What GOP candidates for council really stand for
Just a few weeks ago at a county council meeting I attended, Councilman Kevin Madden criticized a woman for serving as a local councilwoman and for her husband’s work with the county. Despite having only served one year as a councilwoman, Madden suggested that she influenced her husband’s 20 years of work.
To note: the contract went through the bidding process. Reminded that the wife of a Democrat senator sat on a county board, Madden had nothing but praise for that woman. While no woman’s professional worth should be judged by her husband’s line of work (and vice versa), I was disturbed that Kevin felt that he could pick and choose. I suppose he was trying to demonstrate corruption. I just saw sexism sprinkled with a good dose of hypocrisy.
Now, Councilman Brian Zidek added an opinion piece in the paper yesterday. He called the party that endorsed my candidacy “corrupt,” that we all are “ideologically bankrupt,” that we influence, that we lie. Just yesterday I saw another 911 county vehicle with a huge sign that read “The Zidek Foundation”, meaning it was bought by Mr. Zidek. While our councilman is not using county money to influence, he sure is finding other ways. I do not have the money Mr. Madden and Mr. Zidek have. I do not currently sit on county council and have the ability to effect change in the same manner they can. But I do know that:
• Contrary to Mr. Zikek’s claim that we do not believe in government helping vulnerable populations because we are Republican, we do. That is what I do on a daily basis. In fact, our entire slate has served our communities in various roles. One of our top priorities is to create a Senior Commission and offer that population a direct conduit to county council.
• Contrary to Mr. Zidek’s claim that Republicans tax in order to fund a patronage system, the county government, under the Republican
majority, has not increased taxes in five years. In addition, Jim, Mike and I have pledged a no tax increase. Our opponents have not, which makes sense since they increased taxes Elaine Paul Schaefer (17%), Christine Reuther (22%), Monica Taylor (every time) - in their various elected roles.
• Contrary to Mr. Zidek’s claim that I am ideologically void when calling out my opponent for protecting a colleague under investigation for child pornography because I am a Republican. I am not. I believe that people’s past records count. Elaine Paul Schaefer’s vote to protect her peer was wrong, period.
I am a mom, wife, a professional, who works very hard to support her family and community. I find these attacks on me, Jim and Mike to not only be lazy because they lack substance, but they are insulting.
So let’s move past this narrative – that all Rs are bad – and work toward making things better for everyone. Your constant partisan dialogue alienates people. It certainly is not inclusive and does not push the county in a positive direction. You are in leadership positions ... so I challenge you to start being inclusive, collaborative and to actually lead.
“I am a mom, wife, a professional, who works very hard to support her family and community. I find these attacks on me, Jim and Mike to not only be lazy because they lack substance, but they are insulting.”
— Kelly Colvin