Last week I fired up the Wayback Machine, and in The Signal’s archives I came across your endorsements for local offices in the 2016 general election.
On Oct. 5, 2016 your article read: “(W)e have also seen – on some elected boards and councils around the Santa Clarita Valley – longevity in office leading to elected officials losing touch with their vote’s effect on constituents; to a stale approach in governing; to squabbling over minutiae; and at times to exhibitions of outright entitlement.”
Well stated.
You followed with a somewhat reluctant endorsement of my opponent for the College of the Canyons board of trustees, Area 4, incumbent Michelle Jenkins. You wrapped it up with: “It is unlikely Jenkins will again receive our endorsement; it is time for our valley to look forward to not just 2020 but to 2050 and beyond.”
Then you gave me and my campaign a brief write-up, which was very fair of you, I appreciated that.
Back to the present day. Since 2016, we’ve seen some turnover on the COC board — which I see as healthy change, a positive development. Based on your 2016 editorial, so do you.
So perhaps you can understand my confusion when I read The Signal endorsed Ms. Jenkins — who has held that seat now for three-plus decades — for the Nov. 3 election.
Now, your endorsement is your business. It’s your right and your prerogative to publish it, but I do have questions.
What changed your mind? Is entrenched, out-of-touch incumbency no longer an issue or a problem?
And: Why no mention of me or my campaign this time? This seat has NEVER been competitive before. I ran a good race in 2016, and this time I’ve got a real shot at an upset win. That’s news!
I thank The Signal for their coverage of local government — it’s good and important work that you do. I’ll close with a reminder to all my Santa Clarita neighbors: Vote, and vote early!
Jerry Danielsen
Candidate, COC Board of Trustees, Area 4
Canyon Country
