Letter to Editor:
Election time is approaching and I as well as everyone else is being inundated with political advertising asking for our support of their candidacy. In the past few weeks I have received at least 8-10 mailings from the campaign of/for Norine Hammond. Two of these ads are informing the voter why not to vote for her opponent, Josh Higgins.
Let me preface my comments and thoughts about these two particular ads. But first let me explain that I do not know, never met, or do not know any of his family or the background of Josh Higgins.
The first ad I am commenting on was an incident that happened to Josh in 2011. The ad pointed out that Josh was arrested and directed the reader to READ THE FULL POLICE REPORT. The ad stops there and does not inform the reader of the outcome of the arrest. My understanding is that an individual is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and it is my understanding that the charges were dropped a few days after the arrest. Norine’s campaign must think that Josh is a viable threat to her candidacy to have to go back 15 years to find something negative to report, possibly hoping the reader of the ad will go no further investigating the charge thereby casting a negative light on his integrity.
The second ad I am referring to TAX HIKER JOSH HIGGINS RAISED PROPERTY TAXES BY 10%. My understanding Josh was a member of the local school board where he resides and his children attend school in that district. A member of any taxing body cannot alone raise or lower taxes by themselves as the ad tries to indicate nor can the entire board of school raise the tax, it is my understanding that an increase of the tax levy cannot exceed 5% without voter approval by a referendum on the election ballot. I may be mistaken but I believe that the school board sends the tax levy to the county treasurer who then puts the levy as a portion of the total county property tax.
As you may now know from reading these comments, I abhor negative advertising especially if the ad only points out part of the facts that the writer thinks will benefit their cause.
As to Norine Hammond, other ads that I have received are quick to point out what she is against but fail to inform the reader if she was successful in stopping any of those items she is against. I also find it interesting that there is no mention in any ad that states what if any bill she authored was passed by the legislature.
I want Norine Hammond to know my vote will be for Josh Higgins not necessarily for what he stands for but it will be a vote AGAINST Norine Hammond and her method of campaigning.
Cecil Cox LaHarpe
