Westerlund used smoke and mirrors to get re-elected to the City Council. Were it not for all falling for the "I am off to War" story, he might well not have been able to hold onto his seat on the City Council.

The City of Fresno gets to have another DWARF on council, when they could have had a person truly interested in doing something for a change.

Thomas Jefferson had it right when he stated that we tend to get the government we deserve.

Well, the "I'm off to Germany" story wouldn't have had quite the same tear-tugging potential.

I value the difference of opinion we have. I would like to clarify what has been stated.
One, if you two men know about serving in the US military, you must have forgotten the fact that you do not control your orders from the military. They tell you what to do and you don't get to say, aw, I wanna stay home with my new bride in my new home, serve the district, run for my seat, etc.

Larry's orders were changed several different times before he deployed and of course may change again. You may be happy to know he may still be ordered to Iraq.
Two, without a doubt, Larry did not win his seat because of deployment nor did he need any stories about it. He won it because he connected with his district constituents. He walked nearly everyday during campaign, but more importantly, for over three years he held district four meetings almost monthly, answered calls, fostered relationships and visited those requesting his presence.

He was a good steward with taxpayers money and spent allocated dollars for district repairs very efficiently. He has a long list of accomplishments for the betterment of Fresno.

Larry is dedicated and caring, certainly not perfect by any means, but just a real, decent guy from a nice family.

Lastly, you don't have to like him or support him but I just wanted you to get a glimpse of the other side. Thanks.

I thank the Almighty for a few good men, who volunteer to serve and protect our great country. Something often forgotten is that 'freedom isn't free.

Sadly, there are those who rather than answer the call of duty, sit around and ridicule those who do have the courage and patriotism to put their lives on hold, and on the line to fight for freedom, security, safety, and prosperity.

I think regarding Westerlund in Germany, that the headlines of him going to Iraq was an election ploy. I have had Mr. Westerlund get in my face asking by whose authority was I and my co-worker feed the homeless and told me that I was the problem. His idea of solving the problem is to tell the homeless to go into someone elses area. He was very verbally abusive to me, my co-worker and the homeless that were there. I am just thankful right now that he is gone. I think the right thing to have done would have been to hold off running until he was back from active duty. Why put someone in who can't even do the job.

"Explaining his military status?" Mr. Boren had to heat the words up to make them bend for this little outing.

I'm sure that Mr. Wusterlund would appreciate an emphasis on service to country, wherever he is ordered to be stationed. That would be the American way.

I've often wondered why The Bee has resurrected the signals of a Roman Ceasar in its editorial layout as shorthand for judgement. I see the usefulness now, but I think it is a bad practice. Mr. Boren has replaced its original misguided intent with his own version of probable cause. It is a tree which bears poisonous fruit.

I stayed out of this particular blog because I do agree that Council member Larry Westerlund is a decent man. What is bringing me into it is Rosalyn Belluomini's ardent letter. It is overkill. And another post that is pure nonsense
about Westerlund having the courage to protect American lives, freedom and
prosperity from Stuttgart Germany.

A short while ago, we became the victim of the City of Fresno department that takes care of parking violations. We forgot to display my disabled parking placard at the grocery store. The next day we send the $275.00 fine for illegal parking
and a copy of the disabled placard. After a couple of weeks the $275.00 check
was returned to us. We were asked to send a check for $15.00 instead. We
promptly did by certified (surface) mail like all the other correspondence pertainingto the parking ticket.

And then started the harassment to send the delinquent $250.00 and the notice that we would be reported to the DMV. It was frustrating, time consuming and painful to my limbs.

After contacting Council member Westerlund, his office took care of it promptly. I even had the opportunity to tell him personally thatI thought elected officials should not govern from foreign countries.

But in spite of having been out of the loop around here, I knew prior to the election that Westerlund was rumored to go to Germany and not to Iraq. How come the
Fresno Bee did not know? Or was it that the Bee helped to make sure that the other Candidate for District 5 did not have a chance to win. We all noticed one thing. The
Bee supported only Republican candidates.

Yes...Mr. Westerlund deserves to have his name spelled correctly. Please forgive me.

This is the second time that to my outmost chagrin, I must confess that at times I must be dense.

