Where are the visionaries?

I have lived in Shafter for 30 years and have seen many positive changes for the city. Let me say that I usually don’t get involved in local politics because we elect people whom we feel will get the job done for the people who elect them.

The last few years we have seen a turn of events to suggest that some of our elected City Council members have not served this community well. The division of Council Members has been very apparent to the citizens who voted to put them in office and attend council meetings. We have seen them pursue their own interests rather than the will of the people.

First Point, if there had been a Hispanic or a person of color as City Manager and the Council replaced him/her with a Caucasian man or woman do you not think we would be called racist? When will the real truth come out about the dismissal of Hurlbert and his replacement?

Second Point, The backlash was overwhelming when the City Council voted for themselves to be recognized on the Veterans Memorial Plaque. I don’t think this was unanimous in voting. This was to honor Veterans not the City Council. This was a self-serving decision and you heard loud and clear how this community felt about your decision.

Third Point, the rumors were flying about several Council Members who were not opposed to making Shafter a sanctuary city. Sanctuary cities do receive funding for allowing this but the flip side is that property values will decrease, people will relocate, crime will increase just to name a few.

Safety, well maintained roads, infrastructure, good schools and some good restaurants are all important to a community. There needs to be a strong vision for Shafter. When John Guinn was City Manager he accomplished great things for this city and we need to hear from the people running for City Council to lay out some of the visions for the next three to ten years. One of the new candidates running for council doesn’t see that vision for Shafter, he wants to keep a lid on growth. Bringing in new businesses, large and small means jobs and with that combination of growth and jobs it means revenue.

Where are the visionaries for Shafter?

Bunny Allen