MaryJae
Linda Curtis Is in This for the Long Haul
RECEIVED Fri., Aug. 5, 2005
Dear Editor:
I want to shed some light on why the mayor took a potshot at me – and, I believe, all political reformers – in a recent article on Wes Benedict's efforts to have our local campaign finance laws enforced [“Benedict Charges Campaign Finance Violations,” News, July 29]. So far, neither the Chronicle nor the Statesman has mentioned my favorite provision in the "Austinites for a Little Less Corruption" $100 limits law passed by Austin voters in 1997. The provision says that candidates who are caught violating the law must risk forfeiture of office.
The mayor also said that if the citizens want reform, it will have to come from "outside" City Hall. In other words, he will continue to complain ad nauseum about the law, while turning his head as the city attorney's office refuses to act when candidates and PACs, like the Austin Police Association, commit gross violations ot the law. Apparently, this is what Wynn thinks "leadership" is, the same "leadership" that led to a massive citizens' petition drive to recall him (to the tune of 37,000 signatures, just a few thousand short) because of his support for the wildly unpopular Central Texas Toll Plan.
I guess there's at least one thing the mayor and I agree on. Change is going to have to come from ordinary citizens. I invite your readers to join us. We're in this for the long haul.
I want to shed some light on why the mayor took a potshot at me – and, I believe, all political reformers – in a recent article on Wes Benedict's efforts to have our local campaign finance laws enforced [“Benedict Charges Campaign Finance Violations,” News, July 29]. So far, neither the Chronicle nor the Statesman has mentioned my favorite provision in the "Austinites for a Little Less Corruption" $100 limits law passed by Austin voters in 1997. The provision says that candidates who are caught violating the law must risk forfeiture of office.
The mayor also said that if the citizens want reform, it will have to come from "outside" City Hall. In other words, he will continue to complain ad nauseum about the law, while turning his head as the city attorney's office refuses to act when candidates and PACs, like the Austin Police Association, commit gross violations ot the law. Apparently, this is what Wynn thinks "leadership" is, the same "leadership" that led to a massive citizens' petition drive to recall him (to the tune of 37,000 signatures, just a few thousand short) because of his support for the wildly unpopular Central Texas Toll Plan.
I guess there's at least one thing the mayor and I agree on. Change is going to have to come from ordinary citizens. I invite your readers to join us. We're in this for the long haul.
Linda Curtis
Independent Texans
Independent Texans
