Dear Editor, General Elections are always exciting, we voters
have choices to make affecting our country, our state and the
community we have chosen to live. Over the years these editorial
columns have been filled with opinions and strong emotional pleas
to sway support of this or that hot topic. Today is no
exception.
Dear Editor,
General Elections are always exciting, we voters have choices to make affecting our country, our state and the community we have chosen to live. Over the years these editorial columns have been filled with opinions and strong emotional pleas to sway support of this or that hot topic. Today is no exception.
We are asked to vote for a new president and here in Morgan Hill a mayor, two council members and three new school board members. Have we done our homework? Do we know who these people are? Have we attended candidate forums? Have we taken the time to listen to what the candidates are saying? Have we made up our mind? How fortunate we are to have so much power, to sit with our voter information pamphlet and select how our vote will change the course of history. Now that’s power.
If you’re a candidate for our local election, you are out pounding the pavement, walking the neighborhoods, having private coffee meetings, attending community forums, listening to citizens concerns to earn our trust and our vote. Nov. 2 is our turn. We must get out and vote; no excuses allowed. I recall during my campaign for City Council, entering a local convalescent home and assisting elderly voters with the information pamphlet, of course I asked for their support and many voted for me, most important, these folks voted. It is our duty to assist where we can but by all means, get out and vote.
Now, if you still have not made up your mind on our local candidates, do I have your permission to offer my opinion? I’m voting for Greg Sellers for mayor. I was privileged to work with Greg in the formation of the Community Foundation of Morgan Hill, to see his vision and leadership capabilities first hand. Greg also offered his leadership position in developing Charter School Morgan Hill where many of our kids attend today. His mother Virginia Sellers, you know who she is – think Saturday mornings and the Open Air Market Place – assisted in pulling that together. She is particularly proud of how her young son Greg works so hard for our senior citizens making sure they are well cared for and are listened to.
Greg listens to his constituency and cares about our concerns. Greg has a huge support network working on his campaign for mayor. He was raised here in Morgan Hill and is a product of our education system. Married to Suzi, great family guy, young, energetic, smart, very well liked and trusted. He has definitely earned our vote.
Let’s talk about Larry Carr. Larry has been part of the Varela family for many years, going back to his Live Oak High School days growing up with our daughters. He showed us what a fine young man he is. His future was well defined back then, and now look at him. Running as the only incumbent for City Council, Larry has the experience we need. His low-key approach to decision-making is refreshing. He listens intently, does his homework, asks more questions then he decides how to vote on the issues at hand. His professional demeanor represents all of Morgan Hill with integrity and style. I have witnessed his leadership capabilities regarding economic development.
Larry understands Morgan Hill. Look at how he pulled Morgan Hill in front of San Jose regarding Coyote Valley. Larry understands we are not Los Gatos or Los Altos or Sunnyvale. This is Morgan Hill. Larry is proud to have grown up here. Larry was elected to serve on our school board and we elected him again to serve on the City Council. I’m voting for Larry Carr. Experience like his is essential to the future of Morgan Hill.
I have listened to the negative messages by other candidates, and am disappointed that none of them can find anything they like about Morgan Hill to campaign on – if they are campaigning at all. One constantly compares Morgan Hill to Sunnyvale, and he thinks Sunnyvale is the best city to live and work, uuuuhhhhh? Is he also on the ballot in Sunnyvale? He thinks the new Aquatic Center is a bad idea. He offers no solution to economic development and is against just about every idea presented.
The other candidate is saying “not in my back yard” no way, no how. He is referring to the proposal for an auto district, but offers no solution, no alternatives. He said, “I think we need to be more like Los Gatos, I don’t want as many car dealerships as Los Gatos has in Morgan Hill.” Give me a break. What the heck is he doing running for City Council here in Morgan Hill if his desire is to live in Los Gatos? This town has a history of negative-thinking types put into elected positions. These people do not offer solutions and will not represent the majority of our citizens wishes.
I ask you to join me in voting for Greg Sellers for Mayor and Larry Carr for City Council. These two fine individuals have earned our support. We need their experience and energy. Make your choice, please vote Nov. 2.
John Varela,
former mayor and councilman, Morgan Hill