What's this all about Mr. Boren's practice in misguided intent, and about that tree which bears poisonous fruit? I haven't a clue. I am sorry!

Isabell,

Perhaps you should read posts before you make negative posts against them.

Rosalyn Belluomini's post explained that when you enlist in the military, the serviceman does not choose his/her assignment, which can change on a dime. When you enlist, you are subjecting yourself to the will of the U.S. Military, which obviously can include being in a combat zone.

How is supporting a candidate being over the top? Sounds like a case of sour grapes.

Isabell,

Those who serve in the military, wherever that may be, are for one, protecting your freedom of speech, which you seem to enjoy immensely. It would be favorable to show some gratitude.

Gobsmacked. Let us get the record straight about 'military service'. Mr. Westerlund is in the 'reserve', he is building rank and time in service to be able to earn a brilliant retirement, along with doing some service on 'active duty'. Were he 'active duty' he would not have been able to continue to run for public office.

Mr. Westerlund had his election brochure picture him in the uniform of an officer in the Navy. MOI must be thick as a brick not to know that this image, along with the 'hint' that he might be called to serve in Iraq, was a brilliant move on his part to gain support and sympathy for his re-election.

What ever Mr. Westerlund is, he is not the brightest lamp in the chandilier that is Fresno City Council. MOI calls him a dwarf and actions on his part bear that out. Right thick to let placards remain after the election. Mind, he can claim no knowledge as he is a world away.

The District he got re-elected to, needs someone here NOW, which he is not. When he return from whereever, he will slide back into his seat and resume his duties.

He will earn a brilliant pay packet while serving 'whereever' and come back to get a brilliant pay packet here.

MOI holds most politicians in low regard, and Mr. Westerlund's re-election to office by playing on folks desire to honour military service and possible 'in harm's way' just shows the tricks used to manipulate the voter.

Oh, how odd that 'freedom of speech' is called out when one does not like different views and one tries to shame one for it.

Maybe then the headlines should not state that someone is being deployed to a particular place since that can change at any time and it should just say that they are being sent back into active duty, whereabouts unknown.

"We forgot to display my" is an example of how one can share responsibility at the others outmost chagrin. Apply this thought process to local politics and, as far as I should be concerned, the density statement is confirmed.

Grandfather was a career military; Father was an Air Force officer; Uncle Roman an Army officer; my husband a noncommissioned officer in the Military Police. More resume needed?

My brother and I were only 14 months apart in age. We stuck the tongue out
at each other when we thought that Mother was not looking. In retrospect;
Mother was looking, but it was not worth the trouble to react.

Fresno Bee only supports Republicans running for office?

MOI must be thick as a brick, Jim Boren is a rabid Democrat and never misses a chance to remind one and all of.

MOI adores Jim, and has got right fond of the Bee , regardless of their views politically.

RobdeFrees, your shots at Larry are pretty pathetic. Can't you think of something better to do at 4:56 in the morning? Let us see you get elected to City Council. But with your twisted attitude towards an honorable man serving his country, you couldn't get elected to dog catcher in this town. Maybe in San Fransicko where you belong!

The Bee does tend to support Democrats in statewide and national races (though not always), but it does seem that in the local races they supported Republicans over Democrats (e.g. Westerlund over Good, Swearingen over Perea). Maybe there were some local endorsements that went the other way, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

For the record, I'm registered as a "decline to state," which in California means you're an independent. My columns have taken on Democrats and Republicans and I have praised Democrats and Republicans. One day, you may read me and think I'm a liberal and one day you may read me and think I'm a Republican.

I take issues as they come and have no allegiance to either major party. That way I don't have to defend either when they do dumbs things. Those of you who see politics as a team game must defend all Democrats if you're a Democrat and must defend all Republicans if you're a Republican. That gives your logic a floating quality. It may be convenient, but it isn't consistent.

How very kind of Cs2 to remind that blinkered folks are everywhere.

MOI starts the day quite early, make no apology for that, as to the remark about San Francisco, one has learned to accept the fact that all are not going to be 'open minded' and have to soil the good name of a city to make an unkind remark.

Have a brilliant day Cs2, MOI knows that he shall.

