The Reader's Forum
Journal Inquirer
August 11, 2005

I was unable to attend the recent Republican caucus. I read with alarm that the Republicans have chosen Robert Kleinhans as the candidate for mayor of Vernon .

During my 50 years of membership in the Republican Town Committee I cannot recall a candidate less suitable to be mayor than Robert Kleinhans. Why?

1) He runs a construction business that requires various permits from the town. This can be a conflict of interest, like the fox guarding the hen house.

2) In the past he has supported Wal-Mart and the other big-box retailers who would ruin our wetlands and destroy our economy.

3) Despite his oath of office as a town councilman to faithfully discharge his duties, he walked out of a council meeting he could not control.

Vernon does not need a walk-out mayor. The present mayor, Ellen Marmer, has supported the Inlands Wetlands Commission when it denied a permit to Wal-Mart and is a better choice for mayor.

Morgan Campbell
Vernon