I was surprised to see a letter to the editor in the Valley View this week from political activist and Political Action Committee founder Skyler Hansen. It appears that Mr. Hansen has continued his efforts to pester and vex anyone who does not completely follow his political ideals.
While this type of public humiliation attempt is expected during a campaign and it is somewhat tolerated by all, it appears that Mr. Hansen believes that it is his personal responsibility to ensure that all council members bend to his will.
While I agree that we should hold the council responsible for their actions, I believe that we should do this with respect and tact and we should apply the same standards to all council members and not just focus on our political enemies. His tactics remind me of a quote from Democratic Congressman Sam Rayburn,
"If you want to get along, go along."
This is a far cry from the high standard that our founders expected of us. I call on Mr. Hansen to exercise some intellectual honesty and use the same standard to judge all council members.
I urge Mr. Hansen to look at the entire issue and not just at one aspect of it. Look at the results of council member's work not just their attendance record at meetings. If meeting attendance is his one qualification for being a good representative of the people than I look forward to his nomination of Bernie Lomax for the next open seat on the council.
I look forward to all the future letters he will write calling out other council members. Although he should wear long sleeves and pants because when you start throwing stones in a glass house you are likely to get all cut up.
It is about time someone called him out about his antics. We can disagree without acting obnoxious. Maybe a little public scrutiny of his actions will reform his ways.
ReplyDeleteMike
I hope to inspire him to raise the level of debate from the petty to the issues that matter. I truly want him to keep exercising his first amendment rights but I just want a quality discussion not the hit and run type of debate that is all too prevalent in the media
ReplyDeleteI thought that it was IRONIC that he should blast Councilmember Edwards for her attendance on the same day that Councilmember Walker was excused from the City Council meeting because she was away for work. Same excuse Edwards used. Can you say double standard?
ReplyDeleteFinally something we can all agree about.
ReplyDeleteNuts
I thought the article made a point but it seemed pretty biased to me. Why does he not like Vicki Edwards?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
That is a good question. He supported her when she was elected the first time but now he appears to not like her. there were several comments and emails referring to the park impact fee increase. That may be it.
ReplyDeleteIn the interest of full disclosure I did send Mr. Hansen an email letting him know about the posting and I offered to let him comment. He has not yet replied.
ReplyDeleteI think when someone called 911 with a false claim of Mr. Hansen knocking down campaign signs before the election they made a motivated political enemy--not very smart. JP
ReplyDeleteThis is my understanding of the situation.
ReplyDeleteA citizen saw Mr. Hansen out side a neighbor's house writing down some information. He was standing next to an upright political sign for John Durant. (remember that Mr. Hansen stated a PAC to specifically oppose John Durant). When the citizen came down stairs to talk to him, he was standing next to the sign that was now laying on the ground. When the citizen asked what he was doing Mr. Hansen jumped onto his bike and sped away.
This is a pretty strong circumstantial case and would lead any reasonable person to the conclusion that he did in fact cause the sign to be knocked over.
If you have more information on this I would love to hear it.
I understand that the "citizen" who claimed to have seen Mr. Hansen knock down a campaign sign was none other than Vicki Edwards. Doesn't seem credible to me that Mr. Hansen would go to her neighbor's house and do what she claimed in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon. JP
ReplyDeleteJP,
ReplyDeleteA couple of points. Vicki Edwards never claimed to have seen him knock down the sign. It was just a very suspicious chain of events.
As far as being credible, when questioned by the police Mr. Hansen admitted everything except knocking down the sign. He admitted (1)being in the neighborhood, (2)writing down information (he claimed to be counting the number of signs), (3)in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon and (4) quickly riding away when confronted by Ms. Edwards.
Perhaps this additional information will be helpful for you to have so you can re-elavluate your conclusions.
Thomas
JP,
ReplyDeleteYou should also know that there are photos of the incident.
Scott
If this was a cartoon, there would be a tumbleweed blowing across this conversation.
ReplyDeleteonce again id like to point out how JP has not posted a rebuttle but simply dissapeared, undoubtably to make issue with some other policy or event. It is the same way with bullies, once you show them there is no fear, they will choose another victim who will not be as likely to fight back.
-wash
Wash,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I want the picture of the blog to be a tumbleweed blowing by Snoopy's brother Spike as he talks to a cactus, but I appreciate your point.
Thanks, and welcome.
Thomas