AN OPEN LETTER FROM MAYOR JUDY DICKINSON

By Judy A. Dickinson

This campaign has been characterized by lies, untruths and dirty campaign tactics. However, I am most bothered by the mischaracterization of my record, and I want to set some things straight.

Dear Concerned Placentia Citizen:

I am running for re-election to the Placentia City Council because I want to ensure that Placentia continues to move forward. Our city is at a critical juncture and the outcome of this election will decide whether we continue working toward the future, or whether we crumble under the pressure of special interest groups.

Placentia deserves a vigorous debate of the issues. Instead, this campaign has been characterized by lies, untruths and dirty campaign tactics. For example, I have had over 200 signs stolen or torn apart. On one busy intersection, 10 of my campaign signs were torn down and, in their place, were signs supporting the slate endorsed by the Police Officers Association union.

In addition, I have collected numerous signs of mine, and those of City Council Candidate Scott Brady and Treasurer Candidate Lee Castner, that have other candidates' campaign signs stapled to the front. I will never engage in negative campaigning.

However, I am most bothered by the mischaracterization of my record, and I want to set some things straight. For the past four years, I have worked to make decisions in the best interest of the entire community, as have four of the five current City Council members. As your Mayor, I have:

• Voted for 7.14 police officers per city square mile and allocated $9.5 million, or 34 percent of Placentia's budget, to the police department. In fact, in 2003-04, felony arrests increased 9 percent and juvenile arrests were up 50 percent.

• Maintained a balanced budget.

• Championed a plan to increase the tax base by revitalizing Placentia's downtown without city subsidies.

• Worked with Placentia's state and federal elected officials to silence the train whistles.

It is easy for new candidates to be critical of this City Council's difficult decisions, but I am proud of what we have done and where we are going. Placentia deserves a City Council filled with people who will research the issues, take into account all viewpoints, and vote their conscience. This City Council does not need candidates beholden to unions or other special interest groups. Today, I ask you for your vote to keep Placentia moving in the right direction. Most importantly, though, I ask that you sort through the politics of fear and vote based upon the truth.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at home at (714) 524-6951. Thank you for your consideration.

God Bless,

Mayor Judy Dickinson