There are thousands of good people who reside in San Francisco, I wish we could hear of them and how they have been adapting to the cultural entropy which they endure daily.

"Cultural entropy"?? Whether you like S.F. or not, I can think of fewer descriptions that are less applicable than that.

Entropy -- a doctrine of inevitable social decline and degeneration........for the non-elitist ere in Fresbno, assume that is the point being made.

No one is every going to make MOI believe that Fresno is as crude as some would like to make it out to be.

Must be right clever to feel full of oneself enough to bang about such words to describe conditions in another city.

Fresno, the land of mild and honey. Where education is lacking, understanding of folks different from self is lacking, and yet home to such an erudite writer.

Bloody brilliant.

MOI has live in San Francisco, London, Paris, New York, Honolulu and other places before picking Fresno as home. The same level of pride shown in other cities lived is shown here in Fresno. MOI was never one to let a few to destroy the belief that any place settled into can be as brilliant as others.

MOI must not be 'one of the good people' Bart Turnipseed(really believe that that is a real name?) would like to hear from. Perhaps he would like to tell what make 'good' or 'bad'.

Mike D.

I was once deployed on a temporary duty assignment to PAF Masroor. I billeted at the Metropol Hotel, Karachi. My treatment on the streets there have no comparison to my last pedestrian experience on Market Street.

I appreciate your concern about the proportionality of my personal opinion. Because it is my own opinion I am not compelled to cut the pie with you. I hope you can agree with me sometime in the future.

I don't know what happened to you on your walk, but I've walked up and down Market Street numerous times without one bad experience. Sure, there are more homeless and panhandlers than you see around here. But also a lot more shoppers, tourists, business people, street musicians and other people of every category than you'll ever see out walking in Fresno.

I don't question that you had a bad experience there, but perhaps you're thinking of something other than what I would think is the definition of "cultural entropy."

Alas! This blog is not the most focused ever collection of posts. How did it digress from Fresno City Council member Larry Westerlund to "cultural
entropy" in San Francisco via the military service of my family.

We succumbed to the ranting and raving of posts that contributed zero comma zero to the blog topic. To me personally, the sub-topic is that an elected official should be around to serve the people who elected him/her.

It is irrelevant if the elected official comes from a "good family" or is a child of the devil. That official should be available to serve...and
so say I!

OI!!!! Guess one can not digress on this blog, the lady gets right mad.

So the blog took several turns, but it has turned out to be most interesting.

My dear, the folks who vote have spoken, and whether Mr. Westerlund is here or not, they who re-elected him, seem to be quite happy with the situation. Nothing said on this blog is going to change that fact.

Perhaps you should get into the spirit of the blog and roll with it, mind, if you really are in a right evil mood about Mr. Westerlund not being here to serve the District, you can always start a recall movement.

Ms. Lawson, that's just the nature of these blog discussions. Like any conversation, they often tend to wander off topic.

Incidentally (hang on to your hat), I agree with your conclusion.

I would not be interested in Council member Westerlund's recall. And
throughout the blog I have not written a single word that could be misconstrued to having impeached Mr. Westerlund's honor and integrity.

Mr. Westerlund has done nothing illegal. And he has served this family
exemplary. And I have stated it in no uncertain terms.

But I still like to see it being made illegal, that an elected official can serve the constituency in absentia. As I have pointed out in a different publication;

Fresno is not a sovereign duchy or fiefdom whose elite rides into battle to
fight dragons abroad. Fresno is part of these United States, a democratic
Republic whose government has the sole function to serve We the People.

Mr.Mike D
Thank you for addressing me with decorum And to Mr.RobDeFrees, no!I have not found it interesting that grown men, presumed to be intelligent people go at at one another in this predatory manner.

The lady is not mad. But she will be if certain men won't refrain from putting
words in her mouth, and accredit her with motives that don't exist.

Thank you
Ms Isabell Lawson

My dear, it is always risky to 'assume' anything.

Hardly think MOI is able to put words in anyone's mouth, as to motives, one can always read between the lines.

For the record, that Mr. Westerlund has been able to get to keep him place on council while he is away will always rank as right daft.

