Local politics gets heated again Gulfport. This time, it’s over a photoshopped image of Gulfport City Council member, Yolanda Roman, and U.S. Congress nominee, Charlie Crist. But it’s not just the image that has Gulfport residents fuming, it’s the fact that the image’s “author” is fellow Gulfport City Council member, Dan Liedtke. Liedtke has a long history in Gulfport of being a boisterous, self-serving Tea Party Republican. And unfortunately for those on the receiving end of his “digital creativity”, this is not his first attempt at using media to slander a public official.
Liedtke took a recent picture of Roman and Crist and altered the photo so that the two appear to be holding signage that blasts Crist and makes a mockery of Roman.
[Oct. 13, 2016 – 12:09pm – Liedtke’s post goes live]
[Oct. 17, 2016 – 9:41am]
Former Gulfport City Council member, Barbara Banno, creates a call to action, sharing Liedtke’s post and calls him a fraud. Banno urges residents to speak out against Liedtke’s actions, draw attention to his unprofessionalism and questions whether he is fit to serve on Gulfport City Council.
[Oct. 17, 2016 – 11:47am]
Gulfport resident, Angela Lagan comments on Liedtke’s original post saying, “Hey Dan, no heads were photoshopped but is wording on the posters accurately depicted?”
[Oct. 17, 2016 – 1:50pm]
Gulfport resident, Jessica Seldin, posts Liedtke’s former mug shot and suggests someone in the community should alter his photo as retribution.
[Oct. 17, 2016 – 7:53pm]
Dozens of comments criticizing Liedtke litter social media. Chatter arises about discussing the photo at the upcoming Gulfport City Council meeting.
[Oct. 18, 2016 – 12:40pm]
Banno creates a Facebook event entitled, “Say No to Photo Shop” – urging residents to attend the Gulfport City Council meeting and speak out during Public Comment about Liedtke’s picture.
[Oct. 18, 2016 – 2:23pm]
A handful of anti-Liedtke residents rally online and public shame Liedtke’s attack on Roman.
[Oct. 18, 2016 – 7:00pm]
Residents crowd into Council chambers in support of Roman. The Mayor, Sam Henderson, does not show up for the meeting. Speculation grows as to whether or not the Mayor was in on Liedtke’s attack of Roman.]
https://gulfport.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=6&clip_id=682&autostart=0&embed=1
[Oct. 19, 2016 – 10:03am]
Liedtke finally responds to resident Angela Lagan’s comment on his original picture asking if the “wording on the posters is accurately depicted” by dodging the question.
[Oct. 19, 2016 – 11:58am]
Dissatisfied with Liedtke’s dismissal of the photograph during the council meeting, Gulfport resident, Denise Lowe, goes public with a copy of an email she sent to Gulfport City officials, asking for a formal investigation into Liedtke’s actions.
Residents have yet to receive confirmation on an official investigation into Liedtke’s actions but are anxiously awaiting a response from the City Attorney.
Get Gulfported 