The following letter to the editor was published in the Beach Reporter newspaper (TBRnews.com) on Thursday, March 22, 2012 in the Letters section. The Beach Reporter has a strict 250-word limit.
Responsibility to identify
To all El Segundo voters: I am a long-time (25-plus years) resident and small business owner in El Segundo and I am sick and tired of the “nasties” that seem to crawl out of their holes at election time. In particular, I address those who hide behind the e-mails circulating from “omg.elsegundo.” I do believe in free speech, but, those who belittle persons with whom they disagree or have issues, justified or not, should at least be willing to identify themselves.
I have posted questions and responses to both our former city manager’s blog and to omg.elsegundo, without any replies from the writers of the unproven allegations on Chevron USA and the discrediting of a current city councilman running for re-election. Note that all of the candidates for City Council have stated their stands on the issues and have gone on the record. There was a very informative two-page article in the El Segundo Herald on March 15.
We, as voters, have the right and duty to vote for the candidates of our choice and do so. Those running for public office have the responsibility to answer to us.’How can they respond to the nonsigned diatribe we see on our computers almost every day? This cannot be done if you do not let us know who you are.
Be honest with us and with the candidates. Tell us who you are so we can respond.
Karl W. Jacobs, El Segundo
El Segundo Police Officers' Association (ESPOA) Exposed