I am writing to you about a photo published in the Surprise Independent on Aug. 14.

The photo is on Page 35 of your paper, and it shows me speaking at the Aug. 6 City Council meeting. The caption reads “Former Veterans, Disability and Human Resources Commission member Phillip Lair argues for a re-vote of recommended commissioners after he was not selected to return to the commission.”

This was not at all what I said, and there is a lot of “poetic” licensee here. I would like your paper to print a retraction and correct what I was there speaking about, and also a formal apology to myself the Human Resources Department of Surprise, The Veterans, Disability and Human Resources Commission and the City Council.

This is justification for this:

1. I was not arguing. This was a time for the public to speak and that is what I was doing. I was not arguing, my voice was not raised, and I was not being combative. Listen to the broadcast.

2. I was not there because I was upset about the results of the City Council’s appointment of new commissioners. I was there, and once again this was explained in my speech to the City Council, I wanted to make them aware that what had happened was not fair or correct, and that they should look at redoing the procedure for the commissions appointments. I even said the “results might be the same and I am OK with that, but at least it would be fair.” I never once side I was upset, I did say I was “shocked” and “surprised” after leading a hugely successful event (VetFest 24). But I never said I was upset.

I feel that I was misrepresented, and that the caption tells a different story than what I was trying to get across. Once again the media only tries to get the “sound byte” and not listen to the whole story.

While is only a caption, it does not depict the “essence” or the “faire passer son message.”

I feel that with this being published, I was personally attached and “taken advantage of.” Yes, I know it is public hearing and anyone can speak, and yes anyone can say anything. But I was very civilized and cool-headed when I spoke. In fact, if you listen to my speech, not once did I call anyone by name, or directly blame anyone.

Please review this, and the broadcast, as I am sure you will find that the “argues” and I was “upset” because I was not put back on the commission are not true and the caption is misleading.