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Vote for John Murrisky

Editor: In response to Robin Mattos' letter to the editor concerning the sale of the old fire station and Plunge, I must admit I actually agree with her. What I don't agree with is her bashing city officials and city employees. If she gets elected, which I doubt, no one will want to work with her, which will eventually lead to total chaos in City Hall. I am the one that you should be bashing, I'm the one that wrote that letter. I think your Sesame Street method of damage control is childish and pathetic. Come November, the voters will not remember you for wanting to save the Plunge. They will only remember you for your dealings with Herriman and your many attempts to sue the fine city of Hanford. They will also remember your verbal attack on outstanding city officials and excellent city workers, and if they do forget, I will be there to remind them.

When are you and (Sue) Sorensen going to say those words that everyone is waiting to hear, "I care about Hanford and the people of Hanford"? The people want to hear about important issues such as their paycheck or not having a paycheck, they want to hear how you plan to lower the crime rate, they want a good future for their children. They don't want to talk about the Plunge, or hear about a bunch of bickering in City Hall.

What I would like to talk about is John Murrisky, who I have had the pleasure of meeting. Here is a honest and solid citizen that I believe would be an excellent city councilman. Unlike others, he wants to bring in new businesses so the unemployed can go back to work, and once the unemployment rate drops, so does the crime rate.

is for more parks and recreation for our children and he wants police and fire to be fully equipped with all the tools and resources so they can do their jobs more effectively and safely, so they can do what they were hired to do," protect the people of Hanford."

John Murrisky has spent most of his life helping others, in the military and as an RN. Not only will he help the people in District B, I believe he will help all the people of Hanford, no matter what district they live in, and that's why I support and endorse John Murrisky for Hanford City Council District B.

Do we want to save the Plunge and old firehouse, or do we want safer streets and a strong future for our children? Elect John Murrisky, he cares about the people of Hanford.

Rusty Souza

Hanford

(Sept. 24, 2008)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

jasper wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:23 PM:

" Rusty, I do agree, there is a lot of problems in the city. How does Mr. Murrisky plan to make a change when he refuses to even debate the other candidates. Your opinion is your opinion. I think Mattos has the right attitude and was willing to do what needs to be done for the city. Sounds to me that she has what the city needs, some ideas of saving a resource. Hice, Davis or Douglas and Murrisky have proven themselves to be childish and with "sesame street" behavior. Give me a real leader with a plan. Not someone that has no backbone like Hice, Dougles and Murrisky. It's too bad John won''t show up so we can all get to know him. It all goes to character, afterall "character counts!" "

Warden Bob wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:01 PM:

" Rusty, are you suggesting in your comment " Do we want to save the Plunge and old firehouse, or do we want safer streets and a strong future for our children? Elect John Murrisky" , that Mr. Murrisky would sell the plunge to fund the Hanford PD? I think a real leader would not put us in a situation of having to do one or the other.

I have seen Robin in action at city council meetings. She does her homework and I don't believe that asking tough questions of council members and staff qualifies as "bashing".

So far I like what I see from Ms. Mattos but will keep an open mind. I plan to attend the candidates night the Hanford Sentinel and chamber are putting on. I hope all candidates will attend this event so Hanford citizens can know where they stand on issues important to all. "

Big John wrote on Sep 25, 2008 12:55 PM:

" In response to Jasper:

Before you credit Mattos with an excess of character you should know that five (5) challengers signed the letter indicating they would not attend the candidates forum; Mattos, Hice, Douglas, Murrisky and Spicer. In essence they blackmailed event organizers into making unnecessary changes with an attitude of “My rules or I won’t play”.

I’m not sure any of them are worthy of representing us on the city council. At least Hice, Douglas and Murrisky stuck by their principles and are still refusing to attend. Mattos and Spicer threw the other three to the wolves by (quietly) indicating “OK, now that debate has been changed (in no material way) we’ll come”. Hard for me to trust the entire bunch. "

jasper wrote on Sep 25, 2008 9:18 PM:

" Big John wrote on Sep 25, 2008 2:55 PM:

" In response to Jasper:

Before you credit Mattos with an excess of character you should know that five (5) challengers signed the letter indicating they would not attend the candidates forum; Mattos, Hice, Douglas, Murrisky and Spicer. "

Wow Big John! If that's true, why didn't the Sentinel report that? I'd want to know why Chin and Sorensen didn't sign... Or did they? Sorensen was reported to be a person that would be at the event with Spicer and Mattos. What's the story with Chin? I may change my mind about a few things depending on what's really going on.

