Scared of ‘Caribou Barbie’

Friends and neighbors, as a rule I believe in keeping political views private, but this upcoming election is far too important on all levels to stand idly by. It is all about leadership we can count on.

Nationally McCain/Palin scare me. Eight years ago I could have easily supported McCain, but today he is simply out of touch. This has nothing to do with gender because we supported Hillary, but possibly having “Caribou Barbie” a heartbeat away from presidency is not leadership; it’s a shipwreck.

Locally we have the opportunity to keep and gain strong leadership: Sharon Konopa for mayor and Bill Root, candidate for Ward I city council.

I know Bill and have watched him grow from being just another concerned North Albany resident to a leader in the fight for responsible growth. This political stuff is new to Bill, but being an electrical engineer, he is smart, learns quickly and thinks things through thoroughly. Bill is not afraid to take a hard stand on an issue for the citizens.

Sharon is a life-long Albany resident and has been a proven leader in the council for 12 years. Sharon is the only candidate for mayor having been elected to her council seat, three times, as well as elected president of the council by her peers. Sharon listens, is fair in her decisions for the best interest of the citizens and the city. Sharon requires no photo ops or articles in the newspaper to bolster her campaign. Her record of service to the community over more than a decade speaks volumes.

Both are leaders, giving their time selflessly to the good citizens of Albany. Neither is influenced by big dollar or chamber interests. The best interests of the collective good for everyone is their goal. Time has come for leadership representing the citizens of Albany.

Elect Sharon Konopa and Bill Root.

Mark Gasperino, North Albany

Character is fair game

All the “talking heads” on all the news shows are declaring how John McCain and Sarah Palin have “gone negative” with their attempt to link Barack Obama with people of questionable reputation. Sooner or later, these same people will charge the Republicans with racism as well.

The fact is, the character of a presidential candidate is, and should be, fair game. The Democratic Party in general and Senator Obama in particular have chosen to associate with radicals for years and no one calls them out until the presidential election cycle.

Factions like Move on, Daily Kos, and others that are funded by a socialist ideology are not only tolerated but are embraced by the Democrats. The party is rife with people that will accost a soldier returning from Iraq and call him a baby killer while supporting abortion rights. In this comparison, who is really the baby killer? Then, in their spare time, they will do all they can to keep convicted murderers off death row. Does anyone else see the insanity here? How can anyone deem the “civil rights” of a murderer to have more value than an unborn child?

With values like this, is it surprising that Barack Obama would have an association with a confessed domestic terrorist like William Ayers? Does anyone in their wildest dreams believe that John McCain would foster a relationship with someone like this?

I am convinced that the “change merchant” will do, or say anything to enhance his career goals. At the time Ayers had associations that could benefit him, so Obama rode his coattails until a better opportunity came along. That may be OK in Chicago, but I am hopeful that “we the people” of the United States will recognize an opportunist when we see one and send Obama back to the Senate, where political expediency is not as potentially harmful.

In closing, in spite of a rocky start, I really like Sarah Palin. Unlike Barack Obama, she seems to be genuine and real. I suspect she “clings to her guns and religion” just like I do.

Gene Gradwohl, Shedd

How women had to fight

Reference to Linda Bartcher and Susan King, Mailbag, Sept. 16. I don’t write letters very often but I had to respond to Linda and Susan.

If you are in your 70s you have to remember our mothers and grandmothers telling the story how hard women had to fight to get the right to vote in the 1920s. Susan said she trusts Palin, and Linda said Sarah Palin is every woman and me.

Governor Sarah Palin agreed to sign on with Senator McCain to be his VP.

Ladies, Sarah signed on with a man who has voted against women’s rights every time legislation about women’s rights was to be voted on. The two of them are not representing women’s rights.

To quote you again. Linda you said, “Sarah Palin is me and every woman.” I take this to mean you are not for women’s rights, as you agree with Sen. McCain’s voting record against women.

Toni Huntling, Lebanon

Lebanon needs to grow

Nov. 4 we have a choice in Lebanon’s Ward 1 for City Council: We can vote to keep the incumbent who opposed the medical college or we can elect someone new.

I am running for city council because I believe Lebanon needs to attract commercial enterprises that will continue to bring economic growth and stability in a responsible manner. Economic growth and stability brings people to live in our community, which also increases revenues without increasing taxes, to help pay for our fire district, school district and overall city government.

Government doesn’t always work the way we believe it should and it won’t unless we as a people get involved to make it work. Our elected leaders cannot defer everything to the public to vote on; that is why we elected them, to make decisions on our behalf.

But we also need leaders who are accessible, and willing to hear all sides instead of stalemating the process or voting solely based on their own personal interests or their backers’ interests. We need leaders who are willing to talk to each other, negotiate, discuss, vote and move on. We do not need leaders who hold grudges, or who won’t talk to other council members or city staff.

I understand how government works or should work. I have launched the website http://aaron

falotico.com, which after you elect me to city council I will maintain as an avenue for direct discussion and explanation on issues that affect the city and why I voted the way I did. Communication is what we need to help us all understand where Lebanon is going and how we can continue to be the city that friendliness built.

I also want to clarify that I have not sued the city for any reason.

Aaron Falotico, Lebanon

Palin, the cause of warming

Scott Pirie wrote last week to point out how ignorant Governor Palin was for having so many kids. Five! All the global warming and destruction of the Earth that she alone caused!

Gee Scott, I didn’t realize abortion was the answer to global warming.

Bill Neal, Shedd