In a new video posted to his campaign Facebook, City Councilman and mayoral candidate Cole Stanley stated that he wishes for the city to “look forward to what’s in the future” and not dwell on past controversies.

In particular, Stanley noted that the current council still has another meeting before new members take office. The May 9th meeting, while scheduled after the May 6th election, will not include swearing in any newly elected members, as the final vote totals are not expected to be ready for canvassing.

“I would encourage our council to get back to doing city business,” said Stanley regarding his hopes for the May 9th meeting. “What happened on Tuesday had nothing to do with city business.”

During the previous meeting referred to by Stanley, Mayor Ginger Nelson brought up allegations she claimed were made by members of the public. Nelson asked if Stanley’s support for dropping the city’s ongoing appeal of the Civic Center lawsuit was done in exchange for donations made to Stanley’s campaign by plaintiff Alex Fairly. Stanley pushed back at the accusations. Members of the public who attended last Tuesday’s meeting expressed similar feelings, with some calling it a “witch hunt” and a “kangaroo court.”

“I felt like what the mayor did was a pretty low blow,” said Stanley in the video, before stating that he “took nothing personally out of there that day.” Instead, he stated that Nelson’s actions were “her choice to leave here legacy.” He then went on to say that “these types of political hit-jobs serve as major distractions.”

Stanley closed the video by asking voters to do their own research into the candidates on the ballot. “Make up your mind about me based on my actions, not the actions of others.”

Early voting ends Tuesday, May 2nd. Election Day is Saturday, May 6th.