Letter to the Editor: Do Your Homework For Mayoral Race Candidates

To the editor:

Do your Homework!

I understand, but am somewhat frustrated, with recent Letters to the Editor relating to Lakeville’s Mayoral race. Letters to the Editor offer a snapshot of a candidate; they do not tell us who a candidate will be once he or she is given the keys to the city of Lakeville.

We are each entitled to vote for the candidate we wish; however, consider checking a candidate’s website, asking direct questions, and checking a candidate’s voting history before casting your vote. This list of questions may help you get started:

Firstly, what platform does the candidate stand on—Democrat, Republican, other? Is the candidate fiscally conservative or does he support programs that grow government? Careful! Do not count on the color of his/her lawn sign to tell you this; in the city of Lakeville, you will see that a blue candidate’s signs are wearing a more conservative look this year: red.

Second: When and if he/she has already been in office, has the candidate held true to his party platform and promises? Candidates will often speak and campaign supporting the most popular positions on an issue in order to get your vote. Once in office, an elected official has a record. Check into it. Does the candidate flip flop or hold steady on an issue no matter how much pressure may come in from the general public?

Third: Is the candidate equipped to handle the job? Does he/she have maturity, respect for others, financial understanding, and business experience that can be seen in both his public and private life? Does the candidate understand that it takes both a public and private sector to build and support a community?

Fourth: Does the candidate look at his/her political career as just that… a lifelong career? Or, is he doing this service for us, with passion and sacrifice, to help make our community a better place for all?

Fifth: Who is funding the candidate? Are the bulk of campaign contributions received from individuals in the private sector, or well-funded special interest groups and big unions? How will you know? Is the candidate willing to reveal this information for the record?

And finally: Do you trust the individual candidate, not just the party he/she represents? Do you trust he/she to uphold his promises to you based on more than canned speeches, words spoken to you at your doorstep or by phone, or “nice” actions of the candidate that did not necessarily show how that candidate will handle a budget, a board, or our City.

To grow and thrive, Lakeville needs a Mayor who has a complete understanding of the whole system, not just small fragments of it. One who is accountable, honest, and discerning with strong, proven Leadership skills—a mayor who will hold the office for the people, not use it only as his or her next step up in a political career.

After giving considerable thought to my own words, I think it is time for A LOT of Leadership, not just a little. It’s time to re-elect Mayor Mark Bellows and allow Lakeville to continue to flourish, with the skillful, mature guidance of a man who has a history of caring and the experience to understand and address the issues that face our City.

Bryan K. Bartz, Lakeville