Congratulations to Vice Mayor Fred Pinto on his resounding victory. Kudos to his campaign manager and all the volunteers.
Mr. Pinto was endorsed by the Palm Beach Post and strongly endorsed by the Town-Crier. My congratulations also to David Swift, and Jim Rockett in Loxahatchee Groves. My commiseration to the losers; one of you brought your defeat upon yourself.
Justin Sallenbach’s challenge to Fred Pinto was an exercise in futility. You cannot and should not challenge a committed, experienced incumbent who is doing an excellent job just for the sake of challenging. Perhaps he was encouraged by someone on the board? During the last village election, I said the same thing when Mayor Matty Mattioli was being challenged. I said then it would be better to try and learn from him instead of challenging him. The Town-Crier went one better by suggesting that Mr. Sallenbach should gain more experience in local government first, perhaps through one of the village’s volunteer boards. My letters to the editor quite often ruffle feathers in various political circles, but I stand by my every word and make no apology whatsoever.
My message to Martha Webster: You contributed to your defeat by resorting to gutter politics. Signs (and you had very many) don’t win elections; the electorate is more educated today than at any other time. Most people I spoke with agree that you were very wrong to file an ethics complaint against Mr. Pinto, who is an administrative assistant for Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, alleging that Mr. Pinto violated ethics rules when he voted for two special exemptions for tenants in Mr. Santamaria’s shopping plaza. The ethics commission cleared Mr. Pinto but cautioned him to avoid the appearance of impropriety whenever he casts votes that could benefit his boss.
Politicians like Jess (“simply the best”) Santamaria and Fred Pinto are committed to public service while others are involved. The difference between involvement and commitment is like an eggs and ham breakfast — the chicken was involved; the pig was committed.
The Town-Crier correctly endorsed all three winners (my choice also). I say to the Town-Crier, please continue to inform and educate us so that we can make informed decisions whenever we elect politicians. Some politicians cause happiness wherever they go. Others cause happiness when they go.
Karl Witter, The Acreage
