Dear Editor, I hope this will be the last letter that Times
readers endure concerning criticism of me that Steve Harkness
began.
Dear Editor,
I hope this will be the last letter that Times readers endure concerning criticism of me that Steve Harkness began. It now has reached clear to North Carolina and enlisted former City Councilmember Cynthia Cook.
Mrs. Cook is honest enough to say that she “perceived” my support for her campaign to be linked to her “yes” vote for my client on a matter before the Council. I neither said nor did anything to create the perception, and I harbored no such intent.
I tried to discuss planning issues, i.e., how my client’s donation of a lane for the neighborhood road would eliminate the existing traffic hazard, despite an increase in traffic from the development; how the client was merely trying to make the same residential use of her land as the opposing neighbors who completely surrounded her.
Ms. Cook, by contrast, turned the discussion political and shut it off, by saying she would vote against my client because the neighbors supported her campaign. I believe what she really “perceived,” is that the neighbors’ support for her was tied to her “no” vote and her rejection of my support.
At best, this crude approach squandered the opportunity democracy gives each of us to guide public decisions by principle rather than expediency. In extreme situations, it threatens the rule of law, and the civil liberties of minorities.
Bruce Tichinin, Morgan Hill
