In the latest

twist in a bitterly-contested race, Fayette County Commissioner Linda

Wells Friday afternoon called on Republican Primary opponent Thomas Stephens

to withdraw from the race for County Commission Post 4. The election is

this coming Tuesday.

Stephens was

teaching classes at Starr's Mill High School Friday. Attempts by The Citizen

to reach him by telephone for comment before press deadline were unsuccessful.

Wells' withdrawal

call comes on the heels of a public outburst of temper by Stephens in

the office of The Citizen newspaper Wednesday afternoon.

Stephens voiced

his displeasure at a receptionist and other newspaper employees for supposedly

not publishing his candidate's statement in the paper's election issue

Wednesday. But Stephens then learned his statement was on a different

page of the paper and apologized for the incident. Stephens blamed his

outburst on the stress of conducting a political campaign. [See publisher

Cal Beverly's column about the incident on this page.]

He later returned

to the newspaper office with a potted plant and a two-sentence apology

for the receptionist. "Please accept this humble apology for my anger,"

Stephens wrote on the floral card. "Kindest personal regards, Thomas

Stephens."

"I am

concerned that if Mr. Stephens is having trouble coping with the rigors

of campaigning he would be unable to handle the very real stresses associated

with the job of county commissioner," Wells said.

"I am

hopeful that upon reflection, Mr. Stephens will agree that now is not

the time for him to be seeking political office. Political rage, road

rage, or any type of rage one exhibits against innocent people must be

addressed. I hope that Mr. Stephens agrees."

Wells added

the commissioners are often confronted by disgruntled individuals and

is concerned how he would react in those situations.

She also was

upset with how Stephens handled himself with the receptionist at the paper.

"I am

also concerned that his vulgar, abusive language and demeanor was focused

at someone who was obviously not responsible for the situation, nor able

to defend herself," Wells said.

During this

year's political season, Wells said Stephens has often yelled at candidates

after political forums, but then quickly apologized.

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