Election 2010: City Council Candidate Lawson Calling on Other Candidates, Community to Play Nice in Campaign

Kristina Lawson, Walnut Creek planning commissioner and candidate for Walnut Creek City Council, today issued an "Open Letter to the Community," saying she is concerned about "the rhetoric permeating this election."

I called Ms. Lawson to clarify some points. One question I had is over her statement about "not bickering over past decisions and tearing each other down." This statement made me wonder, among other things, if she is saying we shouldn't question past City Council decisions, including those that have an impact on our lives today.  

Haven't we all heard that saying, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Lawson said she agreed that it can be useful to look at how the city and community handled recent decisions, especially controversial ones, and learn from mistakes that were made.  At the same time, she said, it is important to move forward and look at what is problematic now and work to resolve it. 

Here is the letter, or e-mail, that Lawson sent to residents throughout Walnut Creek. 

I am writing you today, as both a candidate and a resident, out of concern for the direction and tone of this current City Council election.

If you only listened to the campaign rhetoric permeating this election, you would get the impression that our city is broken, and in need of dramatic repair. In reality, Walnut Creek is a wonderful, world class place to live, work, and play.

We are so fortunate to live in Walnut Creek. Our city, nestled just beneath gorgeous Mt. Diablo and in the heart of Contra Costa County, provides a unique level of high-quality services, recreational opportunities, and education for its citizens. Our leaders are capable, accessible, and forward thinking; and, as a member of the City's Planning Commission, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to help shape the future for Walnut Creek.

As a candidate for City Council, I am honored to have earned the support of many of our city's leaders and a broadbased segment of the Walnut Creek community. It is my opinion that this City Council election would be better spent discussing ways to solve the important challenges facing Walnut Creek and planning for a vibrant future for our residents – not bickering over past decisions and tearing each other down. Particularly in these financially challenging times, it is my belief that we must pull together as a community and work with each other and for each other, rather than against each other.

So, it is with this letter, that I ask my fellow City Council candidates and residents of our great community to put aside the posturing and the bickering, and join me in making a positive commitment to our future. That we all remember the glass is half full, not running on empty as some would infer. That we stay positive and work together to solve our problems and plan methodically, as a team of citizens who love Walnut Creek, toward a prosperous and bright future.

I make a commitment to the entire Walnut Creek community to maintain a positive focus on solving problems during the remainder of this campaign and on the City Council should you decide to entrust me with your support. I reach out to my fellow candidates, and all of Walnut Creek's community leaders and active organizations, to ask you to stay positive and find ways we can work together for the betterment of all of Walnut Creek.

Walnut Creek is recognized as a world class city because of the positive actions and motivation of its citizens and its employees. We must not forget why it is we chose to call this city home, and we must strive to ensure that Walnut Creek remains a wonderful, safe, and exciting place to live.

As you vote over the next month and on November 2nd, I ask you to please remain committed to the future. I am committed to this city, its residents, and its employees, and look forward to providing responsible, positive leadership while working hard to preserve all that we love about Walnut Creek. I am excited about the responsibilities of the office and would be honored to earn your vote.

Please feel free to contact me anytime at 925-323-1395 or Kristina@kristinalawson.org, and please visit my website at www.kristinalawson.org for more information and a complete list of my supporters.