Letter to the editor: Congratulations to our newly elected local leaders

The political campaigns are over, and the work for the people begins. Sincere condolences to all those who ran and did not get enough votes to get the position they worked for. Having been in that situation many times myself, I know it is not a pleasant experience. Congratulations to our newly elected District 12 Sen.-elect John Grabinger and Reps.-elect Alex Looysen and Jessica Haak.

When I was mayor of Jamestown, Grabinger was a city councilman. He was always courteous and respectful to me, to the other council members and those who came before the council to express their views. He will do a thoughtful job, not only for our District 12, but also for the people of North Dakota. Both Looysen and Haak will bring new energy and new ideas to the North Dakota House of Representatives. I believe that both of them are intelligent and strong enough to respectfully speak out and will not let others, who have served for years, intimidate them because of their age.

Congratulations to Jamestown native and Jamestown College graduate Tessa Gould, who was named chief of staff by Senator-elect Heidi Heitkamp. With Gould, Looysen and Haak, Jamestown College can be proud as they all have a connection with our college.

Congratulations to my friend Rep.-elect Kevin Cramer — another genuine, knowledgeable, and kind person. He will thoughtfully consider and listen to all of us regardless of our political leanings.

Congratulations to Heidi Heitkamp. May she really be the “bat girl” who will stand up for what is good for North Dakota and its people. She has a good resume of working in government, a good mind, and hopefully she will, following Grabinger’s example, contemplate other people’s differing opinions and take into consideration their ideas and needs.

Shortly after the election, Heitkamp was interviewed on the “Ed Show.” She not only did a good job in the interview, but came across enthusiastic and ready for the job. During the interview, I found myself saying several times “I agree with her on that.” It was at the end of the interview when she used Mitt Romney as an example of someone who should pay more taxes that I said “It would have been better, and more believable that she will do something about fair taxation, had she used Warren Buffett as an example of someone who should pay more taxes.”

Time to level the playing field, overhaul our tax code and get rid of the special tax breaks for special friends both in and out of business — at the federal level and the state level. I am counting on all of our elected officials to do so.

Tags: opinion, letters, politics