I was appalled at the personal attacks on the people running for City Council. Do we really want our city to have that type of reputation?

We all have our tales of woe regarding battling the city for permits, permission, growth, etc. Our city is presently distressed and we need someone who has the background to turn it around. I am not saying those in office contributed to the situation because I don’t have enough information. Just like you don’t have enough information to vote based on some of the sniping in our local paper.

Darrel Dickson ran a very informational, full-page ad giving his background and resumé and many reasons why we, as a city, are struggling financially. I was nosy enough to e-mail Darrel about the small paragraph that stated he’d violated eight city municipal codes. He replied with a personal phone call. When he purchased a surplus item from the city and moved it (the red trailer parked on his property at the comer of 410 and 384th) he, in fact, violated six codes. He was not aware that he needed a permit to move it nor did the city inform him of that when he parted with his money to finalize the deal. Those other two violations may be somewhere in his background on a past development. I think if one knew where to find the information on where the city obtained the trailer, what they used it for, etc., that permits might have been required and not obtained. It happens.

Nobody violates city codes intentionally. (Not in my world.) It’s a matter of communication and information. It was very readily taken care of once he was aware. In my eyes, it really doesn’t matter whether he is qualified to run for city council. I would rather his opponent use his time putting together an ad that explains what he does and why the figures are coming out the way they are on the city finances.

I am impressed that both are running very visible campaigns, an indication that both feel they have something to contribute. Our city isn’t as small as it was 50 or 60 years ago when the city fathers could use the Old Boys Network to do what they wanted. Our city requires educated, high-energy people whose backgrounds and education fit to make financial and growth decisions.

Our overall economy has contributed to some of Enumclaw’s problems, but definitely not all.

We’ve seen what our current council has done.

I’m willing to give my vote to Darrel to see what he can do.

Juanita Carstens

Enumclaw