Caldwell the clear choice in District 5

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Monday, November 03, 2008

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By Matt Pope

This is an open letter to my fellow District 5 voters asking them not to be fooled by the disingenuous attempts of a handful of ambitious politicians and their supporters to manufacture a pseudo-scandal and whose motives have little to do with the best interests of our communities. In regards to the supervisor race between Gary Simpson and Keith Caldwell, there are only a few relevant questions that District 5 voters need to consider:

Do you want four more years of being unjustifiably blamed for all of Napa County’s problems, such as traffic, without a supervisor who will stand up for District 5? If yes, vote Gary Simpson, the handpicked choice of the Old Guard establishment. If no, vote Keith Caldwell, the choice for change whose grassroots campaign overwhelmingly won the popular vote in the June primary and who has demonstrated the courage, energy and smarts to fight for District 5.

Do you want a supervisor who apparently hasn’t stood up to, or controlled, his own campaign supporters, and so can’t be relied on to stand up to the big interests who want to shape Napa County’s future? If yes, vote Gary Simpson, who has lost control of his own campaign and let it degenerate into character attacks on public servants. If no, vote for Keith Caldwell, the popular choice for change who has been endorsed by the Napa County Farm Bureau for being “absolutely committed to preserving our agricultural legacy and sustaining our family farms and ranches” and for bringing “significant experience and knowledge to the job, particularly in the areas of fire safety, public finance and land use.”

Do you want four more years of a place-holder supervisor who doesn’t know District Five’s issues? If yes, vote Gary Simpson who has spent big money on campaign literature that attacks people’s character, but doesn’t offer any policy solutions. If no, vote for Keith Caldwell, a candidate who has walked every precinct in District 5 to talk to the voters about their concerns and whom the American Canyon Eagle described as having “articulated positions on water and traffic that emphasize a studied, sensible approach, has done his homework on the issues and has demonstrated a willingness to listen.”

Do you want four more years of a passive supervisor who lacks the energy to take on big development interests? If yes, vote Gary Simpson, who has already committed to giving away your taxpayer-funded supervisor’s salary to a charity of his choosing because “he doesn’t need it” and who refused to take a stand on an issue as important as the Napa Pipe project until Keith Caldwell led the way by publicly opposing it. If no, vote for Keith Caldwell who will put in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, who was the first supervisorial candidate to take a firm position opposing the controversial Napa Pipe project, and has a proven track record of fighting for his home in District 5.

The choice is clear. If you want four more years of a do-nothing supervisor for District 5 who was hand-picked by the Old Guard establishment to mind their interests and who won’t be in charge of his seat or his choices, vote Gary Simpson.

But, if you desire a new voice of courage and change, a candidate who has proven his ability to take the mudslinging attacks of the Old Guard establishment and keep on fighting for District 5 and our important issues, then vote for Keith Caldwell this Nov. 4.

(Pope lives in American Canyon.)

8 comment(s)

informed wrote on Nov 3, 2008 5:17 AM:

" Matt,
You hit the nail on the head. Caldwell is the candidate for change. "

Delphi wrote on Nov 3, 2008 5:56 AM:

" Pope ii a candidate for AmCan City councli. Now you can add corrupyion in the fire Dept and city council cover up to the things AmCan gets blamed for. The Ag Community overwhelmingly supports Simpson not Caldwell. Look at the donations.Simpson knows more about traffic and water than Caldwell. Just ask the people in Coombsville where Caldwell put out his impractical ideas. Caldwell put out a mailer in the Napa area of the District which was a "Dirty Trick" to fool voters into thinking Jager supported him. He supports Simpson. Jager recieved 1400 votes in the primary election.Caldwell is the one with ties to Napa Pipe. His supporter Laurie Puzo works for Noreen Evans who opposed Measure N which wold have allowed us to vote against Napa Pipe. Simpson has no ties to Napa Pipe. Simpson has 20 years as a County official working with the Board and Dept. Heads. The Budget will be the most important issue and we need Simpson who has the experience. AmCan does not need a resident supervisor. When The city of Napa has a problen with the county is it residents Wagonknect and Moskowite speaking up? No, it is the city council of Napa. That is where the power is and that is where AmCans power is also; not with one supervisor out of 5. Simpson has the experience, honesty and integrity to be the BEST supervisor for all of District 5. Please Vote For Simpson "

MarkJoseph wrote on Nov 3, 2008 7:59 AM:

" Delphi: You have an interesting approach to things. Caldwell has Puzo's support, who works for Evans, who opposed Measure N, which would have pre-empted Napa Pipe. Thus, Caldwell secretly supports Napa Pipe.

Despite the fact that he was the first to publicly oppose it.

So, if we knew who you really are, instead of hiding behind your "handle", maybe we could connect the dots back to Simpson?

And then you want to talk about integrity!

As for issues, Caldwell is the only candidate who has spent the time and energy to understand them and develop new ideas. Half the time, Simpson just agrees with Keith--what does that tell you? "

amcancando wrote on Nov 3, 2008 8:41 AM:

" Hey Delphi...when you learn how to spell maybe people will listen to you, maybe! The only corruption going on would be the Simpson, West and Coffey team! It has been stated that Coffey has received an $8000.00 personal loan for her campaign. Where has this money gone? Certainly not for signage, driving around American Canyon you see "Elect Cindy Coffey and "Re-elect Cindy Coffey, which is it? And if your supporters try to say that you are going green, that is a bunch of hogwash! So what has happened to this donated money? "

vocal-de-local wrote on Nov 3, 2008 9:52 AM:

" Vote Caldwell. "

jtfs wrote on Nov 3, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Mr. Pope,

So who is controlling you?

I did get all of the literature sent by Gary Simpson. Unlike your letter it was all based on facts taken from record or the newspaper Your letter is one of the most negative, mudslinging pieces I have seen so far. No facts , just negative comments based on your need to get your candidate elected.

Simpson is proven in the areas you give Caldwell credit for. Caldwell has flunked the honesty test and also his ability to manage a contract or budget effectively.

Simpson has a proven track record in the areas that are most important to the citizens of Napa. That is why he has so much support all across the board. Check out his endorsements. They are from every area of our community. "

doscentavos wrote on Nov 3, 2008 3:18 PM:

" Great Job, Matt.
Simpson's campaign began with "get me elected. if you want me to be supervisor" Followed by "I'll only serve one term" then "I'll do it for free". I'd rather vote for someone who WANTS to do the JOB!
Vote Caldwell. "

Thom Witters wrote on Nov 3, 2008 10:39 PM:

" Delphi,
Mark made some great points but I want to ask you a question about what you consider "dirty tricks."
Wasn't the basic platform of the Jager campaign "end good old boy politics"?
And wasn't that platform aimed primarily at Gary Simpson? So after Rich lost and turned around and endorsed Simpson in return for Gary re-appointing Rich to the planning commission, ( and yes Rich has already admitted as much to me) that didn't smack of good old boy politics!
Therefore, Rich's hypocrisy made you think there was some sort of "dirty trick" being played by the mailer I wrote simply pointing out Rich's platform?
I think Simpson's campaign talking about dirty tricks is the ultimate "pot calling the kettle black!" "

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