To the Editor:

Let me introduce the three candidates campaigning for District 9 Alder.

Let’s tackle education first. Polly Dalton has a BA, Brian Beaulieu graduated MidState, Mary McComb has a BA, PhD, MeD. On to experience. Dalton was an alder for a year in college. Beaulieu says he is over 18 and lives in the district. McComb has been active in public service most of her adult life and is running for her third term on Council.

Availability: an alder doesn’t simply attend meetings. This position demands a hefty expenditure of intellectual capital and time, and networking, in order to respond to constituents and move the city forward. Dalton says her days are full with farming, her cider business and substitute teaching.

Beaulieu works fulltime at a papermill. McComb is retired. I personally know many constituents who’ve contacted her with concerns and she responded the same day. She possesses the know how and contacts to get issues resolved.

How will they govern? Polly is idealistic but not pragmatic enough to achieve her goals and lacks the experience. She eschews subsidies and sees a mini picture. Beaulieu says he shouldn’t vote on issues, thinks they should be done by referendum. Do you suppose he knows what a prodigious undertaking this is? 40 volunteers to collect signatures, research, prepare handouts, and several hearings presenting to the Board.

Just how many elections is he anticipating in 2019? McComb understands if we didn’t offer subsidies to developers we wouldn’t have the Business Park, or the proposed Lullaby development. She sees the big picture. Americans put a gameshow host in charge of the country, who had never been a civil servant. How’s that working out for you?

I asked the candidates if they voted in 2016 and if so, for whom. Dalton didn’t respond. Beaulieu said “I am an Independent and don’t believe in the two party system.” A skeptic might see this as code rather than admit he is a Trumper. McComb is a solid progressive Democrat and proud of her voting record.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the tiny but rabid group who ridicule our progressive alders. Perhaps they don’t like education.  Or they prefer the good old boy days, just not the bicycle part! They tap into a taxaphobia deeply ingrained by anti-government conservatives. McComb knows how to read and do math. When the Beatles performed on Ed Sullivan they were paid $2400. It is now 2019.

You’re not being mugged by Government. Taxes are the lifeblood of government and we pay dues to live in and enjoy American society. Citizens are provided a vast infrastructure with 30,000 of our Stevens Point brothers and sisters. Beaulieu says he likes the Downtown just as it is, I believe I will alt delete him now. I’m sold on the candidate who possesses an overwhelming abundance of knowledge, experience, professionalism and time.

The other day I watched groundbreaking socialist liberal propaganda on TV. The Andy Griffith Show. Ever seen it? The wisdom and emotional intelligence in the episodes is astounding. Absolutely the best part of down to earth America.

Yet they were actually quite modern despite their old fashioned charm. They would’ve never gotten all mobby on a facebook page attacking their own City Council. This show should be required watching for all Americans. Andy Griffith, civil servant, wherever you are, I salute you.  And I salute Mary McComb. Vote.

Jody Hurrish

Stevens Point