A letter to the Editor

I received the following with a request to post. I will consider any letters to the editor to be published as long as they are in good taste and do not slander or defame anyone.

Dear Fellow Sierra Madreans:

If after reading your sample ballot you are somewhat confused about the ballot measures, please see the editorial in the following link:

www.sierramadrenews.net

It turns out there are major errors in the printing of the ballot arguments that might lead you to believe the city council and police association (POA) support Measure P. In fact, the council and POA unanimously both recommend the following votes:

YES on U and UA
NO on P

Voting YES on U and UA will help provide vital funding for public safety (decent police wages and paramedic services). If Measure P passes, and U and UA fail, the city will be faced with a budget crisis that will likely lead to cutting virtually all services except public safety (no money for library, parks and recreation programs, etc).

As the editorial and accompanying articles on sierramadrenews.net explain, the errors in the ballot, as well as previous snafus that have cost the taxpayers a lot of money, are a disturbing legacy of our City Clerk, Nancy Shollenberger. After 24 years of running unopposed, we finally have a viable (and very capable) candidate running against her, Karma Bell. I wholeheartedly support and endorse her to be our
next City Clerk. This is a position many voters might tend not to pay much attention to, but in this election please be sure to cast your ballot as a few votes may make the difference in the outcome in a small city like Sierra Madre.

For city council, I recommend the incumbents, Enid and John, who have done a great job and are very knowledgeable of the issues and the government process, as well as committed to environmental improvement and preserving our small town character. The city will continue to face serious challenges going forward, especially budgetary, which will require qualified and dedicated Councilmembers who are able to transcend political issues, roll up their sleeves, make the tough (and sometimes unpopular) decisions, and work hard for the good of the city as a whole. Enid and John have both demonstrated a willingness and ability to do so.

Thanks, and please REMEMBER TO VOTE ON APRIL 8!

Fred Wesley

PS Please pass the word to your friends and neighbors as well!