Pride, Not Shame, in Voting Record
* After reading Jerry Hicks’ 19-inch column Dec. 12, I came to the conclusion that I need not ask him for a campaign contribution.
He says I have been the “no” vote on the City Council for 18 years. Would he prefer that I be like one member of the council who repeatedly has said that he votes with the mayor because he considers the mayor the boss?
Even the mayor admits that most City Council issues are approved with a unanimous vote. However, we are not elected to be rubber stamps.
I do vote “no” when it comes to condemning a person’s home or business when the majority of the elected officials want to replace the property with a different business. Often the reason for the condemnation is because the majority “thinks” that the different business will provide more revenue for the city.
I do vote “no” when millions of Garden Grove tax dollars are donated to a business where it will compete with similar businesses that used their own funds to establish their businesses. A good example is the Smith Grocery, which received a big subsidy, then closed its doors within a few years. Home Depot received a subsidy of Garden Grove tax dollars and two Garden Grove lumber yards closed their doors.
If I am such a detriment to the city, I wonder how Hicks rationalizes the fact that I was elected to the City Council four times while spending $1,000 to $2,000 on each campaign, while my opponents were often spending tens of thousands of dollars.
I did lose this year’s election, when I spent less than $1,000 on the campaign, but I did get over 10,000 votes.
The votes I get are from voters who agree that I work for their best interests. I want their tax dollars to benefit them. I respect their rights to own property. I don’t like to see our city loaded with 3,000-square-foot residential lots. I don’t like the $150-million debt of the redevelopment agency.
I have always been available when residents were in need of assistance. I love Garden Grove, my home for the last 49 years.
BOB DINSEN
Garden Grove
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