WUI (Writing under the influence)

Forest Grove News-Times, in its 10/6 issue, published profiles of 7 candidates running for 3 city councilors positions. There is no electronic version of the article. This is what News-Times said about me based on this questionnaire:

Krystof Zmudzinski, an Intel software engineer, immigrated from Poland in 1988, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1994.

As an immigrant, he says he can empathize with people trying to get ahead in life, but that helping the truly needy should be left to churches and charitable organizations. Government's job is to provide basic services and he would work to abolish public instruction in any languages other than English; end housing, utility and transportation subsidies; and stop special preferences in awarding of government contracts.

He would like to see many city services contracted to private businesses. He also would adjust some services, such as reducing library hours, raising aquatic fees and require parks users to raise funds for their use.

"Government should be accountable to its citizens," he said. "Taxation and regulation of private property should be limited to the absolute minimum lest our constitutional rights be infringed."

Together with the profiles of other candidates, News-Times omitted some very important details. First, the light-rail line that some on the council would like to bring to Forest Grove has a potential to damage values of many properties. Second, it would be worth reminding the voters how misguided certain members of the council are in their opposition to the Patriot Act even today, after it was affirmed by the 9/11 Commission.

So I asked the editor of News-Times if I could submit a letter. She agreed. 200 words limit. I will submit the following tomorrow morning, it will be published next Wednesday. I will link to the final copy when it becomes available online.

Vote for sanity

News-Times omitted important details in its description of 7 candidates running for the Forest Grove City Council.

Most current council members support extending a MAX light-rail line into Forest Grove. This will destroy value of properties along the tracks. The council just passed a resolution opposing Measure 37. If Measure 37 fails, property owners will not be compensated for their losses. This "progressive" experiment will have to be heavily subsidized with new property taxes.

Last December, the city council debated whether to oppose the USA Patriot Act. Fortunately, the wiser members of the council understood the silliness of that position and voted it down. They were vindicated by the 9/11 Commission. Blinded by hate for our duly elected President, the minority still regrets not having pushed hard enough. Only Michael Moore's fans can justify this misguided attitude.

I support President Bush in his efforts to combat terrorism and I will vote to reelect him. I will also vote for Ameri, Cox, Yes on Measures 35, 36, 37 and 38, and No on 34 and the library levy. Bring fiscal responsibility and sanity back to the Forest Grove City Council, vote for Krystof Zmudzinski and watch FahrenHYPE 9/11.