Is this another case of the pot calling the kettle black?

Spectrum, by Mary Kvalheim

Tammie, Tammie -- oops! I mean Barbara, what would your mother say for spreading/printing the "inaccuracies" that you put in your advertisement about Michael Janecek?

The campaign disclosure requirement bylaw as stated in your advertisement was not a bylaw at that time. The Matanuska Electric Association board made this a requirement for Janecek. After his losing a year of representation on the board, and under conditions where most of us would have simply walked away, the court ruled in his favor over the board. How much did that cost me as a member?

It is also my understanding that the donations list was given to the board for their eyes only. How did you get to see it? Where do you get your "facts" regarding the donors? Let's see -- one person on that list works for Chugach, an old high school friend of Michael's, I am on that list and my son is an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers member. Does that make me a donor representing the IBEW?

If IBEW members are giving donations in record number, perhaps we should look at that. The people who work in that shop, who truly know what is going on choose to support Michael Janecek. Many of us have been in this position -- not saying something because of consequences we could suffer. Maybe that is why these people chose to not publicly support Michael and wanted to give anonymously. Think about it, please.

Drug testing? Tammie, look at that board -- no disrespect intended -- but they are mostly in the age classification I am, "older." These folks probably don't stay up past 11 p.m. and are not exactly the partying down crew. The real objection Michael had was he believed this requirement a violation of his constitutional rights. Thank goodness there are still individuals who have the integrity to say, "I don't believe this is right." And, thank goodness, we still have the freedom to do so. His statement to MEA and the members on this drug testing is (on the MEA Web site) "Regulations have been or will be adopted to adequately address these concerns, I intend to submit a hair sample for drug testing."

On the charge of conflict of interest, Michael's answer to MEA's questionnaire is "Yes, I have received contacts from the IBEW and the MEA management, through my attorney, concerning ongoing litigation which has been discussed with MEA management." How is this a conflict of interest? He states it very plainly. Did the board and management not know about these meetings and receive a report of what happened and also a bill from the attorneys? What was the hourly rate of MEA attorneys involved in these conversations and what was the total cost that we as members must pay again?

Finally, Tammie/Barbara, why are you not listed on the MEA Group Elections page? Isn't that a violation of the same MEA bylaws you accuse Michael of violating? Isn't that the purpose of this ad campaign, to remove Michael Janecek from the MEA board? Or, am I missing something?

There are about a thousand IBEW union members living in the MEA service area. I respect your right to dislike unions but please stop attacking the members. These members are your neighbors and your friends and even relatives. Some of them are out there climbing poles so your power stays on and you stay warm. Remember last winter when they did such a great job? I would think you would be thanking them.

Union members play a large part in making this a great place to live, in serving this community. I see the IBEW crew every time I go to recycling. They are working in absolutely horrid weather conditions to save your tax dollars, Tammie/Barbara, helping to keep those expensive landfill cells from filling up. In addition they are youth sport coaches, PTA members, Girl Scout and Boy Scout leaders and many other volunteer positions too numerous to list. Let's thank them.

Let's try that "Unity in Community" stuff in their ads and work together.

Mary Kvalheim chairs the Citizens for Fair MEA Elections Committee.