Thomas A. Stith: Exaggerated statements

When it comes to protecting the safety of our citizens and their water, the McCrory administration has gone above and beyond to provide the general public, especially well owners, with all information possible to ensure public safety and transparency. In addition, Gov. Pat McCrory has fought for legislation that connected well owners to municipal water supplies at Duke’s expense.

Your Aug. 8 editorial “Governor’s office acted badly by pressuring and accusing state toxicologist” cited a report that state toxicologist Ken Rudo claims he was “summoned” to a meeting at the governor’s office to discuss drinking water notifications sent to homeowners who live close to coal ash ponds. Rudo’s claims that McCrory participated in that meeting, which Rudo made under oath, have been revealed as false by other participants.

These exaggerated statements reflect a pattern. During the Hunt administration, Rudo attacked an N.C. State University scientist with whom he disagreed through a leaked memo describing a phone call. The memo was later revealed to be false when the professor released an audio recording of the conversation. The Hunt administration even had to apologize for the way the professor was treated.

This latest incident is part of a coordinated political campaign, evidenced by the fact that the same radical special interest group that partially released this information ran full-page ads the same week. Despite the ongoing politically motivated attacks, our administration will continue to ensure the safety of all North Carolinians.

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Thomas A. Stith: Exaggerated statements."