Setting the record straight


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 3:12 PM MDT


Dear Editor:


This is my response to the open letter to constituents from Richard Lopez which is filled with distortions, misrepresentations and blatant lies! Furthermore, I believe that Mr. Lopez is spreading these falsehoods in a cynical, desperate and dishonest attempt to deceive the voters.

First, I would like to point out that I have attended many meetings among them being: Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Mayor/Manager’s, Arizona Town Hall, Government Services Administration (GSA) as well as others and I have held Ward meetings. I have met with members from Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Douglas International Port Authority (DIPA), Douglas Regional Economic Development Corporation (DREDC) and have toured Maquillas and spoken with officials in Agua Prieta. Also I have supported and attended functions sponsored by the Mexican Consulate of which Mayor Gomez [a staunch supporter of Mr. Lopez] did not attend!

Any meetings I may have missed were well attended by other Council members and City Staff and therefore the City was well represented. Furthermore, it is my belief that mere attendance at public meetings is not always the most productive use of time.

In regards to the Finance Committee resolution; our City Administrative and Legal department determined that the City’s interests would be better served by cutting ‘red tape’ to reduce micromanaging from those who opposed progress and therefore produced a resolution which more accurately reflected what had been the actual practice for years while retaining meeting scheduling flexibility and maintaining valued input from the public. This resolution was passed by a majority of the Committee members and by a majority of the Council!

Let me point out that Douglas was one of the few Arizona cities that weathered the recession without layoffs or furloughs and our city continues to combat unemployment by partnering with private enterprises such as the ACCT Call Center which currently employs over 500 people. Due to very competent financial diligence the City is in good shape as we move forward. I am certainly amenable to revisiting the Finance Committee resolution to improve its function but the need to prevent negative political influences from limiting the City’s progress is paramount.

Mr. Lopez perceives that I am responsible for many injustices and makes wild, baseless and irresponsible claims. He seems to ignore the fact that all of these actions were passed by a majority of the Council and so it is simply asinine to try to place blame on me. Just because Mr. Lopez disagrees with my positions does not make him right and me wrong!

The fact is that this recall is being pushed because I have defeated Mr. Lopez in two previous elections and his second recall attempt was tossed out by a Superior Court Judge for Mr. Lopez’ inability to follow simple rules and instructions; Secondly because some of my supporters may have also supported the recall of Mayor Gomez so this is just an attempt at ‘payback’.

Once again I will state that I respect the dignity of all people and will continue to work for best interests of Ward 2 and the community of Douglas. The record shows that Mr. Lopez and others have perpetrated false attacks on me in the hope of defaming my character and turning public opinion against me at Council meetings and in the media for over two years.

In spite of this and in the spirit of the Easter Season I forgive them and will let our civic record of accomplishments speak for itself!

Sincerely,

Mitch Lindemann

 

Comments

    Smiley wrote on May 17, 2012 9:49 AM:

    " I care about that city because I was born and raised there, my family still lives there, and so do my friends. Douglas never used to be this political in the past.....I want the kids of that town to grow up the same way I did, minus all the prisons (high-school gates yada yada yada.)

    All this childish behavior by Douglas' leaders makes me glad I no longer live there. Doesn't necessarily mean I dont like the CITIZENS, business' history of that town.

    Sorry if you took my statement the wrong way, but I just do not like all that has happened to that town in the last 5 - 10 years. "

    To Smiley wrote on May 14, 2012 11:01 PM:

    " For someone who's glad he doesn't live here you sure like to keep up with our town. I have a better idea, stay focused on where you do live and stay out of our business. Seems to me we are better off not having you live here anyway! "

    Nice To See... wrote on May 14, 2012 10:58 AM:

    " Congratulations Mr. Ellsworth!

    It’s finally nice to see an educator retire on their terms… Head up and a slow stroll out the door and not like a recent “tenured teacher” running towards the door with their tail between their legs!! "

    Smiley wrote on May 14, 2012 10:16 AM:

    " I smile because I know I no longer live in that silly town. All of you need to grow up and stop being so political. Dont you realize the rest of the world/city see politics as a joke? All you do is cry, point fingers, and cry some more....you all are digging up dirt on each other..........which makes you all dirty people that need to leave your position. I know 5 year olds that act more classy than ya'll.

