In his letter to the editor on Aug. 31, Councilman Fred Fowler argues that honesty and ethical behavior are the hallmarks of a good elected official. I wholeheartedly agree.

After reading his letter, I'm certain that Fowler shares my disapproval with the Sunnyvale Public Safety Officer Association's negative campaign in 2003.

Now that Fowler has endorsed Tony Spitaleri, I'm certain that he will employ every ounce of his influence to ensure that Sunnyvale PSOA does not repeat their negative campaign in 2005.

It's heartening to see that a commitment to ethical behavior could be alive and well in Sunnyvale.

Tim Persyn

Sunnyvale

Is it a hit piece when rival has time to respond?

As an avid reader of The Sun's editorial comments regarding the Tim Risch and Tony Spitaleri race for city council, I would ask the following questions:

Is it a hit piece if the statements concerning a candidate's past history are posted early in the race so that sufficient time is allowed for the candidate to rebut the purported facts and get them to the citizens?

In the last election a piece put out by the Public Safety Officers Association certainly qualified as a hit piece against Risch with erroneous information coming immediately before the election.

Does the PSOA have an agenda in this election, and can we look for another hit piece against Risch a week before the election?

Has the offended candidate responded to the statements? Does a candidate running for public office have the right to keep his past history secret if it's in the public record? Has any media or non-biased source investigated the statements and found them to be true or false?

Do the citizens of Sunnyvale have a right to know the past history of the candidate, and if not, what's the criteria for voting for or against them? What are the positions of the candidates?

I've seen Risch's positions delivered to my door in a flier but not seen anything from Spitaleri.

I would think the citizens of Sunnyvale should vote and not take the ostrich approach of sticking their heads in the sand, claiming uncivil action by the candidates.

Get the facts; call the candidates and ask their positions. Look and see who is endorsing or sponsoring through money they give to each candidate, and then vote for the individual that best represents you and your community.

People running for public office have their own agenda; does it match yours?

Charles Shoemaker

Sunnyvale

The people of Sunnyvale
have voted on Risch

Regarding Tim Risch's campaign techniques and recent praises about him being a courageous and risk-taking hero are ridiculous.

There is nothing heroic about Risch's campaign tactics. He shows himself to be a politician who slanders his campaign opponent and conveniently forgets to tell people the real reason for his letter to residents was that Tony Spitaleri had dared to run against him for Sunnyvale City Council Seat No. 1.

Risch shows himself to be a frightened and desperate man, willing to do anything to win votes for a seat on council. He overlooks the obvious that his attack tells voters more about his own ethics, moral character and self-esteem. He leaves little doubt that his actions on the council will mirror his negative campaign approach.

If this is how Risch plans to work with the city council, it will be a serious detriment to a council that is presently working very cooperatively and productively.

Sunnyvale City Council deserves better than Tim Risch.

It's time he got the message. He was voted out of office two years ago and defeated by a better candidate. The people of Sunnyvale have already spoken against his political views and tactics.

Spitaleri countered the slanderous charges with honesty & openness. I'm willing to give him a chance. Risch already had his chance.

Judith Hamilton

Sunnyvale resident for 40 years

Youngsters should not be brainwashed by parents

I've been a Sunnyvale resident most of my life. As the mother of two small children and the proud wife of a United States Marine returning to Iraq next year, I'm thoroughly disgusted by the turn our nation and this community has taken against our military and its involvement in Iraq.

As I read the article in the Aug. 24 edition of The Sun, I felt overwhelming sadness. While I agree with the general population on why we should pull out of Iraq, I disagree with this whole Cindy Sheehan fiasco--using her son's grave as her figurative soapbox.

I support her right to pursue what she so desperately feels she deserves, but she's making a farce of everything her son believed in.

I find no harm in showing support for Sheehan. But if you're going to get involved, do not brainwash and drag your very young and very impressionable children along.

The words I read from those young and intelligent children were not their own thoughts but those of their parents. I see it as utterly irresponsible to fill your child's head with your devout beliefs without presenting the other side of the matter.

If we are to have strong, independent and objective children, we have to properly educate them. Let them form their own opinions.

I believe in freedom of speech and freedom of press. I also believe it should be done responsibly. Interviewing and publishing the lamenting trumpery of exorbitantly influenced adolescents is utterly inept.

Deborah Vitale-Riddle

A proud military spouse
in Sunnyvale