The following is a prepared statement delivered by Mayor Larry O'Brien to the media Thursday, March 13, 2008. Watch video of the mayor's statement.
THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE
IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT A CITIZEN REPORTER IS PREPARING A STORY BASED ON RUMOURS AND INEDUEDO THAT MY FORMER WIFE AND MOTHER OF OUR CHILDREN DEBBIE O'BRIEN... IS ATTEMPTING TO RAISE MONEY ON MY BEHALF FOR LEGAL FEES FROM CITY CONTRACTORS
I HAVE SPOKEN TO DEBBIE, AND THIS IS PATENTLY UNTRUE!
I AM, FOR THE RECORD, CAPABLE OF HANDLING MY OWN LEGAL ISSUES
ANYONE WHO IS INTERPRETING THAT DEBBIE O'BRIEN IS ASKING FOR FINANCIAL HELP IS MISTAKEN
I HAVE RECEIVED MANY KIND OFFERS OF HELP AND I HAVE DECLINED THEM ALL
I APPRECIATE THE OUTPOURING OF MORAL SUPPORT AND THE LEVEL OF CONCERN SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED FOR ME AND MY FAMILY
THE ONLY HELP I WANT IS IN MAKING OTTAWA THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND INVEST IN.
I CHOSE TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE NOT OUT OF FINANCIAL GAIN BUT BECAUSE I TRULY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE PEOPLE OF OTTAWA WHO BELIEVED IN ME AND WHO ELECTED ME IN A LAND SLIDE VICTORY AND TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE I AM NOT DISTRACTED BY THIS.
MY FOCUS IS ON THE CITY'S BUSINESS BUT LEAVE MY FAMILY OUT OF THIS.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ON THIS MATTER
