NANCY LIVINGSTON, San Clemente
I understand that national political parties are now endorsing our local San Clemente City Council candidates. I do not care if it is either Republicans or Democrats, but I want City Council to be independent from either political party, as this is a non-partisan local election.
For example, Democrats want homeless shelters, of which the majority of San Clemente voters are totally against. The Orange County GOP and Lincoln Club are comprised of developers and financial lobbyists who support the toll road and large developments, which are not our values in our Spanish Village by the Sea.
Currently, on campaign literature/websites, Aaron Washington, Victor Cabral and Steven Knoblock are endorsed by the Orange County GOP. Do they have the same San Clemente values which have made our San Clemente so special?
Knoblock, for example, is adamant that women have no right to control their own reproductive rights, and was for flashy Los Angeles signs on the Outlets center. Both Washington and Cabral have not lived in San Clemente long-term to have an appreciation for our small-town values.
So, when you receive campaign literature or mailers from the candidates or political parties, pay attention to the endorsements and who paid for these mailers. We need to get rid of out-of-town PACs and developers who want to change our very beautiful character that has made San Clemente so special.