Were Hice, Douglas and Murrisky singled out by the Chin, Sorensen, Mattos and Spicer camps or is there more to the story?

If there were no material changes to the program, why would Spicer and Mattos agree to appear and therefore throw "the other three to the wolves"? "

Fence Sitter wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Hey Big John – Get your facts straight!

Sounds like you got this information from a disgruntled District B candidate. Perhaps you better ask him or even better, his step father who’s running in District C. Either way, people need to ask each candidate directly for the correct answer – or does it really matter? "

Big John wrote on Sep 26, 2008 10:55 AM:

" To Jasper:

As to the reason the Hanford Sentinel wrote what they did - who knows. Politics makes for strange bedfellows.

If you doubt Mattos or Spicer signed the letter, just ask them. It will be hard for them to deny as their names and signatures appear next to those of Hice, Douglas and Murrisky.

My understanding is that the five who signed the letter neither informed nor invited either Sorensen or Chin to participate. Again, you'll have to ask Mattos for the reasoning behind their power play decision.

What is clear is the “gang of five” are playing politics and they aren’t even elected yet. This election season reputable candidate pickings seem to me to be very slim. "

jfmurrisky wrote on Sep 27, 2008 8:50 AM:

" To: Jasper
From: John Murrisky
re: debate

I'll be there...! You don't know the entire story behind this issue, therefore, come and listen to what ALL the candidates have to say on Candidate NIght, then you decide!
Thanks...John Murrisky "

jfmurrisky wrote on Sep 27, 2008 8:52 AM:

" To: Bob
From: John Murrisky
re: debate

No...I will not sell the Plunge to support the HPD, that's absurd...come and listen to all the candidates ides at the Forum.
Thanks...John Murrisky "

jfmurrisky wrote on Sep 27, 2008 8:55 AM:

" To: Big John
From: John Murrisky
re: Your comments

I'll be at the Forum and you can ask anything you want...(I hope). Since you don't know the entire story behind our actions, I will not comment of belittle any candidates. I'll say my peace at candidate's night Forum.
Thanks...John Murrisky "

jfmurrisky wrote on Sep 27, 2008 8:59 AM:

" To: Big John & Fence sitter
From: John Murrisky
re: Your comments

Yes, the "Five" did sign the letter to "whom" and we stood behind our words and actions. Since you don't know the entire story, I won't belittle other candidates. I will attend the Forum. I have made myself available to anyone who wants to ask me a question(s) regarding Hanford. We were not and are not playing politics with anyone, we just stood up for what we (5) determined to be right and fair. Isn't that what you want in a councilperson?
Thanks...John Murrisky "

jfmurrisky wrote on Sep 27, 2008 9:19 AM:

" To: Jasper, Warden Bob, Big John & Fence Sit
From: John Murrisky
re: Make conact

Here is my phone number, call and ask your questions and get the entire story...not just bits & pieces.
582-6462
Why isn't it posted...call and I'll tell you.
Thanks...John Murrisky "

Robin Mattos wrote on Sep 27, 2008 9:18 PM:

" Big John:

First, I did not write the letter I and the other candidates signed regarding participation in the event. Other candidates signed before I was asked to review and sign.

Second, I agreed with the content of the letter, specifically the former moderator is the campaign webmaster for Chin and Sorensen, made contributions to Chin and Sorensen's campaign, and was the driving force behind the Kings Co. Board of Realtors donating in excess of $2,500 between the Chin and Sorensen campaigns.

These are the reasons I felt the "targeted" person could be unfair or biased when participating in the event, on any level.

It takes a brave person to run for office, be in the public eye, be ready for public scrutiny, and so on. I expect those things as a candidate running for office.

