In November, eight candidates will vie for four seats on the Port Angeles City Council.
I believe it’s not too early to note that only one of those candidates, Jake Oppelt:
• Has a hit-and-run conviction in Clallam County District Court ($500 fine; 2004);
• Pleaded guilty in District Court to making a false statement to law enforcement (365 days in jail, five days of community service, 360 suspended, in 2008).
• Pooh-poohed those incidents during a July 11 KONP radio broadcast, saying there wasn’t “anything” on his record that should be an issue.
• Insists that such incidents are “minor.” Said it’s “petty” to talk about them (“Port Angeles City Council Hopeful Says Misdemeanors In Past ‘Minor Instances,’ ” PDN, July 28).
• Failed to show for three primary election candidate forums that I attended.
Skeptics believe he feared questions about his checkered past and questionable judgment.
Ask yourself if you want a person like this serving on your City Council.
For here is a man who calmly dismisses and denies misdeeds from his past.
Here is a man who thinks giving false information to the police is “minor.”
And here is a man who seemingly lacked the courage — three times — to interact with voters face to face.
I know this wonderful town can do better.
Paul Martin,
Port Angeles