How do you campaign against a councilman called to military duty?
In today's column, I explore the challenges that Susan Good faces as she attempts to unseat Councilman Larry Westerlund in Fresno's District 4. Westerlund has been called to active duty, and is expected to end up in Iraq for most of his tour. So Good not only must take on a soldier going off to fight for the US of A, she also must contend with the complication of him not even being here for the last 18 days before the June 3 primary election.
Good complains that Westerlund has ducked her during the time he has to campaign. She says she has brought out issues early out of fairness to Westerlund, but he hasn't responded. She has a point. Westerlund seems to be adopting the tactic of a football team with a lead in the final quarter: run out the clock. He leaves for active duty on Friday.
This is a fascinating race that hasn't received the media attention that it deserves. Read my column on the fascinating twists and turns in this campaign by clicking here.
Comments
God Bless Westerlund. I am quite sure his head is not all thec way in the game so give him a break. He is leaving shortly to go to war and leave his family. He has very limited time to work on his campaign at all. If he wins the election on it will be on his past accomplishments and respect for his sacrifices in going on military duty.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | May 11, 2008 7:15 AM
I'm sure Mr. Westerlund would agree that he does not serve the City well if he is not here.
Posted by: Rich | May 11, 2008 10:06 AM
Very True Rich. If only the ones that are here would serve the City.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | May 12, 2008 7:16 AM
I'm confused, if he wins, does the seat remain unfilled until his return?
Posted by: swift | May 13, 2008 9:38 AM
The City Council has named lawyer Paul Caprioglio to serve in Councilman Westerlund's place through the end of the year, and into the next term if Westerlund wins re-election to his District 4 seat on June 3.
Posted by: Jim Boren | May 13, 2008 10:04 AM
As someone who lives in District 4, can somebody tell me who this Paul Caprioglio is? All I know is that he is an attorney with an office downtown, and apparently the City Council found him to be an amicable guy to work with. Does he even live in our District? Has he been involved in any community issues? How is he going to represent our interests if we don't know him, and he doesn't know us?
Posted by: Mike D. | May 13, 2008 11:24 AM
All this has been reported in The Bee. Yes, he has to live in District 4 to to represent the district. There also was a public meeting at Hoover High School at which Mr. Caprioglio was introduced to District 4 residents. That was also reported in The Bee. See stories on 4/8, 4/16 and 5/8. We also wrote an editorial on 4/18 about Mr. Caprioglio.
Posted by: Jim Boren | May 13, 2008 11:47 AM
There were indeed several articles in the Bee about the process of selecting him. Nothing that I saw about who he is, other than what I stated. I didn't even see anything about whether he resided in the District (and I looked specifically for that), so I presume you are just going by what the City Charter requires, not by what you reported.
I couldn't make the Hoover meeting, so I guess I'll have to wait until he's seated to find out what he stands for, etc. I usually read your editorials, but somehow missed the 4/18 one.
Since a vote for Westerlund is also in effect a vote for Caprioglio, I would have appreciated knowing a little more about him.
Posted by: Mike D. | May 13, 2008 1:48 PM
That is a good point, Mike, although a vote for Westerlund is not a vote for Caprioglio. Westerlund was upset that the council went against his choice, retired Frsno City College instructor Don Larson. This is an unusual situation, and voters will have a chance to have their say in the June 3 primary.
Posted by: Jim Boren | May 13, 2008 1:59 PM
I don't want to drag this side topic too long, but although Caprioglio wasn't Westerlund's choice, you are in effect voting for him to continue in office until Westerlund returns if you vote for Westerlund. If Good wins, Caprioglio will be out of office at the end of Westerlund's current term. If Westerlund wins, Caprioglio gets to stay on until Bush decides to let Westerlund return home.
Posted by: Mike D. | May 13, 2008 2:12 PM