And now to another uncalledfor attack. I do
believe that Bart Turnipseed is the real name. And I do believe his linguistic mindset is of
British background.

MOI will eat his hat if 'Turnipseed' is a real name.

Isabell makes another pointless, off-subject post, which she earlier complained that others are doing.
She comments...His lingistic mindset is of British backgroud?

Why post such an absurd comment on any blog?

This blog has ridiculed Mr. Turnipseed's name and his English diction. And therein is the relevancy; Mr. or is it Ms? redpeach.

I took the pain of checking out the hour of the day the posts were made. I found that some of them must have been made by people who have lots of time on hand to be mean and obnoxious. I, being disabled use the blog time for rest.

Allow MOI to enlighten Ms. Lawson.

MOI gets up at half 2 in the morning, firstly to chat with mates in London as they are 8 hours ahead.

Then am off to do a walkabout in the neighborhood, am block captain for Neighborhood Watch, and in the wee hours of the morning spot graffiti on building in alley, run off clever clogs trying to hide in the dark to smoke 'poison'. MOI has also found cast off wallets and purses that were left on the road, trying to return to owners that might need to identify self.

MOI also does a proper wash and sweep of the area around home, and also replaces rubbish thrown out of bins by folks looking for cans and bottles.

MOI writes a daily post on website that is devoted to improving the road and neighborhood lived on and in.

MOI receives many letters, and the post has to be seen to and also have to send off emails to different government agencies about problems in the neighborhood.

MOI reads three daily newspapers, with special attention paid to Fresno Bee, as it is important to know what is going on in our community.

During the day, there are many visits to neighbors and also activities that help foster Civic Pride.

To assume that folks have nothing better to do is 'elitist' and to drag out the 'disabled' card is self serving. MOI has severe bone problems, and has asthma, so life is not without trial.

Mates in UK have confirmed what MOI thought, the name 'Turnipseed' can not be found in any telephone books they have and looking over list of names in UK, it is not found. Making MOI believe that it is not real.

MOI is right cheeky in his use of language and even without Brit speak, know of no one who would use that sort of delivery, surely none of mates do, and they find it odd as well.

MOI is not quite clear what Ms. Lawson means by 'mean and obnoxious', but if it implies that one can not be harsh to an elected official or take offense to comment that disparage a fine American City, she must mean MOI and others who do not reflect her point of view.

What ever the reason for Ms. Lawson being out of sorts, do hope that she has a small pet or telly to help her find some comfort, as the blog seems to cause her unrest.

MOI is right tired when bed time comes, and can assure you that MOI sleeps right comfy.

P.S.
Wow! That guy (Council member Larry Westerlund) is a veritable blog star. 33 to "The air...it's toxic" puny one (1). Are we poisoned brain-dead?

Oi!!!!! Right daft to chat about the weather when there is noting to be done about it.

Mind, MOI is daft and even with asthma finds the need to have a gasp, them fags will be the death of me yet.

Perhaps some kind soul will send the blog to Mr. Westerlund and let him see that even though he is a world away, folks are chatting about him and not kindly.

Upon his return DWARF Sterling should hold a placard; 'And what did you do in the war?' That would be a giggle.

Wow, I am new at this blogging and I find this particular string of blogs quite interesting. One man's trash is another man's treasure.
1. My listing some of Larry's facts are not over top, but that's how you view it, ok, Ms. Lawson.
2. Again, Marsha, the Bee's headline was not an election ploy---he just didn't need it! Obviously you didn't vote for him (if you live in district four & are a voter) but he still won fair and square, by the good voting constituents of this district.
By the way,it is district four and not five as stated earlier.
3. Just so you all know, Larry didn't just decide that he would be the absent elected official if he won.
He followed the strict guidelines of Fresno City. This information was in the newspapers and TV news, on the internet and is city public record.
In March, the City Attorney/Administration presented a fair and unprecedented process to choose a 6 month temporary replacement in case Larry was re-elected by district four voters in June.
On May 16th Larry was deployed and no longer an elected city official. The replacement was sworn in as a full city council member until December 31. In January the Council (with some new members) will vote whether to keep D4's current council member until Larry returns in May.
Basically, Larry misses 6 mos. of his first term and 6 mos. of his second. Is 6 mos. out of his last four years (with his office continuing to serve) really that invasive?? Daft? Please tell me what will not be done for his district from January to mid May.
4. Rob, I know two Turnipseed folks and both were razzed due to their name. So the name is real. One was a deputy sheriff who had to have that name on his badge.
Sooo, Rob, here's your hat! Bon Appetit.
5. In reading and listening to folks over the years, I think if you're a Democrat, then the Bee is conservative, if you're Republican then it's liberal, if you like what they just said, they're great and if you hate it, they're stupid---pretty basic, eh.
6. What is MOI?

