EDITOR:
I would like to take exception to a Letter to the Editor published in the May 12 issue concerning Jim Wheeler, candidate for state Assembly, District 39. In the letter Ms. Shizuru asks, "Who is Jim Wheeler?"
Well, I'd like to tell you. I've had the pleasure of working with Jim and being his friend for the last few years. Jim is a straight forward, honest man whose only intention is to be the best representative possible for the people of the 39th district. Jim is the only candidate running for that office that is not a politician. He is a former CEO that knows how to create jobs and knows what it takes to make business spur the economy. He is the only candidate who believes in the "citizen government" that this country was founded on.
In the letter, Ms. Shizuru says that Jim insulted his audience by not laying out his plan at a luncheon she paid $20 for, but instead told everyone that he would lay out his plan to repair our state economy at the Douglas County Candidate Forum the next day. I must ask. Do you think a small luncheon is the place to lay out a plan as important as this one? Or, is the largest gathering of Republicans in the county the correct place?
The answer to that one is obvious. I must also point out that Jim is the only candidate to actually put forth any kind of plan, the others talk in generalities instead of specifics. In his plan he not only raises revenues for our state, but also reduces frivolous spending by re-prioritizing our government spending to its necessary, basic levels. Another tidbit Ms. Shizuru got wrong. I suggest that Ms. Shizuru, and every other voter, go to Mr. Wheeler's web site (www.jimwheeler.us ) and actually read the plan. It's right there on the front page for everyone to see.
If you have been to any speech that Jim has given, the one thing that never changes is his statement that "only a fool would raise taxes in the middle of the worst recession in this country's history." So I also asked Jim about not signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. His answer was as usual, simple and straightforward, "I'd love to, but I've never gotten one."
It is obvious that Ms. Shizuru is using the pages of The Record-Courier to stump for one of the other candidates against someone who has become the front runner in this race, and is using the same old political half-truths and innuendo to do so. It is just as obvious that I am using these pages to stump for Mr. Wheeler. However, I am doing it the same way Mr. Wheeler does business. Honestly, straightforwardly and aboveboard. I'm proud to call Jim my friend and he will definitely be getting my vote on June 8.
Fred Ciccarelli
Gardnerville
