Letter to the Editor

    I am writing this letter with regard to the mail-out I received last week from the “Barry Ivey Campaign”.  I am sick and tired of the politics of our election process and the dysfunction of our governing bodies.  It’s no wonder that our elected officials cannot work together to solve the issues that this country faces when our election campaigns are not about the issues that we face or who is the most qualified candidate, but rather trying to create or fabricate issues to tarnish the character and record of hard working public servants.  

    The mail-out presents a timeline of events to make it appear as though Councilman Scott Wilson had some devious plan, then makes a statement and poses a question “It’s Legal, But Is It Ethical?”  I would like to answer the question, It Is Legal AND Ethical!  Our state government has an ethics board, if you don’t believe me, file a complaint and ask for a ruling.  But does anyone really believe that it is unethical to run for a public office while holding another seat?  It happens all of the time.  In this particular case there was only speculation that Representative Cliff Richardson might resign for health reasons.  In any case, if someone was concerned that Councilman Wilson may run if the District 65 seat were vacated, they certainly could have asked him of his intentions.  The mail-out also makes the statement “Either Way, He Has A Job”. Councilman Wilson is a successful, hard working business owner and has a job regardless of whether he decides to continue in public service at any level.

It is fairly typical for public servants to enter into the political arena at lower levels of government where they are well known by their constituents.  This allows them time to become familiar with the local issues and the governing process.  It also gives the pubic an opportunity to evaluate their effectiveness to govern.  After gaining experience and trust, some public servants decide to move on to the next level or get a promotion which is also typical in business.

    Now back to my problem with the mail-out.  If Barry Ivey wants to run for the District 65 seat he should have used the mail-out to tell us about himself and why is the most qualified candidate to serve as our State Representative.  If Mr. Ivey wants to challenge Councilman Wilson’s record or his stance on various issues that our city or state face, I am interested in hearing the debate.  

    I would submit to you that beginning a campaign with mudslinging and fabricating issues to question the integrity of a proven, hard working public servant is part of the problem not part of the solution. 

Rodney J. Bonvillain 

Concerned Citizen