Setting the record straight

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