Lynn Morgan established herself in the community as chair of the Upcountry Council and her leadership role in defeating the takeover of the Buckhorn Market for a dollar store. While the controversy rages over Dollar General in Pine Grove, she has not taken a clear public stand on this issue while her opponent Ted Novelli’s support of Dollar General’s right to open in Pine Grove is well known and well articulated.
Her website states: “Work with local businesses to support their long-term viability ...Actively recruit new local businesses...” Obviously, these statements do not support Dollar General’s presence in Pine Grove, yet she has not taken a definitive public position. My suspicion is that her political base knows she opposes Dollar Genera, but that if too many of the former Mike Spence voters were aware, she wouldn’t have enough votes to win. So she maintains a public ambiguity. Does this illustrate the statement on her website: “I believe in transparency in government”?
Her website also states: “Work with the county sheriff to re-establish an upcountry substation.” She must be aware that this was ended some time ago because most of what happened were deputies racing down Highway 88 back to the county core cities. This wasted precious time along with fuel and money. What level of priority is this for our cash strapped county? What is her cost/benefit analysis for this possible service?
So Ms. Morgan, I am asking you to publicly and clearly state your position on Dollar General in Pine Grove, and to do the same on why an Upcountry substation is a priority over other needs for our county. What is Lynn Morgan’s position on Dollar General in Pine Grove?
Her website states: “Work with local businesses to support their long-term viability ...Actively recruit new local businesses...” Obviously, these statements do not support Dollar General’s presence in Pine Grove, yet she has not taken a definitive public position. My suspicion is that her political base knows she opposes Dollar Genera, but that if too many of the former Mike Spence voters were aware, she wouldn’t have enough votes to win. So she maintains a public ambiguity. Does this illustrate the statement on her website: “I believe in transparency in government”?
Her website also states: “Work with the county sheriff to re-establish an upcountry substation.” She must be aware that this was ended some time ago because most of what happened were deputies racing down Highway 88 back to the county core cities. This wasted precious time along with fuel and money. What level of priority is this for our cash strapped county? What is her cost/benefit analysis for this possible service?
So Ms. Morgan, I am asking you to publicly and clearly state your position on Dollar General in Pine Grove, and to do the same on why an Upcountry substation is a priority over other needs for our county. What is Lynn Morgan’s position on Dollar General in Pine Grove?
She HAS stated her stance on Dollar General...she plans on fighting for what the people want. Therefore...if the majority of people want it...she will fight for that. If the majority of people don't want it...then she will fight for that. Amazing right? Having an elected official without a prior agenda but instead one that does what her voters want instead. Is that so very hard for you to wrap your Novelli supporter head around?
ReplyDeleteWow, how reassuring is this? Do we really want a candidate who has no strong beliefs on any position? Do we want someone who just puts their finger in the wind and goes with the flow no matter what? Are we really to believe that Morgan's documented statements on corporate businesses, Wild and Scenic, Public Employee Unions, limiting planting of new vineyards, claiming to be neutral on the Gravity Supply Line, etc, etc, could just suddenly change in a heart beat depending on how the wind blows. If this is the case and I was a Morgan backer I'd start worrying about my investment in money and time.
DeleteNo, this isn't the situation. Morgan and her backers, inside and outside the county, know exactly what they are doing and what they want. They just want to make sure the county's voters in District 3 don't catch on before the election. Usually products that claim to be all things for all situations turn out to do none well and end up being duds.
At this point, Morgan will say little about her true beliefs and even less about her backers or groups she is fronting for. She knows, or has been advised, that to state her true left wing, liberal beliefs in a county that traditionally votes conservative is dangerous to her chances.The Dollar General is a perfect example. She is happy to serve on the committee that opposes it, just don't highlight it for the voters.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, have you noticed that in the last few weeks, since Wild and Scenic died in committee, the Conservancy's leadership has said little and Morgan even less. It's my belief that that's the way it will be until after the election is over. Morgan will quietly back off in supporting it openly, because she knows most of District 3 doesn't, and the continued drought won't help her if she tries to convince people how wonderful "Wild and Scenic" and a minimum wage "tourist economy" are.
Her union support is important to her, but don't expect her to embrace the unions openly. Amador's budget is in the black, and the people of the county know public employee union demands are always a threat to government budgets. Public employee unions always like a "bought" board member in their corner when it comes to contract negotiations.
Finally, Morgan, the Foothill Conservancy's leadership, other environmentalists inside and outside the county, no growth supporters, etc. can look at what's happened in past elections. The fate of their previous candidates, Condroshoff and Dunn, are examples of what happens when liberal candidates run openly in a conservative county in a one on one election.