Mr. Wheatley is contesting the 7th district seat. Photo: VINO

Speaking at his campaign launch at the Stickett recently, the independent politician stated that would be his advice to politicians.

“I did not say sympathy, I said empathy - empathy is to feel what another person is going through,” he explained.

Wheatley related that a woman in the community desperately needed assistance, and after the family had spoken to several officials he was called in and immediately rendered the necessary help to ensure the individual was okay.

“The lady was suffering it could have been problematic, and if there was little effort made to get the lady the proper medical attention...it would not have spiralled out of control as it did,” the novice politician said, without going into further details.

He added, “If those persons who were called before me had a little bit of empathy, that lady would have been attended to a long time ago. You have to care about people. I don’t have to be taught how to care, that is something I can do or have been able to do naturally. Your leaders should listen to you when you are talking. If they see you hurting, they should pay a little bit more attention.”