Candidate's voice wouldn't be fresh one

As a citizen of Batavia's 1st Ward, I strongly disagree with the Daily Herald's Feb. 28 endorsement of Carl Dinwiddie for the 1st Ward Alderman in Batavia.

The Herald cites one of the reasons for the endorsement as Mr. Dinwiddie's putting in the "research time and the effort" by consistent attendance at city council and committee meetings. I have no argument that Mr. Dinwiddie has been paying attention to our city government, and I commend him for his interest.

However, I disagree strongly that, as the Herald states, he would offer "the best opportunity to keep high energy and fresh ideas at work on the board," and that because "he's certainly no go-along-to-get-along resident" he would offer a "breath of fresh air."

The "air" that Mr. Dinwiddie is likely to bring to city council is one of extreme resistance to any capital improvements for our city. Many of us who have been paying attention to a broad range of civic matters in Batavia over the past few decades know that Mr. Dinwiddie and his wife have consistently stood against proposals to benefit the community. His voice would not be a "fresh one," as the Daily Herald assumes. It would be the same voice that has resisted efforts toward progress and the improvement of the quality of life in Batavia for over 25 years.

If my fellow citizens of the 1st Ward are truly looking for someone to keep "fresh ideas at work on the board," then I urge them to turn out and vote for Mr. Salvati in the upcoming election.

Sandra Miller

Batavia