The following is a letter to the editor, published here as opinion. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to [email protected].
I would like to say thank you to all who supported me and voted for me. I ran because I wanted to help Ukiah, the town I grew up in, and bring back the town I love.
With that said, this election was not what I expected. As most of my friends and supporters know, I’m not a politician. I sometimes struggle to find the right words that a lot of people want to hear. I have said some things in a moment of anger. What happened afterwards made me realize that this community is not ready to hear different opinions and that people who have different views can be subjected to attacks, threatened and called names. I’m grateful to everyone who knew what was truly in my heart, and supported and voted for me.
I think the votes that I received speak for themselves, that the community wants a conservative voice to balance the City Council. If we all agreed with one another all the time, no new solutions could emerge. I believe healthy debates and listening to new perspectives brings ideas and new solutions to the issues our community has been dealing with for a long time.
The past few months have made me realize that I do not need to be on the City Council to make a difference for my community, I can do all that on my own, therefore I do not plan on accepting a seat on the Ukiah City Council.
I will continue supporting our community in every way I can, especially our small businesses. I plan on volunteering locally and being involved in my community now more than ever, and making sure we continue to demand accountability of our city officials.
I hope this brings everyone peace and I hope you can give my family the same peace.
– Jenny Winiger-Kimbler
I don’t think it’s possible to have a healthy debate around whether it’s acceptable to shoot protestors. You received backlash because the things you said were vile and have no place in civil political discourse. I’m glad you’re not going to be on the city council and I suspect many Ukiahns will agree with me.
I 100% agree with Jonathan. Thank goodness you are not running. Ukiah needs anything but more conservative voices, let alone an angry individual who does not believe in basic human rights.
Mendocino definitely needs a balance of voices. Mostly its liberal left. Jenny is a good person who could have expressed herself differently. Despite that the people who really know her voted for her and she came in 3rd out of 5th or 6th. Hope you never find yourself in a situation where your words are turned against you.
Wanting to see someone dead is not a liberal or conservative position (at least it shouldn’t be). This is a psychotic position and has no place in civil discourse.
I had a reaction of disgust when I first read her statement but I ended up reaching out to her and we met to have a discussion. I am very liberal but after my discussion I would have voted for her had I lived inside the city limits. She explained the circumstances behind her post and was remorseful and apologetic for things she had said. I found her to be very respectful and caring. She made a statement in the heat of the moment which is never good but I would bet most people have. Now her and her family are receiving horrible threats and statements. If people are unable to forgive somebody for a mistake then we will remain divided and that is going to eventually kill this country. Take a look inside yourself then put yourself in her shoes maybe you can find some way to empathize with her. If you can’t well then you may just be the hateful one.