Hentz takes position on private endorsement surveys

On Jan. 10, 2005, I received the following letter from a group concerned about the direction our city is headed in. Because I think most of us are concerned with the direction Oshkosh is going, I felt it was important to post the letter and my response for all residents in the City of Oshkosh to read.
- Cheryl Hentz

(letter sent to candidates)
Dear Candidates,

Recently, a group of active city residents, business owners and managers formed Forward Oshkosh. We are concerned about the future direction of the city and created Forward Oshkosh to identify and support candidates for local office who share our basic philosophy of effective and efficient city administration.

We’ve listed a few questions for you. We are soliciting answers from every candidate for city council and mayor. We would appreciate your quick response. Forward Oshkosh will compare candidate’s responses and select and support candidates who best represent our city government philosophy. If you do not have a particular opinion about a question, don’t feel it is necessary to answer it. Concise and “to the point” answers are most appreciated.

1) What are your views of TABOR? What area (sic) of the city budget do you believe need to be increased and/or decreased?
2) What are your views of the current city administration? Which departments do you believe are operating well, and which departments do you think need improvement? (What improvements need to be made?)
3) What is the city government’s roll (sic) in economic development?
4) What are the 3 most important road projects that need to be addressed?
5) What should the City of Oshkosh’s top priorities be?

Please email or mail your responses by January 17th to Forward Oshkosh, PO Box 143, Oshkosh, WI 54903-0143 or if possible, we’d appreciate an emailed response to forwardoshkosh@dbspartner.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Forward Oshkosh Candidate Selection Committee
Ron Johnson
Ben Ganther
Paul Swanson
Jim Janes
Keith Pallnow

Authorized and paid for by the Forward Oshkosh PAC/Conduit, Keith Pallnow, Treasurer


(Hentz response, dated Jan. 11, 2005)
Dear Forward Oshkosh Candidate Selection Committee,

I am in receipt of your letter soliciting political positions from the current candidates for city council and mayor.

While I appreciate what you are trying to do, I don't know much about your group. Nor do I know if you share candidates' answers with ALL of your members, which is what groups like this really should do, in my opinion, rather than vetting through the responses and simply recommending to people who they should vote for. The Chamber of Commerce's method of operation is that of the latter and it really seems to somewhat usurp an individual's right to think for him or herself.

Your questions are interesting, however. As someone running for public office I seek to serve all people's interests. Therefore, in addition to what I stated in the preceding paragraph, I would like to see that all the citizens of Oshkosh have an opportunity to hear candidates' answers to these questions. To that end I must decline from answering for a specific group, but would respectfully request that you present these questions to the League of Women Voters for them to ask during the upcoming candidates' forum. That seems to be a better way of getting candidates' messages and positions out to the entire electorate.

Thank you again for sending me your questionnaire.

Cheryl Hentz
Candidate for the Oshkosh Common Council