Ziebold has right priorities for Walden
The citizens of Walden need to be critical thinkers in the Alderman race between Lou Ziebold and Lizzy Schmidt. Don’t be fooled, the candidate who has your best interest is Lou Ziebold.
There’s no question Schmidt has a conflict in not wanting a Town Center with a grocery store.
The grocery owned by Pruett’s sits on land owned by a company she and family members have stock in. This arrangement benefits her.
The facts are clear; they can be read in the minutes of the Walden Planning Commission, Walden Town meetings, and the Walden Land Use Planning Commission. Go to: Walden.gov for details.
Simply stated, Schmidt voted against the recommendation of the Planning Commission she voted to create. The recommendation included a 30,000-foot anchor store in the Town Center. At that time, Mayor Lee Davis voted for the recommendation and stated, “The Town Council should not become the Walden Planning Commission.”
Nevertheless, Alderman Schmidt offered an amendment of 15,000-foot- maximum for an anchor store, which killed the project; Alderman Cassidy concurred.
Vote for Lou Ziebold.
Wilbourne C. Markham
Lizzy Schmidt is best choice for Walden
Lizzy Schmidt will move Walden into the future, not retreat to past rejected big box shopping centers. Lizzy “has worked tirelessly to promote and improve our quality of living, enhance our sense of community and preserve the integrity of our small-town mountain heritage.” Her four years in office attest to this.
Two years ago, Lizzy voted to require developers to honor existing zoning regulations of the Town Center District. Her courageous stand allowed the town to sidestep traffic and wastewater problems and avoid the illusion of a tax revenue windfall. That project was rejected in courts and voted against in the last election. Studies have shown that shopping center sprawl in small towns often lowers home values. We should not put our home investments and quality of life at risk. Lizzy advocates sensible development.
Her opponent served an abbreviated term on the planning commission. He maintains a portfolio of out-of-state, large-scale shopping centers. As many know, Lizzy, along with 15 other grandchildren, inherited a minuscule investment trust in a locked-in, 50-year-old land lease that includes the Pruett’s shopping center.
Walden must move forward. Lizzy has our best interests at heart.
Mary Aho
Lizzy Schmidt will protect Walden’s ‘feel’
You should vote for Lizzy Schmidt in Walden because she supports commercial development that aligns with Walden’s Land Use Plan. She is running against Lou Zeibold, a developer here and out of state, who looks at commercial development as a way to make the most money off a piece of land despite the development’s impact on traffic, crowding, and infrastructure. For example, his plan for a 30,000-square foot grocery store will have an adverse effect on the above.
Lizzy grew up in Walden. She appreciates that keeping growth smaller and controlled is the key to retaining the lovely small-town we now have in Walden.
Please vote for Lizzy Schmidt for Alderman in Walden on Nov. 5.
Carolyn Longphre
Support Lou Ziebold in Walden election
On Nov. 5, the citizens of Walden have a unique opportunity to enhance our community. A developer, working closely with our town officials, has proposed a Town Center that aligns with the values and character of our town. Lou Ziebold, candidate for Alderman, has been instrumental in guiding this process as a member of the Walden Planning Commission, ensuring that our award-winning Land Use Plan is brought to life — delivering far more than just a grocery store.
Unfortunately, Alderwoman Lizzie Schmidt has imposed a restrictive 15,000-square-foot cap on the project. Retail experts agree that a limited footprint would make the proposed center unsustainable.
The plan goes beyond providing a new grocery store. It introduces an ecologically responsible, Town Center that features a national grocery retailer, gathering spaces like a splash park and amphitheater, and an aesthetically appealing layout.
After reviewing the facts, I believe you’ll agree with me that Lou Ziebold is the most ethical, knowledgeable, and responsible choice for Alderman. His dedication to ensuring that the Town Center project reflects Walden’s best interests makes him the right candidate to move our community forward.
Please join me in voting for Lou Ziebold for Walden Alderman on Nov. 5.
Frances Connor
Michele Reneau has integrity, right priorities
I wanted to write to you in support of Michele Reneau, candidate for the state House seat/District 27. I have gotten to know her and her family through mutual friends and have spoken to her on numerous occasions. I have witnessed her dedication to her husband, Chris, and five children and have seen her passion for the wellbeing of our families and culture. She has been a successful realtor. She has a sincere faith and an ethic of service and integrity. I have found that she does her homework and has good reasons for her positions on important issues which will be addressed in our legislature.
She will be an advocate for families, fiscal responsibility and thoughtful legislative integrity. She is strong in the areas of parental rights, first amendment rights and limited government.
In a time when our culture is in turmoil and our trust in politicians is low, we need Michele to represent us in Nashville. I encourage your readers in District 27 to get out and vote for her.
J. Daniel Stanley
Trump’s admiration of Putin is a danger
Donald J. Trump is having meltdown after meltdown as he tries to get the American people to allow his crime wave to continue.
His audiences are dwindling down in size, and many are leaving as he speaks in a completely deranged and incoherent manner.
He’s the kind of man who figures he’s way above everyone when in reality he is just a pitiful excuse of a human being trying to remain out of prison for his numerous crimes.
Personally, I will be one happy individual when this nine-year-old nightmare comes to an end.
Trump is now the oldest person to ever run for the office of the presidency, and he’s showing considerable deterioration physically and mentally.
Thing is, issues like this are negligible when one looks at Trump’s admiration of dictators and despots.
In particular is his well-known and documented infatuation with Vladimir Putin, America’s long-time enemy, who by all appearances has this self-indulgent man wrapped around his finger. This presents a clear and present danger to our nation. Vote accordingly.
Calvin Henderson