    Thank God I no longer live there. You all need to grow up. Leave your office.....all of you. Nobody likes watching out leaders argue, dig up dirt on each other......You all need a reality check, or a good butt-whoopin for screwing our city over by your childlike attitudes. Im ashamed my parents still live there and place their trust in clowns like yourselves. "

    fed up wrote on May 10, 2012 12:58 PM:

    " seriously is this all that Linderman, can do is place blame on someone else? Try to make someone else look like they are the bad person just because he himself cannot look at himself and his own actions and come to terms with them? Richard Lopez is not a violent man nor is he dangerous. If bringing to the table honest questions and valid points is only dangerous and hostile thing then so be it. Yes, it is true he worked for PD and was in the Union, remember that what he fought for was also given to non union members. He fought for everyone. Unlike Linderman who taught music and man handled students which is just intolerable and inexcuseable, he retired to avoid prosecution. Actions speak louder than words. While Linderman has followers who were his students the question remains does anyone of those students even know the by laws and city ordiences, articles etc.? My guess is they probably do not. Do his followers really think that the elders of Douglas in which Richard Lopez was on City Committees prior his move back to Douglas think the all city council did wrong for all those years? I think not. When points are brought out about someone (Linderman) the only thing he can do is call names, create hostility, and unnecessary gossip to cover his own errors because he is not man enough to own up to them. Get a grip and stive to move the city government in a more positive and constructive way. "

    its no secret either wrote on May 9, 2012 11:33 AM:

    " Its no secret that the principal of RBMS (Ms. Good) is out to get anyone who was against Pettit. It is also no secret that the top Administrators and Board rarely support teachers unless they are in the special click as usual in this school. "

    its too bad... wrote on May 9, 2012 8:05 AM:

    " Its too bad that you haters keep posting lies. You don't know the truth and I bet you don't care about the truth anyway. The haters just keep posting distortions and lies! My advice to you is to just get over it!! "

    YO Supporter wrote on May 6, 2012 3:17 PM:

    " “The County attorneys office said the allegations were baseless!!”

    Regardless what they said... The fact is Mitch resigned before the attorneys office responded. Why did he quit? Was he concerned because he has a record of abusing students? People who have done nothing do not give up, they fight... "

    to fed up ... wrote on Apr 26, 2012 9:30 AM:

    " It is disgraceful of you to post such hate. the truth of these people's actions are well known and unChristian! "

    Supporter of Mr. Lindemann ... wrote on Apr 25, 2012 1:14 PM:

    " First of all I am disappointed that the Dispatch would allow a post from 'fed up' which only tries to malign a good man. The County attorneys office said the allegations were baseless!! So why bring it up?
    The truth about Lopez is that he was a 'Labor Buster' with PD. He was busting the Union in those days and now he will lie and stop at nothing to get elected. It is shameful that Mayor Gomez and the others are this deceitful with their going door to door. Lopez can't even spell on his signs and he thinks he can be a City leader?!
    The people pushing this recall are just as guilty of lies and deceit. They are not honest. Someday they will have to explain their unchristian like actions. "

    fed up wrote on Apr 24, 2012 6:34 PM:

    " Enough already Linderman with all the bull that u care for the City of Douglas. U r not without wrong. It is my understanding u retired from teaching to avoid prosecution for man handling a student. U have no ties to Douglas. There have been residents there for years who have more ties to Douglas than u will ever have. Richard Lopez has always been honest and outspoken because he cares! All of your responses are always about how someone else did something wrong and never you. poor poor Linderman always the victim never the problem. Man up and admit ur wrongs instead of always pointing out someone else's wrongs. Get over urself u r not all that and believe it or not Douglas will be just fine without u! "

    Happy wrote on Apr 18, 2012 6:39 PM:

    " I care for Douglas and our family cares for you, Mr. Lindamann. You have our vote! I have attended some Council meetings in the past year and your apponent freaks me out. He is really scarey. He has hatered for you and Mr. Laforge and has threaten both of you. The people in our ward should be aware of Sr. Lopez bad temper and violent behavior. You're presence is of a strong and confident leader. A well educated man with morales is always the winner. Good luck! "

    bulldog11 wrote on Apr 14, 2012 1:22 PM:

    " There are a lot of people out there that support you, Mr. Lindemann. Keep on fighting for our city and for what's right!! We need level headed people like you running our city. Keep up the good work.
    sending prayers,
    - Lindemann Supporter in Ward 4 "

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