"...will provide fine leadership..."

Another letter to the editor in today's Racine Journal Times in support of Mercedes. We appreciate the support. Find letter online or keep reading:

Vote for Dzindzeleta

We would like to suggest Mercedes Dzindzeleta for Racine City Council. A long-time resident and business person in Downtown Racine, she will be an energetic and productive member of the City Council.

Her desire to improve pedestrian access and safety, by itself, is a quest of great importance to the city and our attempts to recreate the tightly-knit community of past years — a community dependent on close proximity of goods, services, and residences that will be ever more appropriate to an age of wise use of petroleum transportation. The elements for such a community are coming together again; Dzindzeleta will provide fine leadership as progress is made.

Robert Venn, Racine

"A first-class candidate"

Proud to have another letter to the editor in today's Racine Journal Times. Click here or read below:

Vote for Dzindzeleta

The heart of Racine is the 1st District, with its cluster of offices, restaurants, retail stores and residences.

Certainly, “Racine on the Lake” deserves effective representation in City Hall but, sadly, the incumbent and two others running for alderman in the Feb. 17 primary are lacking. The fourth candidate — Mercedes Dzindzeleta (pronounced Din-se-let-a) — is exceptionally qualified. She has the energy, common sense and intelligence to become the best alderman the First district has ever had.

You can find out a lot more about this civic-minded woman on her web site. Check out http://votemercedes.blogspot.com/. Some highlights:

As a private citizen, Mercedes has attended more than 250 City Council meetings, earning the respect of officials for her analysis and grasp of the issues. She brings wide life and work experiences as an environmental consultant, business owner and instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

She knows about government regulations and the need for recycling and quality education and social service. She has participated in numerous workshops and seminars, including a Minnesota camp for progressive community leaders. Her special interests include the KRM rail, pedestrian safety, historic preservation and keeping the Downtown and its neighborhoods vital and alive.In my 30 years as a reporter and editor, I have interviewed many candidates for public office. Rarely did I see one like Mercedes who has such passion, dedication and love for the City of Racine. With so much at stake, we can’t afford to miss a chance to elect Mercedes, a first-class candidate.

Norman Monson, Racine

"Tough, smart and honest..."

We appreciate today's letters to the editor in The Racine Journal Times endorsing Mercedes Dzindzeleta for First District Alderperson. Visit the newspaper's site here or keep reading:

Dzindzeleta best choice to lead 1st District

After a demoralizing winter, Racine voters are demanding positive changes in leadership. It’s gratifying to see candidates willing to serve our community.

Mercedes Dzindzeleta is running for 1st District Alderman in the Feb. 17 primary election. An energetic advocate for progress and ethical reform, she’s ready to lead. Mercedes’ vision and integrity have enhanced civic and nonprofit groups for two decades. With a broad range of experience on business and environmental projects, she’ll offer the confident leadership we need. She’s spent years studying municipal issues and listening to taxpayers. Tough, smart and honest, she knows the problems — and the opportunities — within her district and the city. Many of us welcome the prospect of strong, qualified women in city government. Mercedes’ common-sense insight and clear focus will help us move Racine forward.

Please remember to vote!

Carol Olson, Racine

Mark M. Giese also endorsed Mercedes in the same opinion page section along with other favored candidates running on Feb. 17. See same link.

Letter to editor promotes Dzindzeleta

We appreciate the letter to the editor from a Racine resident, printed in today's edition of The Racine Journal Times. In case you didn't read it yet, here it is:

In 1st District, vote Dzindzeleta

Voters can’t be blamed if they feel that good news and bad news are flying all round them, and deciding where to put their trust is not easy.In the 1st District, a new candidate for alderperson has come forward who will put the needs of the voters ahead of any other concerns.

Her name is Mercedes Dzindzeleta, and as a person who lives and owns a business downtown, she has intimate knowledge of what will work, both for her neighborhood and for the City. Dzindzeleta has made pedestrian safety, historical preservation, environmental awareness and the vitality of our small businesses a centerpiece of her campaign. But she also sees the big picture: she not only favors KRM, but can tell you why it works for all of us. She is also interested in getting feedback from the people who will be benefiting or frustrated by City Council decisions.

Check out her blog at votemercedes.blogspot.com and you will find her background, information on the true cost of commuting, and access to a user-friendly survey on land use and development decisions for Racine.

And after checking it out, I’m betting that she gets the vote of everyone in the 1st District.

Pat Kardas, Racine