We need leaders with courage In your October 23 Q&A with the District 1 candidates, Mr. Thalheimer suggests that Mrs. Lightner is opposed to more "things" than she has supported. He would do well to remember that it takes considerably more political courage to oppose an issue than it does to jump, late, onto the bandwagon in favor of popular referenda, such as transferring the Mount Soledad cross to federal hands or siding with children against sexual predators for Jessica's Law.
Perhaps if more of our city leaders showed the kind of courage Mrs. Lightner has demonstrated, San Diego might not be in the mess in which it finds itself now. Gale Spicher La Jolla
Choice should be for Lightner I was disappointed to read your editorial endorsement of Phil Thalheimer for the District 1 City Council seat. By virtue of her experience and long work in the trenches in behalf of our neighborhoods, our parks and beaches and our communities, Sherri Lightner is the far better choice.
Perhaps you have not seen any of Mr. Thalheimer's numerous and recent campaign mailers, in which he distorts her statements on issues, for example, accusing her of wanting to raise San Diego taxes, when she has repeatedly said at meetings and public forums that she does not favor raising taxes. It is distressing to see one of our community newspapers give credence to a candidate who blatantly misrepresents his opponent's statements and positions. David Cooper La Jolla
Light might rethink endorsement Are you sure you don't want to reconsider your endorsement of Mr. Thalheimer?
In your Oct. 25, 2008 Issue on Page A16 you endorse him for City Council in our district, yet on Page A5 in the same issue you print the following:
Question: "As a city council member, what is your role?"
Answer: "I see this as a job. These people (I presume he refers to his constituents) are my employees. I want them to able to get to me."
Was this a typo by you, or a "Freudian Slip" by him?
Given the rest of his answers I suspect the latter. He may listen to us - but in the end he thinks he is our boss and will do what he wants.
We should not elect a dictator; we should vote for someone who will represent our community.
Sherry Lightner will do just that. Ingrid Varon La Jolla
Editor's note: It was a typo and should have read "I want them to be able to get to me."
Misguided Endorsement The Light cites Phil Thalheimer's experience as a city employee and as a businessman in endorsing him over Sherri Lightner in the District 1 City Council race. We are compelled to point out that Ms. Lightner's vast experience at the community level, including her understanding of development codes and the city's ordinances, makes her the better choice. She also understands the importance of the city's failure to represent the interests of its people within our local communities.
From Bird Rock to UCSD, the overwhelming majority wishes of our citizens, and even the city's own development codes, are routinely ignored downtown. By contrast, Mr. Thalheimer has shown us his community interest only when he is seeking office. If he does have an "ability to look at the issues from more than one side" as you claim, perhaps it stems more from his lack of engagement than from a depth of understanding. In short, we support Sherri Lightner because we prefer our council member to know our community and to represent us downtown, instead of the reverse. Orrin Gabsch Ray Weiss La Jolla
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