybe she meant “mignons” – the plural of the French term meaning “cute, dainty or dear,” as is commonly used in what we call “filet mignon,” the premium cut of beef taken from the narrow end of the animal’s tenderloin.
It’s possible.
“You don’t want to debate. Just say that!” McGuffin-Tucker commented.
Here’s where I’ll interject myself into the story – I’ve had conversations by email with both Freeman and Washington this week about working to find a co-sponsor with AFP to host a candidate forum for the Ward C race, so, I can vouch for both that it isn’t a matter, for either, about not wanting to debate.
Now that the race has reached this low point, though, I don’t know that I can come across as being any more impartial than McGuffin-Tucker and RISE, in terms of being a part of any candidate forum, debate or anything related.
Because it does seem like there is connectivity between McGuffin-Tucker, RISE and Dewan Bellamy, who posted an item to his Facebook page on Tuesday declaring his endorsement for Washington for the School Board seat, a day before posting his video claim about Freeman that brings to mind the “reckless disregard for the truth” standard at the heart of U.S. libel law.
Brian Edwards, the chair of the board of directors of the Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry, issued a lengthy statement pushing back at the claims from Bellamy aimed at Freeman.
Recently, WARM’s leadership has been made aware of certain online comments made about Debra Freeman, who served as WARM Executive Director from 2013 to 2022, and the integrity of WARM finances. These accusations are completely incorrect. Ms. Freeman was a faithful steward of the organization’s funds during this time. In 2022, WARM and she amicably parted ways due to Ms. Freeman wishing to pursue a new opportunity leading the Boys & Girls Club of Waynesboro, Staunton, & Augusta County.
Furthermore, WARM’s financial team uses several safeguards to ensure the generosity of our donors is not compromised. Since WARM’s annual operating budget is designed around 99% of charitable giving, responsible stewardship of our ministry’s gifts is a top priority.
It is unfortunate that WARM’s and Ms. Freeman’s respective services to our community have been falsely maligned. It is my sincere hope that no more lies on this subject will be discussed. The WARM team wishes to focus our energy on our mission of serving our unsheltered neighbors.
Another lengthy public comment on the Bellamy accusations came from Jeff Loomis, who served on the board of the Boys & Girls Club when Freeman was hired to lead that nonprofit in 2022, and now sits on the board of directors at WARM.
So sometimes it is best to just ignore the filth that some people spew on the internet and not give it any air to breathe. But sometimes you just have to speak out. Yesterday someone in our community (that I won’t give any publicity or the time of day) made utterly ridiculous and unsubstantiated comments about my good friend Debra Freeman who you know is running to keep her spot on the school board. These comments had to do with why she left WARM (and was eventually hired by the Boys and Girls Club).
I was on the board of the BGC at that time and also very involved with WARM (where I now sit on the board as well), so I can’t think of many people who had a better look at what transpired when she left. I will tell you that we at the BGC were beyond thrilled that Debra was looking for a career change (with small children at home, she wanted a job that was more 9-5 and less midnight calls) and WARM was very sad to lose her (she helped WARM to get its 501(c)-3 certification and was instrumental in the growth of the organization to where it is today).
Anyone who claims that there was any malfeasance on Debra’s part in any of this needs to get their facts straight as this is totally libelous if you ask me. Small town politics can get nasty at times but to throw unsubstantiated (and untrue!) charges at a person who does as much for the children of our community as Debra does makes me sick!
I reached out to Kelvin Washington at 8:11 p.m. ET Thursday to offer the opportunity to comment on the claims made by Dewan Bellamy on his behalf.
At this writing, 9:55 p.m. ET Thursday, I haven’t heard back from Washington.
When we do hear from Washington, I’ll update this story with his comments.
Update: Friday, 9:37 a.m. Kelvin Washington responded to the comments made by Dewan Bellamy in regard to Washington’s opponent in the Ward C School Board race, Debra Freeman.
I’m disappointed to see Mr. Bellamy’s libelous comments and actions toward Ms. Debra Freeman. His opinions and views do not represent my personal views of Ms. Freeman, who I know to be an upright and respectable community leader. Mr. Bellamy’s video falsely depicts my opponent, and his actions do not align with the principles and positions of this campaign. Ms. Freeman and myself have met since the event occurred, and we are both committed to seeing this race completed in a manner that shows respect and proper decorum for both candidates. Personally, I desire my supporters to show mutual respect for Ms. Freeman and her campaign throughout this entire race. I’m truly saddened these comments will take away from the focus of this race, the students of Waynesboro Public Schools.
“As for a debate or forum, I respect my opponent’s decision to not participate in the RISE debate. I agree with Mr. Graham that both of us are committed to participating in a forum or debate that provides an opportunity for Waynesboro citizens to engage with each candidate simultaneously.
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Chris Graham
