Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh is defending his online actions after being accused of bullying on Twitter.
"I am many things, but bully I am not," says Pugh. "I'm the nicest guy I know and I'm sticking to that."
On Saturday, a Detroit News columnist shared her thoughts on how Pugh recently dropped 60 pounds and released a series of YouTube videos on how he did it. Readers were quick to comment, including Josh Sidorowicz, who tweeted: "Wow, love this little piece. Too bad @Charles_Pugh has been such a disappointment to the city of Detroit so far."
Pugh noticed the tweet and did not skip a beat. He replied to Sidorowicz by saying, "yes, a huge disappointment. Just a downright loser. LOL."
The barbs went back and forth between Pugh and Sidorowicz, who interns at Automotive News. At one point, Pugh tweeted the auto journal asking officials to have a word with Sidorowicz. (See the entire exchange in the gallery below)
"If I have interns in my office who are on Twitter or Facebook attacking people, I'd want to know," said Pugh. "He's saying that I got a personal agenda and that I'm a disappointment. What does that mean? Just simply give some clarity to that. That's the whole reason I kept back and forth with him. I have a right to defend the hard work that I'm very proud of."
FOX 2 reached out to Sidorowicz for comment, but he declined to go on camera.
"I'm going to continue responding to people the way I see fit," says Pugh. "I'm am so not a bully, but when people says things that I think are offensive, you know, you respond."
Officials at Automotive News would not comment on this story either. They do, however, tell FOX 2 that Josh is great intern and still works for the company.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:12 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:12:48 GMT
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
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Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh
