The Barbara Ellestad November 15th opinion piece in the Mesquite Local News (MLN) is a veiled threat to elected officials to support her view of what she thinks the public wants or face her wrath in print.
She threatens those recently elected to the Mesquite City Council to remember that they work for “us,” and not for those who donated to them. By dividing the population into “us” and them (donors) she sets herself up for future articles where she can criticize elected officials who push issues that benefit both the community and maybe donors but are against her view of “us.”
Consider the self-financed candidates who have business interests in the community and claim only small contributions on their disclosure forms. Who do they represent? Themselves, their business? How about the candidate who discloses about $9,000 in contributions with one at $1,000 but the remaining $8,000 from individual $100 donations? Is that person compromised by a $1,000 donation? What about the high-end campaigner who spends $20,000 on a campaign, with donations from individuals, contractors and labor unions. Is that person any more compromised then self-financed individuals with community business interests? These are just examples and not meant to represent any one candidate.
Ellestad’s attempt to divide the community into “us” and “donors” is self-serving and misguided. She is not the arbitrator of the interests and values held by those who vote, donate or run for public office.
As a final thought, the printing of opinion pieces above the fold in a “news paper,” is a form of yellow journalism and should be avoided if retaining public confidence is of interest to the owners.
Thank you
Mike McGreer
Mike,
I just wanted to point out that YOUR OWN LTE today was published above the fold as were your letters on 10/11/18 and 7/5/18 without objection from you.
While you’re certainly entitled to your opinion, this sounds to me like it’s a continuation of your vendetta against Barb and more of the trash talk we witnessed on the, now defunct, “Let’s Talk Mesquite” website.
Since you didn’t object to any of your previous letters/opinion pieces being published “Above the Fold” are we to assume the only objection to Barb’s opinion piece is that is was Barb’s, or are we to believe that you are a fan of double standards; which is it?
The opinion expressed is my own, Teri Nehrenz, and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Mesquite Local News.
Mr. McGreer, would you please revise your Letter to Editor or add additional information with specific names of the individual candidates attached to your accusations. That will allow the individuals you are inferring of some nefarious motives for their campaign financing to address those now “drive-by” accusations. Regards, David Ballweg
http://abovethefold.fyi