Give It A Rest

When are some on the "other side" going to get it, that former candidate, Leelo Bush, was NOT - I repeat NOT a Civic Association "puppet"?

As Leelo's husband, I can tell you she has never been and will never be ANYBODY'S puppet. She won't even be MY puppet and I am her husband. (laughing here) When Leelo filed to become a district 1 candidate for council back in July of 2004, she had never met with, conversed, joined or otherwise alligned herself with the Civic Association. Nor was she willing to be a puppet of special interests in Cape Coral. She was truly an independent candidate, only seeking what she felt was best for this city - a fair and just government that truly represented the citizens of Cape Coral.

At the numerous council candidate forums (including the two hosted by the Civic Association), many attendees came to realize the views Leelo espoused for common sense and fairness in government, were similar to theirs and became her supporters. During the course of the campaign, leaders from citizen's groups (Civic included) and the "other side", came to realize the viability of Leelo's platform, candidacy and that she was down-to-earth and honest.

After the primary, when some citizens began more thoroughly checking into candidate backgrounds and records, they found her opponent lacked the integrity they wanted in a city leader.

This led even some hard-line Jeffers supporters (in Civic included) to ultimately jump onto the Bush bandwagon. Could it be, that these people SIMPLY wanted someone without a ciminal record to serve them on council? What a novel idea!

I for one, would have been happy to see her serve on city council, but I am also happy to have my wife back. I am glad that our lives have returned to some form of normalcy. Leelo and I will remain involved in the community. After the election, we came upon a wonderful business opportunity that I may share more about in the future.

For now, I will say congratulations to those who won and kudos to those who devoted the time and resources to run for office. It's never easy to put your life on hold and run for election, but many lives were touched in the process and many new friendships were established.

Now, let's give the campaign rhetoric a rest and commit to stay informed and aware of city matters. We must make our voices heard and we must hold those elected, accountable to the citizens. Too much is at stake to drop the ball now.
Bear

Smoke and Mirrors of Religious Attacks

During this campaign season, religious attacks of all sorts have come into play with the selection of new city council members.

Councilman Day, running for re-election in district 6, has repeatedly blasted his opponent, Tom Clark for being an atheist. Clark and his supporters maintain that criticisms of religious beliefs have no place in city politics. Mr. Clark has been a dedicated community volunteer and has shown great kindness to residents, without concern for their beliefs.

Lame duck councilman Paul Asfour has berated district 1 candidate Leelo-Dianne Bush for her religious education and of latest, for having the courage to take a stand on character issues and good judgement. Asfour claims that Bush is acting in an un-Christian-like way by pointing out that good character and good judgement are the essence of good leadership.

These attacks arose after candidate Jim Jeffers' November 1st arrest was revealed. When Jeffers was charged recently by the Florida State Attorney's office for a second degree misdemeanor in falsifying an indigence claim, Asfour upped the attacks, accepting a position as Jeffers attorney so that he could further attack Leelo Bush and her campaign with false accusations, which he has continued to levy against her in newspapers and on a Fox-TV news report. This same report depicted a scowling, angry candidate Jeffers trying to escape and hide from TV cameras, while muttering his declaration of innocence. STRANGE behavior for someone who claims to be innocent of charges.

Christians are not called to be doormats to the abusive rhetoric of political tyrany. I am proud of Leelo Bush, for calmly standing on her principles. The bible calls on Christians to stand up for truth and their faith, and that is exactly what Leelo is doing.

"If anyone is looking for me to cover up the wrong-doing of others, they've got the wrong person for that," Leelo Bush said. "I hope the voters see who truly will stand for truth, justice and fairness."

For reference, Jesus, during his "Sermon on the Mount" said "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great..." Matthew 5:10-12, NASB.

It is clear to me Leelo Bush is holding her own in this campaign and that angers desperate Jeffers' supporters. It is also clear by who is standing up for Jeffers, that he is ALREADY beholden to special interests.
Bear

Post Your Election Predictions!

On this eve before early voting begins through April 5th, I am offering an opportunity for everyone to post their predictions on how the April 5th elections will turn out. You have been out in the community and have heard what your friends, neighbors and relatives are saying. I invite you now, to give your views on who will win their respective races.

Candidates for Mayor: Eric Feichthaler, Incumbent Arnold Kempe
Candidates for District 1: Leelo-Dianne Bush, Jim Jeffers (no incumbent)
Candidates for District 4: Dolores Bertolini, Louis DeJoy (no incumbent)
Candidates for District 6: Tom Clark, Incumbent Tim Day

Jut click on the "COMMENTS" link below the post in this section and tell everyone what you think.
Bear

Stay the Course, Or Change Leadership?

I sit at city council meetings nearly every Monday night and watch people come up at to tell how dissatisfied they are with the way the city is run.

Some council members don't even listen to the people. Some laugh at them. And some scratch their mikes when they are not pleased with what they hear. One member went as far as to tell the people, "Rule #1 - we make all the rules; Rule #2 - refer to rule number 1."

When we listen to some city council members, everything is great and we should continue with business as usual. If you agree, then keep them. But if you are unhappy with the way things are, then the only solution is to elect new people who can make changes for the better.

But as for me, I don't think things are ok in Cape Coral. A few big spenders on council have increased the city budget at every turn.

These same big spenders support Jim Jeffers and have attacked Leelo Bush with the aid of "certain" media. Not ONE attack on Leelo Bush was legitimate. Even the media, which printed these attacks, finally came forward with the truth.

In my opinion Mr. Jeffers' apology for his disorderly intoxication arrest on November 1st lacked sincerity, especially after originally denying his drunkenness. In the first newspaper report, Jeffers said he was justified in his actions, and now that the heat is on, he is sorry. Exactly what is he sorry for? Committing the offenses he denied... or for getting caught?
Bear

Unethical Use Of Council Position

I was informed recently by a long-time resident that some years ago when former Mayor Butler tried to endorse candidates, he was stopped and informed it was unethical to use his office as a platform for trying to influence the outcome of elections. In Butler's case, a big deal was made out of this although it was only an endorsement. In Asfour's case, he is not only publicly on the record as endorsing Jeffers, but also has gone on a mud-slinging attack against Jeffers' opponent. Should not Mr. Asfour be held to the same standards as his predecessors in Cape Coral city council?
Feel free to post your thoughts by clicking the comments link below.
Bear

Search For Integrity

It has been stated innumerable times that the purpose of background checks is to validate academic records and report on criminal backgrounds, not finances.
It is becoming abundantly clear that neither Asfour or Day are staying with the program here.
Asfour in today's letter to the editor to the Breeze, is putting up smoke and mirrors about Jeffers arrest. Day, who works in law enforcement, went on the attack when Jeffers criminal activity was alluded to in a recent debate. Based on their actions it is clear that when it comes to politics, they will support even a criminal, if a criminal is likely to vote in favor of their policies or programs.
(In my book criminal offenses include assaulting a police officer, and disorderly intoxication, regardless of the final disposition of the case, or any leniency shown by a judge. Using profanity and being uncooperative with police, further reinforces the grounds for the arrest.)
Yet Asfour believes it is appropriate to dig up erroneous financial information in a futile attempt to taint his candidate's opponent.
Let's get it straight here. This is all about politics and has nothing to do with integrity.
Your comments as always, are welcome.
Bear

Mayoral Race - General Election

Please post your comments about mayoral candidates and/or issues in this race. Just click the comments link below in this section, to leave your comment.
Bear