Dave, Marlene Murphy: Choice is clear, it’s Soiseth

Re “Brem's experience makes him best choice” (Letters, Oct. 14): We have to agree with one sentence from the demeaning letter written by a member of Mike Brem’s steering committee: “Rarely has there been such a clear-cut choice.” Contrary to what the writer tried to convey in his patronizing letter, that candidate is Gary Soiseth. The writer and other Brem supporters have repeatedly suggested that age is a determining factor in deciding the qualifications of our mayoral candidates. We remind voters that Turlock has a decades-long history of young mayors. Brad Bates was elected in his late 20s and Curt Andre was elected in his mid 30s. Should we be expected to consider the fact that Brem is 60-years-old a valid qualification for the office?

We urge Brem supporters to denounce negative mailers and patronizing attacks like these. We urge Turlock voters to look beyond petty diatribes to question the qualifications of the candidates for themselves. We have no doubt that after a consideration of each candidate’s positions on some of Turlock’s most pressing issues, Soiseth will continue to be seen as the clear-cut choice.

This story was originally published October 28, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Dave, Marlene Murphy: Choice is clear, it’s Soiseth."