It is disrict 5, Westerlund took over Duncan's. And again, I did not say one disrespectful word about Council member
Westerlund. I did not like your post because it's gooshiness was irrelevant to the issue involved as far as I was concerned. If you can discerne it, I deal in issues and concepts, not in personalities.
I am rather new to this blog business myself.
Well! Happy blogging to you!

I find Fresno City Coucilman Larry Westerlund's military reserve duty during and after his campaign for the Fresno City Council "a mirage", "a perception", or "an illusion" when compared to the extreme sacrifice by our active duty military men and women "actually serving in Iraq or Afghanistan in a combat capacity" who are exposed multiple times per day for weeks, months and years to IEDs exploding, gun shot, other explosives and attacks from enemy combat forces. Since when does "characterizing his military service as extreme sacrifice" during his re-election campaign serve our country or honor those men and women who serve the U.S. military that are actually in immediate physical danger? How dare Councilman Westerlund exploit the suffering and sacrifice of our combat troops by begging on the sympathies of voters during his re-election campaign.
Councilman Westerlund owes the men and women currently serving, those who already served this country in uniform and the families of those who served and lost their lives during military service an apology.

Renee Westa-Lusk

Right, so there are folks who might have the name....still believe this chap is not one of......but a deal is a deal is a deal......have a left over silly paper hat from Boxing Day and will munch on that.

Renee Westa-Lusk, you are spot on in comments. Mr. Westerlund should be ashamed of the tricks used to play the hearts of voters in getting re-elected. Perhaps he should not accept a pay packet to show his sorrow.

Rosalyn, I have to commend you on your loyalty to your boss, but how can you say that he would have won without exploiting his military deployment during the campaign (and it was exploited - we received several flyers in the closing weeks that were blatant emotional appeals of the "please pray for Daddy" type). We'll never know how the election would have played out without his deployment overshadowing all other issues.

You minimize the impact of his absence, but how can we know it won't be extended to 18 months? That would mean he would miss a whole year of his second term. Much has been made of the fact that you can't know for sure where or when you will be sent, although I suspect it was known well before the election that he probably wouldn't be going to Iraq.

Mike D, how right you are. MOI was in the Army during the Vietnam War, and know for a fact that military places tags on file to alert of 'juice' the member of service might have. It was that 'juice' that got MOI stationed in ITALY for entire time. If you can believe MOI was a SGT! Talk about 'don't ask, don't tell' back then. Mr. Westerlund has 'juice' and do not doubt for a minute he used it.

Am I to understand that Ms Rosalyn Belluomini works for Fresno City Councilman Larry Westerlund? If she works for him...that lady has some chutzpa to assail me for not being fair to the Councilman.

And furthermore, she corrected me by asserting that Westerlund does not represent District 5, formerly represented by Councilman Duncan.

If the lady works for Councilman Westerlund she would have to know that I never attacked him.

And during a very cordial conversation about our families, I had the opportunity to tell the Councilman that I believed that elected officials should not be able to hold their elected office while living in a foreign country, for that is carrying the nantra of '"Zone of Interior" to an extreme.

Judging by the tenor of her comments to the blog, I thought that she was a doting relative. Her post conveyed to us that she was new to being in a blog. I THINK THAT SHE'LL FIT IN PERFECTLY. I am laughing out loud!

She's listed as Westerlund's Chief of Staff on the District 4 website. Incidentally, there's no mention at all that I could find of the fill-in guy, Caprioglio. I had to pull up the minutes of a recent Council meeting to remember what his name was. I guess he's going to be our invisible Council member for the next year or so.

