Citizens for Positive Progress letter unacceptable

As I rushed home from work yesterday, I paused to check my mail, stuffed the stack of seemingly unimportant items in my purse, and raced home to pick up my kids and off to Wilbur we went—my daughter’s volleyball game would begin in an hour.

As I sat between games, I leafed through the mail, opening one from “Citizens for Positive Progress.” As I read, my mouth dropped open and a sick feeling churned in my stomach.

This letter was in support of John Claypool for City Council Position No. 4, and instead of simply outlining his positive attributes, it attempted to elevate his desirability by attacking his opponent, Paula Bell.

Due to the letter’s dishonest and amoral content, the letter actually did the opposite for many residents of Lind.

The letter proceeded to outline 4 issues, stating the “facts” (outlining what negative action Bell supposedly took regarding a town issue), “issue with this decision” (simply used to further bash Bell), and “What John Claypool would offer” (citing how Claypool would better serve the community).

I’m all for politicking in an attempt to get votes but this type of “throwing under the bus” is absolutely uncalled for. Not only does the letter make libelous claims, but it resorts to name-calling.

When did this become who we as a society are? I have attended numerous city council meetings and make it a point to keep up on the happenings of our small town.

Perhaps Bell does not “like technology” and asks many questions for clarity because she does have “difficulty understanding” revenue reports (two attributes that I actually like in a representative) but she also speaks her mind when up against something detrimental to the town.

She questions those in authority and holds them accountable for their words and more importantly, their actions.

Simply because she refuses to be a “yes-man” to our mayor and her employees, simply because she asks the hard questions that need asked, and simply because she goes out into the community to hear their voices and report back to the council, she is not fit and deserves to be verbally attacked by her opponent and his “committee”?

Let’s pretend for a moment that the lies in the letter were true: does that mean that attacking a person’s character and moral-code are acceptable?

We are a small community. Our children go to school together. We all attend the same church. We all know each other and help each other and hopefully want the best for each other.

Or so I thought.

If my mind wasn’t made up before regarding who would receive my vote, it is now. I support the person who takes the high-road, campaigning by pointing out their assets, not by attacking their opponent.

Calah Kulm, Lind