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Californian's endorsement of Ray Watson slammed
| Thursday, May 15 2008 5:39 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, May 15 2008 5:40 PM
'Tepid' endorsement wrong
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After reading The Californian's tepid endorsement of Supervisor Ray Watson, I immediately thought of why so many voters stay home. For The Californian to support Watson in any way does a disservice to their readers who might give some weight to the recommendations published by the paper. Here we go again, asking people to hold their nose and vote for someone who we acknowledge is lacking for the office.
I recognize that we do not live in a perfect world, but we can do better than this. If a candidate is ill-suited to the job, or has demonstrated his or her contempt for those they are supposed to serve, let us be out front and say, "We just can't recommend either candidate."
Supervisor Watson has shown to many that he has an agenda that supports a narrow group of constituents. Meetings scheduled in his office truly benefit whom? Supervisor Watson, I'll bet.
We've elected enough executives and attorneys to public office throughout our country. What has that achieved? A shrinking middle class, unbelievable public debt and a country divided on the most basic issues that define a civilized society.
I don't know Cliff Thompson, and I don't live in the 4th District. But the paper said quite a bit when it stated he was willing to take some political risk when confronted with wrongdoing.
As a former oil worker and now a home builder, he may have a great deal more in common with many of us than the aloof former television executive, Ray Watson.
JOSEPH HICKS
Bakersfield
Endorsement confusing
Anyone who read The Californian's "endorsement" of Ray Watson in the 4th district supervisorial race might be feeling confused.
After extolling the very real virtues of Cliff Thompson and having much good to say about Watson (I will admit that it's a challenge to do so), you then halfheartedly state that since Watson is a "grown-up" he gets The Californian's nod.
Perhaps the decision was based on hair color? Watson does, indeed, have more gray hair than Cliff Thompson. I guarantee you he didn't get it from worrying about his constituents.
It's time for a change and I wish the element of The Californian that clearly concurred had the guts to stand up and shout it instead of putting it between the lines.
KEATS GEFTER
Lebec
'Grown-up' overrated
I am a 20-year resident of the 4th District. In your mistaken endorsement for 4th District supervisor, you described the incumbent as a "grown-up."
If Ray Watson is a grown-up in his civic life, I hope never to be one. Is a grownup arrogant, negligent, dismissive, disagreeable and just plain lazy? Does a grownup take credit for accomplishments he had nothing to do with?
If re-elected, Watson will have no incentive to change along the lines you suggest. If he hasn't done so in the last six years, why should he if his poor performance is rewarded with re-election?
The part of Cliff Thompson's "past" that I am interested in is his energetic, fair-minded, proactive community service in Taft for many years.
During this brief campaign season he has been instrumental in bringing reconciliation and hope to the fractured Frazier Mountain communities. I have started calling this "the Cliff effect." I hope very much that 4th District voters bring it into the supervisors' chambers on June 3.
BARBARA EDSALL
Frazier Park
Vote on forgiveness ticket
People vote, yet some politicians choose to represent business, special interests, their party, powerful people, friends, etc., at the expense of the constituents who put them in office. As election time nears, I'm hoping that voters turn out in force to elect politicians who will actually lend an ear connected to an open mind.
District 4 in the county seems to be mirroring the city's Ward 3. Both are (under) represented by those looking out for big business at the expense of local residents.
Both Ken Weir and Ray Watson need to get off their high horses and realize that what needs to be protected are the property rights of residents who live here now.
When speculative developers buy land zoned incorrectly for their needs, no one owes them zone and land-use changes to accomodate them at the expense of long-term neighbors.
These men have shown their arrogance and disdain for residents by disregarding the city and county planning commissions and staff recommendations, while demonstrating great ignorance of good land-use practices.
It's a shame when elected officials from other areas take the time to speak to you and drive to your area so as to better understand the issues (Yeah, Supervisor Michael Rubio!) and others listen astutely and immediately assess the situation correctly (You're a jewel, Supervisor Don Maben), while your own representative only offers you a closed mind and insults.
I'm willing to vote on the forgiveness ticket and give someone with a colorful past a chance, since any representation is better than what District 4 has been experiencing.
JENNIFER KELLER
Bakersfield