-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 6:13 PM
To: Senator.Poochigian@sen.ca.gov
Subject: State Attorney General Campaing
Senator Poochigian,
I was a strong supporter of your past worker’s comp reform. You helped improve much for the citizens and business of California. However; I take offence to the negative method in which you are campaigning against Mayor Jerry Brown for the State Attorney General position. You’ve destroyed the image I once had of you.
I could never vote for a candidate that doesn’t first try to win the public support with a campaign designed to educate the public about his or her’s qualifications and goals. It’s appalling to see the method you’ve taken. Other than your efforts towards reforming workers comp, my only other exposure to you has been your commercials blasting Mayor Brown.
I’m an extremely conservative business owner in East Oakland which is located in one of the worst sections of a very liberal town. It may be a bad section of town, but in my 25 years at this location, not only has my wife and I built the largest single NAPA Auto Parts Store in the nation, we’ve also grown very close to many of neighbors in this great community. Since Mayor Brown took office, I have seen major improvements in our neighborhood, and can personally attest to the fantastic job the Mayor and his fellow City of Oakland workers have done in improving the lives of those who reside and work in this city. I’ve had many first hand experiences with crime, more so than most, and both as a victim and an observer. I’ve witnessed drug dealing, murders, gang violence, prostitution, and pimping. Since Mayor Brown took office, crime has reduced dramatically, and I give Mayor Brown most of the credit for this achievement. I’m not so afraid anymore.
With the negative rhetoric you are using, you’re improperly slandering someone that the citizens of Oakland know as one of the greatest assets this city ever enjoyed. Your defamatory campaigning has backfired in your efforts to gain my vote. You lost my vote – and, yes, I would have strongly considered you. I can only hope that others view your malicious ads the same as I do -- unethical and dirty. You’re not the kind of person that should be protecting the Citizens of California.
Regards,
Tim Gerrity, President
NAPA Auto & Truck Parts/Oakland
General Auto Parts
4425 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94601-4510
