Durham, North Carolina's own Ed Thomas saw the light, recognized DA Nifong as a blight and plans to do what is right to end the Duke Three's plight and make Durham's future bright.

Set forth below is Mr. Thomas' letter published in Herald Sun last month,

"Please forgive me for voting for Mike Nifong

"In May I cast my vote for Mike Nifong to provide some continuity at a critical time for the district attorney's office. May God and my fellow citizens of Durham County forgive me for this mistake. We are now faced with repeated evidence that Nifong has pressed forward with the Duke lacrosse case in a manner that suggests he has little regard for proper procedure and his duty to responsibly communicate with the defense teams. He attempted to try the case in the media, probably to assure votes in the primary race. He has placed inexcusable shadings on some public comments. These actions are beyond the pale for an officer of the court. Given the lack of another confirmed candidate for district attorney, it seems that Nifong would be our only choice in November. However, if citizens sign petitions to have a qualified individual added to the November ballot as a write-in candidate, then that name will be present as an alternative in November. Durham County desperately needs another choice for this position.

"Please understand I am no fan of the obnoxious minority group of Duke University students. I feel there was a miscarriage of justice when there was not a successful prosecution for underage drinking in 2005. The reported behavior of some students has been without excuse. However, such is inconsequential in comparison to the apparent conduct of our district attorney. Will someone in Durham please step forward? Our county needs you as never before."

Lewis Cheek secured enough signatures to have his name added to the ballot, giving the people of Durham County, North Carolina a choice between hope and hate. He is serving his first term as a Durham County Commissioner. He served on the Durham City Council from 1999-2003. He received a BA degree in History and a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University. He is a member of several sections of the North Carolina Bar Association and has served as a member of the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee. He is a member of the Watts Street Baptist Church and is currently attending Triangle Presbyterian Church in Durham. He has worked on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House in connection with Duke Medical Center and has acted as the legal advisor for the Volunteer Center of Durham for the past twenty years on a pro bono basis.

Mr. Cheek's Present Board and Committee Memberships:

Carolina Theater Board
Durham City/County Committee
Durham City County Planning Committee
Hospital Corporation Board
Lincoln Community Health Center Board
Public Health Board
Triangle Transit Authority Tax Board
Farmland Protection Board

Mr. Cheek's Current Civic Activities:

Access to Justice Campaign
Alliance of AIDs Services-Carolina
Animal Protection Society of Durham
Association for Preservation of the Eno River Valley
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Durham
Durham Affordable Housing Coalition
Durham Arts Counsel
Durham Central Park
Durham Habitat for Humanity
Durham Health Partners
Durham Nativity School
Durham Public Education Network
Durham Rescue Mission
Durham Symphony
Durham YMCA
Family Counseling Service
Freedom House Recovery Center
Friends of the Durham Library
Friends of the Durham Youth Orchestra
Hazleden Recovery Center
Historic Preservation Society of Durham
Housing for New Hope
Operation Breakthrough
Ronald McDonald House
SEEDS
Senior Pharmacist
Special Olympics
The Volunteer Center of Durham
Triangle Citizens Rebuilding Communities, Inc.
Triangle Community Foundation
Triangle Land Conservancy
TROSA
United Way
Urban Ministries of Durham

Mr. Cheek's Professional Memberships:

American Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Defense Research Institute
Durham County Bar Association
International Association of Defense Counsel
North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys
North Carolina Bar Association
Who’s Who in America
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in the World
Who’s Who of International Professionals

Mr. Cheek has shown much more concern for the welfare of animals than Mr. Nifong shows for young white Yankee males. It's time for Durham County's Independents and Republicans to join Durham's decent Democrats in ousting Mr. Nifong from office, so that fair and impartial justice can be administered after the office is fumigated.

Michael J. Gaynor
95 Darrow Lane
Greenlawn, New York 11740-2803
(631) 757-9452 (tel)
(631) 754-3437 (fax)
GaynorMike@aol.com