Watch what they do, NOT what they say

John Gretz filed a complaint against me because I had left off the word "for" on my campaign signs preceding the office I sought.  I do not dispute that I made an error.  I did immediately correct that
error upon it being called to my attention.  It was minor and transitory.

Here is my email to Mr. Gretz about his superficial and false attempts to act as a friendly adversary in this campaign and his true behavior seeking any small advantage possible to protect his seat in the Mayor's chorus.

"I received a copy of the complaint you filed against me for the temporary omission of three

letters (inadvertent) on my signs. 

I picked up ALL the signs I could find (I believe a couple of them may have been removed

by a party other than one of my supporters) that evening.  Both myself and my supporters

drove the streets of Windcrest on the morning of the 28th to ensure that we had collected

all the signs.  I also sent an email to Code Compliance that I had collected my signs, but an

uncorrected sign might "show up" without my authorization or approval due to an unauthorized

party securing a sign.

 

I'm confident your campaign was not damaged in any manner or degree by such a minor and

transitory occurrence.   You may also recall that the City Manager had answered a complaint

about signage (placement) by stating that the Administration allowed corrective action on signage, without penalty, if the corrective action was done with dispatch, which certainly was the case with my corrective action. 

I expected more gentlemanly comity from you. You may recall I demonstrated such courtesy to

you by letting you know that some of your signs were placed in error.  You were informed so you could have time to correct that error without any subsequent official complaint to the Texas Ethics Commission or our own City Hall.   

It appears that despite your communications with me indicating a desire to avoid a bitter and nit-picking campaign season and a wish to maintain a social relationship based on a common interest to improve our city, you have succumbed to a "win by any means" attitude.

 

I do understand the need to follow rules and regulations.  I also know that minor infractions of bureaucratic guidelines do not warrant excessive attention nor destruction of social and business relationships, especially when corrective action is quick and no harm done. 

When I am seated in your place, I will never publically or privately speak of friendship and "community" while concurrently engaging in surreptitious behavior that gives the lie to my statements. 

I think it best that you drop the façade of a friendly attitude toward me. I no longer trust that your words indicate your true intentions and beliefs."

 

                                                          ----- End of my email ------

 

IF YOU ARE A STUDENT OF HISTORY, YOU KNOW THAT JAPANESE AMBASSADORS WERE NEGOTIATING A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES AT THE SAME TIME THEIR NAVY WAS STEAMING TOWARD PEARL HARBOR TO ATTACK OUR FLEET.

 

FDR called it a "DAY OF INFAMY".  Do you see any similarities in the behavior of the Japanese

who wished our destruction and that of Mr. Gretz?