How funny, Mr. Westerlund is a world away and his fill-in is a ghost.

Oi!! Mike D. do love your style, you have panache! Before you think MOI has gone all gooey, that was just a slight tip of the hat to your good post.

Having read these posts I want to offer some clarifying information about my friend Larry’s deployment. Frankly I can’t believe some of what I am reading.
First, his initial orders were for deployment in Iraq. I saw them. It was not fun looking into Larry’s eyes as he described to me receiving his orders and the impact it had on his new bride (who is expecting their first child). But I am not kidding when he immediately said that he was not special because families all over our country were feeling the exact same thing. He knew that by being in the reserves the reality of being called to active duty was always there and he accepted it like the true patriot that he is.
Some of the utter nonsense that I am reading implying that this is all a political stunt is sad at the least.
Larry is a man compelled to serve his community and his nation. His service to our country should NEVER be questioned. He is a member of the military and has committed to the call to duty. His service to our community is also something we should be all very proud of. The personal and economic sacrifice he has made trying his hardest to make our city better is very noble indeed and is a calling few are willing to accept. And unlike the person who held the office before him, Larry really is trying to improve the lives of the people he represents. District 4 has never been so lucky to have him as their Councilmember.
Of course, Larry has no control whatsoever about where he is going to be stationed. Anyone with even a basic understanding of the military knows this and knows things can change rather quickly. To somehow imply he could do anything about it is absurd.
God bless Larry Westerlund for his willingness to serve his country and frankly it matter not where he may be stationed. He is defending our country during a time of war, and like many thousands of other Americans he has answered the call of duty and should only be praised for his service, both to his Country and his City.
Also, I represent District 6, not District 5.

Nobody has questioned his performance of his military duties, Mr. Duncan. But your post demonstrates quite well the impossible task his opponent had in the last election. You conflate any criticism of how he campaigned, or his decision to retain his office as an attack on his military service.

(And btw, it is poor form for a city councilmember to be telling the residents of a city how lucky we are to have people like you governing us.)

Nobody has suggested that his deployment was a political stunt. But it is a legitimate issue to question how it was exploited during the campaign (and please don't patronize me here - I saw the flyers myself).

When a politician's military duty makes him immune from legitimate criticism, democracy suffers. And if he's not in the military to defend democracy, what is he there for?

I believe that Councilman Duncan was referring to his collegue representing District 4, not himself. Wouldn't that be Councilman Westerlund?

If one reads text out loud sometimes it helps over-ride the organic wiring that clouds reality.

I realized that, Mr. Turnipseed. That's why I wrote "people like you" governing us. It's all very well to come to the defense of a colleague, but for a political ally and fellow council member to tell the colleague's constituents that we're lucky to have them governing us is a bit over the top.

Mr. Dunne

I hope to live long enough that respect for office holders who take the time to visit a public forum and contribute the facts about a issue, from their unique perspective, be received without drama and discontentedness.

I suppose that there is some good will between members of the Fresno City Council as they work on important issues. Comments like yours undermine the results for all of us.

I am optimistic, I hope you can be also.

When a person, man or woman gives his/her life for the country, no greater sacrifice can be made, regardless as to political affilitation, for our freedom. Therefore, we should appreciate the sacrifice and understand that when called they step up to the plate and go where they are sent following their orders.

For those that complain because Westerland stepped up to the plate to serve his country, ask yourself would you be willing to do the same if called upon? If not, you should not complain. Remember freedom is not free unless there are those that are willing to sacrifice for it. Let the man and his family be in peace.

I am stunned by the posts on this thread suggesting that Councilmember Westerlund's deployment was in any way a political stunt. He did not ask for deployment. When he received his orders, he knew that it meant he would be away from his new wife only weeks after getting married. He knew it would mean being away from serving the district he loves. And he knew it meant that he would have a difficult reelection bid that he would not be able to personally be involved in during the crucial final weeks.

I talked to him just after he announced his orders, and he was truly concerned about all of those things. He expected his deployment would be a political liability (which did not affect his feelings toward his duty to serve one bit). For many other candidates of lesser quality and integrity, it would have been enough to doom his candidacy. But the voters of District 4 made their choice among two high-quality candidates, and he was elected.

