Record hasn’t matched rhetoric

As a candidate for Wheaton City Council in 2011, Jeanne Ives promised to end no-bid contracts by the city. Her website listed that issue as one of her top 10 reasons for running. But since her election less than a year ago, her record hasn’t matched her rhetoric.

In her 10 months on the city council, Ms. Ives has voted for 10 out of 10 no-bid contracts totaling more than $4.5 million. As a candidate for state representative, Ms. Ives is now offering more of the same.

Her recent campaign mailer states that she will “put an end to political cronyism.” It is hard not to see a connection between political cronyism and the awarding of no-bid contracts, not to mention Ms. Ives’ stunning hypocrisy in her tenure on the city council. But worse still, Ms. Ives appears to be the type of politician who plays upon and perpetuates the cynicism which many voters harbor toward government today.

Candidates who distract voters from their positions on important issues only deprive us of intellectually honest leaders who are willing to address those issues. We have seen this campaign and this candidate before. I will not vote for Ms. Ives nor will I succumb to the brand of cynicism she traffics in.

Michael Hoffman

Wheaton