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Mayor Chris Garcia: Why I Support Central Basin Candidate Jason Stinnett
Randy:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your recent article about Central Basin Candidate Jason Stinnett. I did have the opportunity to read your article and did look at the supporting documents you’ve included in there and I must say I felt compelled to respond to you via this open letter primarily because of the message I feel your viewership receives when reading your articles.
My question to you and your viewership is; does some “infidelity” in someone’s private life automatically disqualify them from office? In this case a DUI that happened over a decade ago! (Editors note: Stinnett had a DUI in 2011.) Yes, this is a tragic example of broken trust and worthy of voter scrutiny. But should evidence of past mistakes automatically disqualify a STRONG candidate from elected office? No, I don’t think so. Should it raise significant voter concerns that need to be addressed with candor and humility? Absolutely.
On the contrary, are these so-called “barriers” that tend to get highlighted in your articles doing a disservice to “good/strong” candidates and are they also reducing TRUE political competition? Example, a viewer of yours in the City of Downey who has had a long history as a successful business man is now discouraged from running for city council because of some IRS penalties he received 10 years ago. Or the local teacher who has great ideas to improve her local school system gets discouraged to run for local school board because of the arrest warrant she received 20 years ago for failing to pay an outstanding speeding ticket. There is this long tradition in this country that looks past the misdeeds of leaders who provide good stewardship, from Presidents Ronald Reagan (Iran-contra) and Bill Clinton (impeachment) downward. That’s because it often comes down to the actual substance of the issues. Overall, these people could end up being some of the greatest leaders our communities have seen but fail to take the proper next steps because of the discouraging articles like the one you posted about Jason Stinnett.
My point here is simple; in response to your question, YES, I still support Jason Stinnett as Central Basin’s next board member because he is the strongest candidate I’ve met thus far! Not because we’re friends and not because we’ve had a long history (actually I’ve only known Jason for a few months through professional gatherings) but rather he has been the most intellectually thoughtful candidate I’ve talked to that has provided me with specifics on what he’ll bring if elected. I’ve talked to other good candidates in this race and it’s my understanding that those others are also carrying their own form of “barriers.” But for me:
I support Jason Stinnett and hope you will too! Let’s not get distracted from the real issues facing our communities!
Respectfully,
Chris Garcia
Mayor, City of Cudahy
In all due respect to the Mayor of Cudahy, you really don’t know Jason Stinnett. Those of us who have lived in the community all our lives and have known Stinnett for 25 years or more know who he really is! First of all, I don’t know of anyone I’ve ever met who talks more crap about other people than him. His motto is simple, you’re either on HIS team or you’re dirt. No one falls in between. By the way, Stinnett’s “team” is usually made of those hard core “give me union or give me death” fanatics. I understand… Read more »
I’m confused. Are there any politicians in the South East that anyone can believe anymore? I just read this amazingly convincing and passionate plea by this guy named Chris Garcia who is apparently the Mayor of some putz of a city called Cudahy (who came up with that cruddy name anyways?) who apparently in infatuated with the integrity and character of an even bigger putz named Jason Stinnett who is somehow running for public office while on probation??? WTF!!?? So if that isn’t enough of an oddity, this same big time Mayor Chris Garcia somehow appears on a mailer I… Read more »
Its evident from reading the esteem City of Cudahy Mayor Chris Garcia’s glowing endorsement of Jason “Neidermeyer (think the Animal House Movie character)” Stinnet, that his political vision is suffering from an episode of “character myopia”. Unlike some, I have had the experience of knowing, working and socializing (ie. partying) with Jason Scott Stinnett and survive to tell the truth (with some damage that have heal with time). The same can’t be said about his friend who died at the infamous House Party or the other friend that is paralysis for life after an alleged drunken crash South of the… Read more »
Its evident from reading the esteem City of Cudahy Mayor Chris Garcia’s glowing endorsement of Jason “Neidermeyer (think the Animal House Movie character)” Stinnet, that his political vision is suffering from an episode of “character myopia”. Unlike some, I have had the experience of knowing, working and socializing (ie. partying) with Jason Scott Stinnett and survive to tell the truth (with some damage that has heal with time). The same can’t be said about his friend who died at the infamous House Party or the other friend that is paralysis for life, after an alleged drunken crash South of the… Read more »
I received a political mailer Saturday from the campaign of Jason Stinnett attacking his opponent Art Chacon over his DUI’s as well as other accusations. I find it totally hypocritical that a person currently serving probation with a history himself of DUI’s would have the nerve to attack another. Has that man no shame? I also find it disturbing that State Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia and State Senator Ricardo Lara would support and endorse a person who is on probation. By endorsing a person of Stinnett’s character, Garcia’s and Lara’s own behavior and actions as state representatives come into question. It… Read more »