I also take particular exception to early posters that referred to Councilmember Westerlund as a "dwarf," presumably in relation to his intellect, since he is probably the tallest person on the Fresno City Council. I have had the privilege to know all of the current councilmembers to one degree or another, along with many former councilmembers, and in my estimation Councilmember Westerlund is among the smartest and most capable of all the councilmembers I have known. As to his general intellectual aptitude, he has passed the California Bar Exam, perhaps the hardest professional examination in the United States. If any of the commenters denigrating his intellectual ability have also done so, they know that such personal insults do not logically support their argument; if they have not, then I humbly suggest the posts above are sufficient evidence to show that they are lacking in similar intellectual acumen.

Who is the person who voted for Larry Westerlund based upon his military service?? Since when did we start voting based on an individual's ability to serve the full term of elected office?? I voted for Larry Westerlund because I believed in his ability to represent me on City Council. I certainly did not have the same level of confidence in Susan Good. If District 4 was concerned about a partial term council member related to military duty, they would have voted for Susan Good or ensured that there was another candidate to choose from.

Though I may not always agree with Larry, I have found him to be a honorable and thoughtful man without any guile. I hope and PRAY that he doesn't change, as do so many politicains.

I hope to vote for him in a state or national election someday.

IF I were the cynical type, I might find it curious that four Westerlund supporters would suddenly show up on a thread that's been buried in the archives for a few days. And a thread where Westerlund's Chief of Staff just happened to be posting without identifying her position. Good thing I'm not a cynical type, eh?

And for the record, I haven't seen anyone complain about Westerlund's military service, per se. It's how he handles his council seat that's the issue. That's a legitimate concern for those who reside in his district. To attempt to shame someone for questioning the actions of his councilman is to be an opponent of democracy.

Poor, poor Jerry Duncan, how he must long for a 'dirty bomb' to hurl at all of us who saw the light and make him see the light that when he is made redundant, there is not brilliant Mayor pay packet to fall into. Perhaps he and Calhoun can have a chat show and they can hiss at one another.

Spot on of 'dirty bomb' Jerry to state quite clearly the advantage Mr. Westerlund had in past election based on use of uniform.

I will keep this brief. I've lived in Fresno only two years but I will say ditto to Mike D.'s comments on 7/15 11:29 a.m. In the short time I've been here, I too have benefitted from his promptness in helping me deal with a problem in my neighborhood. I've attended one of his district meetings which was very informative. I am thankful for his willingness to serve in our military and do whatever they ask him to do. I would dare say that many of those making the derogatory comments would not have the courage to do so. And yes, I believe his Council seat was safe whether here or going to Iraq. He still would have been elected if he had stayed here. His opponent didn't have a chance either way. But still, stop your whining. He has already won his seat due to our wonderful privilege to vote and so what is done is done. We are privileged to have him representing us on our city council. I wish the best to his new wife and a safe return to the councilman.

"While San Francisco's sanctuary city ordinance may have been well-intentioned, it has resulted in an untenable and anarchic situation that is taking its toll on city residents and surrounding counties alike. Providing sanctuary for law-breakers at the expense of law-abiding citizens is neither a compassionate nor a moral approach. The issue is not one of callousness towards illegal immigrants, but rather, the duty owed American citizens by their government. In some respects, every layer of the government has failed this test, but in this case, it's the local government that is absconding on its duties. And all San Francisco officials can seem to offer up is more of the same."
Cinnamon Stillwell
San Francisco Chronicle
15 July 08

Even though the incense smoke is finally thinning out in here, I wish to support an earlier post which received immediate denial. And I may add that the current San Francisco topic (Gail Marshall,) is replete with memories and references what the city once was?

My quotation is the last paragragh of a piece written of San Francisco, by a San Franciscan whom I will assume lives there.
As an obvious lament of the situation on the ground (that would be in reality.) It is an example of what can occur when the left gets unleashed into office.

To Redpeach post 7/17:

May I suggest you use a dictionary when you call someone '"not the brightest bulb in the (your spelling)'chandilier'"...
quite amuisng, tuly:)

Why don't all of the whiners on here, get a life and go and serve your country in some fashion.