Be wary of Team Gingrich

I’ve heard that “all it takes for evil to prevail, is for good people to do nothing.” What Eminence needs to know before they vote on Tuesday is that (Manda) Gingrich’s entire purpose for running is to hopefully gain control of four city council seats. This would create a quorum on the council and stack every vote in favor of their agendas. Manda Gingrich, Leo Mason, Rochelle (Shelley) Summerlin and Glenn Simpson are running in tandem with each other and in protest to our mayor and council.

I have four main issues with “Team Gingrich”.

1 — A campaign shouldn’t be based on a negative platform. Anyone running for office should do so because they have something to contribute, not something to destroy. However, Gingrich is seeking election based on retaliation, not progress. They’re intent on ousting the incumbents based on what they’re calling dishonesty. However, our elected officials were not dishonest. The pool contract, which was initiated by Gingrich, and without proper authorization, was never signed by any city official, which makes it non-binding. By changing their direction, our leaders simply did what was best for the financial future of Eminence and its citizens.

2 — Concerning funding the pool, if this group has no more financial sense than to think they can simply redirect funds earmarked in the city budget to be used elsewhere, then we don’t need them governing our community. That is called misappropriation of funds!

3 —  If “actions speak louder than words,” then their claim to have a heart for Eminence is overshadowed by their actions. Recently, the Gingriches and the Vanlandinghams attended a Smithfield City Council meeting together where Mr. Vanlandingham presented a letter, prepared by his attorney, demanding a refund from the City of Eminence of the money they had personally donated to “Making Waves” by a certain date or a class-action lawsuit would ensue. Can someone really be seriously committed to a project that is going to cost more than $230,000 and they’ve only been moved and inspired enough to invest $105 themselves? Amazing!

Why take this to Smithfield? Because Smithfield made a donation towards the pool and they were hoping to get Smithfield involved with them in the suit. Shouldn’t all of that business be handled by city leaders and not citizens who don‘t know their place? Now, they want to govern the community they’re discrediting and suing? What a total display of confusion! Gingrich was never authorized to take up donations; just to find supporters willing to pledge.

4 — It is apparent that Gingrich has obtained information from several different closed council meetings and there is reason to believe, because of close association, that they obtained this information from a currently-seated council member. If they are devious enough to even suggest that a councilman compromise his oath, then they have neither the integrity or wisdom to lead. Never mind the fact that he was willing to be swayed and betray those who had enough faith in him to appoint him to his non-elected position. Not only is this unethical, but if any member of “Team Gingrich” gets elected, they’ll probably become the source of a new leak of information.

Being an elected official should still fall under the headings of honesty, integrity and public service. Those in leadership should know how to serve; not manipulate and threaten. These people seemingly have no respect for authority or for anyone standing in their way.

If this is the type of leadership you want, then vote for them. However, if this isn’t the direction that you want for our community to go, vote for someone other than “Team Gingrich!” If you have their signs in your yard, maybe you should pull them up and send them the message that Eminence won’t be bullied by a certain few who feel entitled to always getting their way.

Robert Eades

Eminence Ethics Committee