Do you really know who you are voting for?

[Fernley News]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
FERNLEYNEWS.COM PERMILINK - Do you really know who you are voting for?

November 4, 2009
submitted by Garret Burleson

How does anyone make sense of the ongoing recall elections?

Many of us have heard the statement, “Does the expected outcome warrant the expense”?

I am trying to objectively understand from all vantage points what benefit these recall elections actually offer the citizens of Fernley. Councilman Martin, I believe, was unfairly recalled.

We are now at the 11th hour for Councilman Chaffin’s recall election. Where will this circus end?

I want to plead with the citizens of Fernley, and the people of Ward 4, to take a hard look at who you are voting for. It is clear that Mr. Bob Chase and Sue Seidl have played active rolls in a local fanatic group trying to derail local government officials. (I have first-hand knowledge of this and will return to this point in a moment.)

Mr. Chase has already proven to be an embarrassment to the City Council with his lack of knowledge of the issues.

Is this what you voted for?

I struggle to understand why, but have come to this conclusion. After speaking with many of the citizens of Wards 3 & 4, I have determined how they got the necessary signatures.

Ignorance and peer pressure were the two things that this small group had in their favor. The majority of citizens are busy just trying to survive these days. They are not familiar with the current events of the city, county or state. They are balancing, work, family, sports, church, etc. When their neighbor knocks on their door, whom they haven’t seen since last year at Halloween, they are pressured into signing a petition that they know nothing about.

Peer (neighbor) pressure is a powerful thing. In many of the instances when people would not sign the petitions, they were then asked the final question, “Are you happy with your water bill?” They answered no, but still would not sign the petition. Are you happy with your water bill? Is this all these people have to offer? No, I am not happy with my water bill. I am also unhappy with my electric, gas, phone, fuel and cable bill, because they all keep going up. Yes, they voted to approve the water treatment plant. Yes, Mr. Martin and Mr. Chaffin were both there, but given the circumstances, mandates and timelines that were given to the City; they voted the way they felt the community as a whole would benefit.

Haven’t you ever had to make a decision in life that involved choosing between “crappy and crappier”? This was what they had to choose from at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20, and it is easy now to second guess decisions, but I respect them for making a tough decision and sticking by their votes.

I want to speak now of this small fanatical group of people that use; fear, intimidation and peer pressure to get what they want.

I am a publicly elected official on the Board of Directors for NLCFPD as well as an appointed Planning Commissioner for the City of Fernley. I have given many hours of selfless service to the community, through these two organizations as well as my active membership in the LDS Church. I do not receive any payment for my service. I serve because I want to give to others. Serving others gives me a sense of unity with the community, neighbors, friends and loved ones.

At a council meeting a few months ago, I openly voiced my opinion to Councilwoman Malloy, by saying “I felt she represented 20,000 people within the city, not just the small fanatical group of 5 individuals sitting in the council chambers at the time”. This was simply my opinion based on what I saw.

Is this not the purpose of public input? This allows citizens to voice their thoughts in a manner consistent with open meeting law.

I later found out that within a short period of time after this meeting, members of this fanatic group solicited my neighbors to inquire about me. They found out from one of my neighbors that my rear fence line was 12’ feet off the property line. They quickly filed a complaint with the city that I was “receiving special treatment” as a member of the planning commission for having my fence in the wrong location. After receiving a call from the City, I demonstrated that I had an agreement in place with the private property owner behind me. The rear property owner owns the private roadway easement behind my home and had allowed the fence to be pushed out to allow a garden plot for the previous homeowner. After discussion continued with the city, they agreed that this was not a city matter but instead an issue between two private land owners.

The interesting thing is that these people tried to hang their hats on the fact that I was receiving “special treatment as a public official”, but failed to verify that the fence was pushed out 8 years prior to my wife and me purchasing the property. I simply acquired this issue when I bought the house and formalized the agreement with the property owner to the rear, when I bought the home.

Why would anyone bring up a personal issue such as this on a public website?

I feel so strongly about what is going on in our community that I feel the overwhelming need to let people know who they are voting for and what they are voting for.

Sue Seidl openly stated in her RGJ comments this week; “I am a passionate believer in the Constitution, freedom and property rights.” Mrs. Seidl, I don’t know what Constitution you are referring too, but most certainly not the same one our Country and State were founded on. What freedoms do you believe in? The freedom for me to voice my opinion in a public meeting to later be harassed by your fanatical group of associates, at my private residence? What property rights do you believe in? The ones that require City officials to waste valuable time and wages to investigate a frivolous allegation that my fence was not in the proper spot?

People, I am pleading with you to wake up and understand what is going on here.

