Commentary

Wednesday, October 31, 2001

Election Time in Colleyville
By Nelson Thibodeaux

It is unfortunate, but a part of the Colleyville election landscape over the past few years.  Mailboxes, assaulted with political mailings containing outrageous claims, signals election time.  

The latest letter was distributed to citizens from Bill Dennis in support of Place 4 Candidate Jo Ann Gasper.  Mr. Dennis should be commended for at least getting involved in city politics (less than 10% usually vote).  Admittedly the mailer was a little confusing because Mr. Dennis describes himself as just a regular guy, inspired by recent national events to check on local matters, and although he states that  "I don't know Jo Ann Gasper", he made an enlightened sudden decision to support her.  All of which is perfectly fine, except when trying to pull off a negative mailer and make it look objective, one probably shouldn't use the bulk mail permit of the candidate.  Geez, Louise, the bulk mail permit #9 belongs to Jo Ann Gasper.

The mailer is eerily familiar to one distributed just prior to the 2000 election.

Candidates attempting to conduct honest campaigns on issues have come under attack with mailers having no basis in fact. One would like to believe that the electorate would tire of these tactics and turn those candidates away.  Far too often the claims are believed and votes are swayed by the distortions.  When obtaining a vote through fraudulent means, the voter has been deprived of his rights.

This current mailer contains gross inaccuracies about tax increases and positions on all the hot topics - "wide streets", "big boxes", "ethics", et al.  The special election is for the seat lost in May 2000 because the victor resigned.  Yet the bashing of former officials continue, seems to be a trend deflecting attention away from current missteps by pointing the finger at former public servants.

One of the most laughable statements is that all of these distorted, inaccurate half-truths can be backed up by the "public record". This seems to always to be a safe ploy since the author assumes no one will ever check.  Understandable since at today's Colleyville City Hall, the most trivial of requests require an official Open Records request.

One of the biggest advantages of Internet news is the available space to scan and print the actual documents that accompany articles. In addition, the LNO staff has the perseverance to recover these "public record" documents, although typically the complete records require a number of inquiries and patience.  

While the recent negative attack mailers have made more people aware of LNO and increased our viewer audience, LNO would prefer that the businesses in Colleyville have a more productive relationship with city elected officials or those hoping to represent us on city council.

Perhaps if current and prospective elected officials would pay more attention to the business of the city and less trying to bash local businesses, we could have avoided the episode of the "big bird' median.

LNO will stand on its own merit with accuracy and documentation in reporting.  It would seem appropriate if candidates provided specifics on their own abilities and platforms and less time trying to create some fear-mongering theme about ex-officials or local business.

Would that be asking too much, even in Colleyville?