Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.Â
Dear Editor:
After the League of Women Voters Fort Bragg City Council candidate debate, it’s clear one candidate stands out as being the best informed, most qualified and public service-minded. And that is Lindy Peters.
Lindy has served the City of Fort Bragg well for many years. He has worked hard to represent the best interest of the entire community. Make no mistake, that isn’t an easy task. There are lots of issues where the community is divided. But bridging divides to find creative ways to unite the community and deliver real progress is a special talent Lindy is especially good at.
Lots of candidates talk about having the best interests of the city at heart. But have they demonstrated by their actions, they are really willing to do the hard work it takes to make that happen? Lindy has.
Voters should re-elect Peters and insure the city has the qualified energetic representation it needs to address the challenges our community confronts going forward.
Peter McNamee
Fort Bragg
Mr. Peters lacks the professionalism and courtesy expected from a public servant. He should not be reelected. All the other candidates appear better suited.
Absolutely! Claiming that Lindy helps bridge divides is laughable; he creates the divides through his rude and demeaning behavior during council meetings. I don’t mind his silly personal attacks against me but many people have told me they stopped participating in and making comments at city council meetings because of how hostile and rude Lindy has been toward comments he doesn’t agree with and toward me in particular. Is that what you want? Someone who is hostile and childish and discourages public participation through his unprofessional conduct? Not me, it is time to turn the page and move on from his divisiness and elect two of the four new faces in the race this year.
Lindy was most well informed. Chances are when most of the candidates were in high school; lindy was probably doing the play by play for football games. I haven’t always agreed 100% of the time with him. Who agrees 100% with anybody serving in leadership roles? A stand out issue is why do people feel there should be a variance in codes and laws around the skunk train while other people are pulling costly permits and being inspected? Do old school people of fort bragg actually believe any modern rail system developed all the way past willitts would ever send any real rail freight over a line designed for short logging rail cars? That whole line would need regraded, realigned, all old trestles probably older than Albion bridge replaced. And the rails are cut off a hundred feet back from the tunnel! Last trestle before tunnel is signed as a pedestrian path! Mark my words in five years from that big loan the skunk will fragment off of sierra and default on paying it back. Or my names not firejd frank! There are good people running for council seats. I like all of them. Lindy has the experience to navigate fort bragg and history to back it all the way back to council meeting in a Van Halen shirt. Pick any city issue or funding or project and most likely lindy can fill in the backstory about it. Solid experience matters sometimes.
Lindy certainly puts off that appearance but not if you actually know the facts and history yourself, then you will recognize his frequent misrepresentations or mistakes about what has occurred. Perhaps his memory isn’t what it used to be, mine certainly isn’t, but he presents so-called facts a lot that are anything but. I am not sure where there is such a focus on the false narrative that the Skunk Train is claiming to be exempt from permitting for new development on the Mill Site. They haven’t but too many people believe that to be the case. Is that because Lindy is pushing that narrative so he can claim it is something he will try to defend against? Who knows but it appears that way to me. There is no variance in codes that apply to the Skunk Train and any other applicant with the very minor exception that if they work on railroad buildings like the historic roundhouse they restored recently, then they don’t have to get a local permit and the work is supervised by the federal government instead of the city or state. No one else in town has any railroad-related buildings so this is not even a real distinction. Almost none of the potential development on the Mill Site could fall into that category either so what is the real concern? The only concerns I have heard are made up or not based in reality. The fact that Lindy doesn’t appear to understand that either demonstrates how his “experience” isn’t all that useful or pertinent to future city council decisions. Instead, he takes positions based on false information and incorrect assumptions. A fresh perspective from people who actually created successful,local business or work in government is far more useful and important than whatever Lindy has been doing for all these years. Scott and Bethany have local businesses and Ryan has extensive local government experience, particularly regarding public works and infrastructure as well as public safety as a former Community Services Officer at the PD and volunteer firefighter. Mel is newer to town and I am not as familiar with her experience but she has a good head on her shoulders and has quickly started getting involved in community activities. More importantly, none of the other four have all of Lindy’s unappealing baggage. Choose wisely because our community’s success depends on it.
But there is no federal oversight on skunk projects nor is the three mile train line a federally regulated transportation system or else they would be required to retire that gross polluting rig that smokes its way up the tracks. Try getting a state air quality person on that ride and see how that goes lol. I have video of local worker tearing stoo work order off rail bike building. Pictures of the deck with piers all over in wetlands. Zero permitting and I can point out many code violations. As for candidates? I like them all but doesn’t Bethany get paid for training with fort Bragg police? Kind of a hard sell getting rid of corruption with a paid council member. Tell me how a train line designed for short logging cars , with tight turns and very old grading, trestles etc can ever pass as rail transport?? Tunnel backfilled, rails cut off a hundred feet back from tunnel? Skunk is a three mile tourist ride, nothing more. Ok something more; it pollutes the pudding creek corridor daily, and would never pass any federal regulations for air quality.
Your name suggests you care about reforming the FBPD. Lindy is a steadfast supporter of everything Chief Cervenka does so he might not be the best choice for anyone who wants reform. Bethany does or did make money from the City of FB but would have to stop if elected–a councilmember can’t have contracts with the City. You are incorrect when you say there is no federal oversight of the Skunk Train, whether or not that oversight is actively pursued is another matter. I have seen a few things along the tracks that concern me too but they will be fixed and addressed through the restoration project that is being funded by the federal loan that people like Lindy seem to think we should oppose. That is counterproductive because the current situation is causing the issues and why would anyone want to prevent them from making the necessary repairs and upgrades?
I too found Lindy to be heads and shoulders above the other candidates at the Candidates Forum. He not only earned my vote, I also decided to work on his campaign based upon the answers he gave. Learn more about Lindy’s campaign and endorsements at http://www.lindypeters.org