This group of people, including Seidl and Chase are trying to ram their ideals down your throat. I am a conservative individual that strongly believes that our core values are being attacked as a community and a society.

Are you going to let this happen?

Most people are afraid of getting involved in local government, because of their fear of conflict. Anything worth having in life is worth fighting for. Heck, for all I know, they will come after me next for my comments here today. I am certain my wife and family would not mind seeing me around the house a little more if this were the case.

I will not be intimidated by these fanatics and feel that the good people of Fernley deserve to know what my experience with these people has been.

Get out and vote by Friday, to protect your vote. Curt Chaffin is an honest man with integrity and values. You may not agree with him on all of the issues, but I assure you that he always votes in the best interest of the community as a whole. For this reason, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Councilman Chaffin.

Let’s do the right thing!

Garret Burleson

[Garret Burleson]

My 2 Cents. What is a "good old boy"? Does this describe someone that has lived in Fernley for a long period of time and is trying to hold on to the past? Does it describe someone that is included in a social group of friends that sits in places of government and authority that twart growth and change? I am glad you have posted a comment about me being a "good old boy", because I am now going to demonstrate to you how ingorant you are and how little you know about me. First of all, I have lived in Fernley for only 5 years. I have never held a public office prior to moving to Fernley. I have a very successfull career in Construction Management and prior to moving to Fernley, my wife and I moved 15 times in 12 years because I worked for Peter Kiewit and Sons all over the country on large public works projects. Because we were transferred so many times, I was unable to ever serve my community, in a political role. I decided to do so, when I came to Northern Nevada, because I felt the need. I have held public office as a Planning Commissioner for 2 years now. I have been successful in doing what I felt was the best thing for the community as a whole, not what was best for one neighborhood, one group of people or a individual person. I am a equal opportunity offender, to all. I have made some friends along the way and have made a few enemies as well. You may not like what I have to say or how I vote, but you will never be left wondering what my position is. I was also elected last year to the Board of Directors for NLCFPD. If you knew anything about what has been going on during the past year you would clearly know that I have not been a very popular person, with some of the long time citizens of Fernley. This has been a result of making tough decisions on complicated issues regarding the Fire Board. I will not elabrate on this, because you most likely already know what those issues are, and want to remain in hidding and take cheap shots about something you know very little about. We have very few publically elected officials that have the guts to do what is right, without fear of political loss. I happen to be one of those people. Once you define what a "Good Old Boy" is, maybe I can let you know if I am one or not. If I am a good old boy, then I will wear it with honor. Meanwhile, you really should speak of things you have first hand knowledge of, otherwise you just look like a complete fool. Mr. Chaffin is an honest man and needs to stay seated. If he is recalled and Seidl is seated, we will all get what we deserved in the end. Please speak only of those things of which you have first hand knowledge, otherwise it simply taken as defamation of character.

[CmonFernley]

CmonFernley is NOT a "good ol boy". CmonFernley has lived in Fernley for only 6 years and doesn't even know Curt and Monte. CmonFernly is just calling it how he sees it.

[my 2 cents]

OK Go Wolf Pack, do you live in Fernley? I think it sounds great what all of you are saying, but lets look at the facts here. If this election was not legal, would it be taking place? I think Sue will make a great Councilwomen.
What I see is that Garret is part of the good old boys, Go Wolf Pack doesn't live in Fernley, and CmonFernley is maybe part of the good old boys, Elect Sue, she can do the job, I would like to see Curt the cry baby leave his office that he holds now. Get with the time Curt, you need to talk to the few.

[Go Wolf Pack]

Garret... You really nailed it on the head! Well-written! I couldn't agree with you more! I just hope that the people of Ward 4 get out and Vote for Curt Chaffin! It would be a great loss to the community of Fernley if he was unseated. I loved reading your blog! It sheds a perfect example of how these radial people are trying to take over Fernley and manipulate the system for their own selfish motives. They attack innocent people with slander and lies. They are constantly seeking out conflicts... They are really like a bunch of "3rd Grade Taddle Tails!!!- Not as cute, but defintely as persistent... STOP THE MADNESS AND NEGATIVE RADICAL GROUP--- Vote for Curt Chaffin!

[CmonFernley]

Mr. Burleson, very well written. This whole recall fiasco has motivated me to to at least get off the sidelines and voice my opinion in a public forum. One might ask why I am using a screen name and the only answer I have is that I am not yet ready to expose my family to the tactics of this small, minority, radical group. However, my opinion as a Fernley resident is no less discounted. I do not live in Ward 3 or Ward 4 and do not know Mr. Martin or Mr. Chaffin but still know this is wrong. Like you, I have been enouraging the voters to gather the facts and then go vote their consience. Folks, do what is right!