May 2: No parties and Campbell

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: May 2, 2008

Keep the parties out of it

To the editor:
This letter is to thank the many Danville residents who have voiced their support of my not attending a City Council forum sponsored by the Democrat Party of Danville.
Our local government is non-partisan. We all run as independent candidates. There is no “R” or “D” after our names. We do not need to inject state and national party politics into Danville’s local government. We all know how hateful Republican vs. Democrat campaigns can be.
The forum in question was actually a Danville Community College class (“Controversial Issues”) which had already held a previous on-campus, non-partisan forum several weeks ago. I attended and enjoyed that event, just as I did the debates at the American Legion, interviews on Comcast cable, the thorough online survey by this newspaper and even the informal breakfast meeting at Hardee’s.
The Democrat-sponsored event was originally scheduled to be held on DCC’s campus. The college said no to the one-party forum and it had to be moved to another, non-state- supported location. The reason DCC did not allow the event is the same as mine for not attending. It represented a single political party.
When we had the earlier forum at DCC, the teacher read us a prepared statement saying that during this national election cycle, he could only find a supporter of Barack Obama to speak to his class — not one other person could be found to support anyone else.
At the time I declined the Democrat Party forum invitation, I was unaware the Democratic event was just a DCC class from the same teacher who could not find a single Republican to visit his classroom. It was then I knew I made the right decision.

T. DAVID LUTHER
Danville

To the editor:
On May 6, we have an opportunity to impact the decision-making process of our beloved city.
I am endorsing Larry Campbell Jr. for Danville City Council because I have seen firsthand what he has done for Danville. He is Danville’s version of the “big give,” only without the hype.
When our citizens lost their jobs and needed employment, Larry Campbell worked with our city leaders to bring the job summit attended by 2,500 people. During the Goodyear strike, Larry Campbell supported the underdog on the picket lines. When our citizens needed food assistance, Larry Campbell started the God Showing Favor food distribution with Food Lion that handed out food and clothing to 20,000 of our citizens in the past year.
These are no small tasks by any measure.
When I watch the City Council meetings on TV, I see Campbell’s face in the crowd, quietly listening to the meetings and getting a clear understanding of the issues at hand.
Let us remember to give back to Larry Campbell on Election Day, for it is well deserved!

ROBERT JENKINS
Danville