Letters: Encinitas deserves better than mayor’s gender politics

Let me know if you find this as disturbing and sexist as I do. Mayor Tony Kranz is actually insinuating that voters should not vote for Luke Shaffer and Jim O’Hara because they are male.

First, Allison Blackwell is not running for re-election; she was never elected. Kranz appointed her, and to make matters worse, he decided that an appointee should be deputy mayor. That is an insult to resident voters.

Kranz appointed Joe Mosca to the council a few years ago. Was it not important to choose a woman at that time? Kranz also ran against a woman for mayor in the last election. I sense a huge level of hypocrisy here. Kranz wants his appointee back and another candidate handpicked by Catherine Blakespear.

Encinitas has had more than enough of her influence in our government.

Destiny Preston has been in Encinitas for less than two years! Who runs for City Council after such a short time? Voting for someone based on race and/or gender is just as wrong as voting against someone for the same reason. Also, why is our mayor using his office to electioneer for other candidates in the first place?

Here is the Kranz Newsletter:

Dear ____,

One of the aspects that worries me about the current election here in Encinitas isn’t just the possibility of candidates with little or no governing experience replacing our current City Council members—it’s the risk of our city losing the valuable wisdom of women in city government. This is a serious concern that I share with Senator (and former Mayor) Catherine Blakespear, Assemblymember (and former Councilmember) Tasha Boerner, and current Councilmembers Kellie Hinze and Joy Lyndes.

Two Encinitas City Council seats, currently held by widely respected and accomplished women, are on the line. Deputy Mayor Allison Blackwell is running for re-election, and Councilmember Kellie Hinze isn’t running again in order to spend more time with her young children and family. Running to replace Kellie and Allison are two male candidates. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I strongly believe that the perspective of women on our City Council has had a tremendously positive effect on the city’s accomplishments and stability over the past few years.

Let’s work to achieve victory for Allison and Destiny so the wisdom and balance in Encinitas leadership can continue! Please join Senator Blakespear, Assemblymember Boerner, Councilmembers Hinze and Lyndes, and me as we support these two remarkable women at Saturday’s free event!

Steve Golden
Encinitas