If you or any other resident would like to discuss this or any other issue, please introduce yourself at the Candidate's forum or write to me at votemattos@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your interest in my campaign. "

Big John wrote on Sep 29, 2008 1:11 PM:

" Ms. Mattos,

I understand you didn’t write the letter, another candidate with whom you are competing crafted the message. Although I strongly disagree with your collective attempt to control the event it seems to me that the candidate who wrote the letter and persuaded the rest of you to sign is actually demonstrating leadership qualities. I’d like to know who actually wrote the letter.

Your post contains several statements I know to be incorrect. Ms. Sorensen was offered a donation from the Board of Realty but turned it down. The original event moderator had nothing to do with Mr. Chin’s website. The donation total you report is grossly overstated.

If you want to be my representative you had better do your homework and make sure your statements are factual. If you are fortunate enough to be selected as our representative we can’t afford for you to be viewed either as poorly informed or disingenuous.

Big John "

Alihandero wrote on Sep 29, 2008 2:13 PM:

" I wrote this before and received not one single answer.

Perhaps this is the proper forum to ask it again:

I would like to know if there is any legal or ethical requirement that requires Mrs. Mattos to divest herself of her position in H.E.A.T. if elected?

If so, will her husband's role in H.E.A.T. continue?

Will the confidentiality of private City Council discussions be observed and assured, given the marriage relationship and the established husband-wife participation in activist causes that engender civil lawsuits?

I don't mean this as an attack on Ms. Mattos, just I concern I have. "

jfmurrisky wrote on Sep 29, 2008 5:46 PM:

" To: All
From: John Murrisky
re: Mattos response

Wait a minute....no one twisted your arm to sign that letter! As I remember, you were all smiles to get the moderator off the panel at the Forum. Secondly, you should have read it before you signed it...I did. It was meant to show that there was possible bias by a moderator. However the contributions and web site issues were not possibly totally factual. You say it takes a brave person to run for office...it takes a bravier person to admit when he or she is wrong. Don't hide behind "those two candidates". Accept your actions for what you signed for. I called Mr. Chin and found out that the facts in the letter were partially incorrect regarding the website and I apoligized to him for the error that I made. It takes a better person to admit his/her mistake! I feel better now and will sleep better tonight.
I do hope that the good citizens of Hanford realize that it really takes an honest person with integrity to admit when their wrong!
John Murrisky "

Delbert wrote on Sep 29, 2008 8:14 PM:

" If the letter was wrong why didn’t anyone who signed check the facts before asking to have that person fired? Did they ever speak to that person? I’d be really upset if they attacked a person they never met. Please tell us what happened to cause such a bad action. Maybe sheep were being herded by a wolf but which one is the wolf? "

Fence Sitter wrote on Sep 29, 2008 9:34 PM:

" To John Murrisky:

I wouldn’t wrap yourself around a non-issue. You’re becoming a drama queen. This whole thing was a smoke screen from the beginning set up by the author to give him a possible edge – you’re being played. All five went for it hook, line and sinker. You and the author are the only ones screaming foul. Why? Because you were standing when the music stopped – the other three believed the Sentinel. They addressed everyone’s concerns and insured that the forum would be fair. I think you need place the blame in the right direction – start with the author who you know. The one candidate that has been less than truthful with the others. Now that the smoke is clear, where John Murrisky on the issues? "

Warden Bob wrote on Sep 30, 2008 1:33 PM:

" After reading the posts from Murrisky, Mattos, Big John, Fence Sitter etc., Lets recap some points no one seems to dispute.

1. The letter was signed by five candidates who felt the moderator at an upcoming candidate forum might by biased. Citing conflicts of interest, the letter stated none would participate unless a certain moderator was removed.

2. The moderator had contributed to the campaign of Sue Sorensen (website). The moderator had also lobbied and voted for a special interest group (real estate board) to donate money to both the Chin and Sorensen campaigns (Sorensen according to Big John returned the money).

3. Neither Mattos, Murrisky nor Spicer who all signed the letter wrote it. Chin and Sorensen either refused to sign the letter or were never offered an opportunity to do so by the author.

I do not blame the candidates who signed the letter, they trusted the author. That any of the allegations were true (no one has disputed all of them) should have been enough to disqualify the former moderator of the event. That person had a clear conflict of interest. "

Carl.Spackler wrote on Oct 1, 2008 9:48 PM:

" Alihandero: I think Mrs. Mattos is ignoring your question. hmmmmmm "

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