Letter to the Editor: Nobody Will Remember What You Said in Two Years ...

Dear Editor:

Election Day is upon us. I look for candidates whose ideals most coincide with my values and will vote those same convictions. Will they count on their constituents to remember their “Promises and Performances” and hold them accountable? Or do they hope voters will forget?

Joe Atkins said, and must believe, that people won’t remember from one campaign cycle to the next. However, some of us do. We continue to pay for his “Performances AND his Promises.”

For example:

As mayor, Atkins credits himself for building amenities “with no taxpayer dollars.” Despite cost cuts, the VMCC/Aquatic Center still loses nearly $500,000/year.  

Joe uses Target as an example of “streamlining tax codes and regulation.” Target started building and stopped due to the bad economy. IGH gave the developer $1million to get Target to finish their own job! 

I received an urgent email from Atkins’s campaign in October. Asking for money ASAP to allow him to “set the record straight” regarding his opponent’s challenges to his voting record, violating Joe’s own commitment to not accept contributions during breast cancer awareness month.

Atkins has already raised $65,000, and has spent nearly to the limit allowed. I was shocked to learn 42% of his donations go to “non-campaign expenditures;” including $5,800 on dinners/food and $3,200 on cell phones. Yet he “needs” more?

Joe has a reputation of being “nice.” In fact, he will often agree with you. We remember well the genial conversation, but have you ever checked to see how he voted?

I'm supporting Paul Tuschy in his “David vs. Goliath” battle against the entrenched, well funded, Atkins. Paul’s message of “personal liberty and freedom to prosper” brings new hope for a new day. Now that is something worth remembering.

Dian Piekarski