ConstiuWhats?

I would like to address an email received from Terry Seitz regarding a request from Chris Breedlove for the mayoral candidates to publicly stand together in solidarity to express our ‘stated opposition’ to the present power plant proposal.  You will find emails originating from myself, Mr. Seitz, and Chris Breedlove below.

To establish the background for this writing, I publicly stated my opposition in an ad in The Herald which began running on June 25.  Terry Seitz wrote a ‘position paper’ on June 26 and had it posted on his website.  Mr. Seitz also stated his opposition publicly as was reported by the news media on June 28 and again on June 29. 

John Burger appeared to also state his opposition; however, after reading again Mr. Burger’s statements as reported in The Herald on June 29, I have realized Mr. Burger is still trying to please both sides and actually did not make a personal statement of opposition.  I am disappointed in myself for not reading between the lines in my initial read of the article. 

John Burger has deferred the judgment to the people of Jasper, which he should do, given the citizens have their questions answered and are presented all the facts.  Should we not ask Mr. Burger for a simple yes or no answer to the question of whether he is opposed to the current proposed contract?

As you read the email from Terry Seitz below, please ask yourself why he has no interest in participating in any joint public announcement or event on the power plant project?  Seitz writes that he has stated his position and indicates he will only discuss it with ‘leaders’ and constituents individually.  Terry Seitz needs to understand a Republican primary win does not a constituent make.  I believe Mr. Seitz does not realize a constituent is a person who authorizes another to act in his or her behalf, as a voter in a district represented by an elected official would be.

Mr. Seitz is not an elected official and the citizens that did not vote for him in the primary are not his constituents.  Those that did vote for him in the primary are yet to be his constituents.  I would like for Mr. Seitz to let us know who the leaders are that he discusses this matter with.  I speak with leaders daily about the biomass issues, as well as other city issues.  Who are these leaders?  They are ‘We the People’.

Mack Steffen

The emails:

__________________________________________________________________________
From: Mack Steffen [mailto:mackformayor@psci.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 5:36 PM
To: 'chris breedlove'
Cc: 'Rick Stradtner'; 'burgerturkeyfarms@insightbb.com'; 'Terry'
Subject: RE: Jasper IN Biomass

Rick and Chris,

I do believe it is important that we candidates say what we mean and mean what we say.   I would be glad to participate in any public announcement, whether it be John and I, or simply myself stating my position.   I will continue to discuss it with the people and our leaders, publicly or individually.

Respectfully,

Mack Steffen

__________________________________________________________________________

From: Terry [mailto:terry@intercommgroup.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 12:10 AM
To: chris breedlove
Cc: Rick Stradtner; burgerturkeyfarms@insightbb.com; Mack Steffen
Subject: Re: Jasper IN Biomass

Rick and Chris...

I have no interest in participating in any joint public announcement or event on the power plant project. I have stated my position and will continue to discuss it with leaders and constituents individually.

With regards,

Terry

Sent from my iPhone

__________________________________________________________________________
On Jul 12, 2011, at 9:40 PM, chris breedlove <pastorbreedlove@gmail.com> wrote:

Rick,

Is it possible for you to bring the three Jasper mayoral candidates together for a joint press conference stating their common stance against Twisted Oak.  I think that the voting tax paying public would like to know that all three of the mayoral candidates are opposed to Twisted Oak's proposal.  The three mayoral candidates could also simply ask that the current Jasper city leadership give a more reasonable allotment of time so that concerned citizens can look through the pending agreement between Jasper and Twisted Oak once it is released before any public forum.  Citizens are honestly fearful that the Mayor and certain city leadership are going to attempt to rush an agreement through in July or early August leaving little time for citizens to be a part of any discussion or thorough review concerning the agreement.

~Chris