On burning bridges

"Before you burn the bridge, you should make sure you can still get where you want to be after the damage is done."

In politics, attacking your opponent seems to be an accepted practice.   It seems that candidates forget that those they attack may be the ones they will be working with, both staff and elected.  I have tried to avoid this type of campaign, rather focusing on what has been accomplished, building on what is good, how I would do things differently and new directions and priorities for the future of our PUD.

When you belittle the efforts of those in power and their staff, you create a hostile environment in which you may soon be working.  For the most part, the people that are there now will still be there during your term in office.  If you are not elected, you may have raised public concerns about the ability of the organization to manage itself and reduced the community's confidence in the way that the District does business.  This can be devastating to the morale of staff and the ability of the organization to relate to the people it serves.

There is a thin line between informing the voters that you are competent and qualified to serve without inferring that your opponent is not.

Please, let's keep the mud slinging out of our local races.  The candidates for these positions have stepped forward to serve their communities and should be respected for that.

Thank you to those who have already voted and, to those who haven't, don't give up this opportunity for your voice be heard.

Anthony F. (Tony) De Leo