Auburn Skies

Auburn Reporter editor Mark Klaas discusses all things Auburn, including comings and goings, local issues and community efforts.

August 10th, 2009 at Mon, 10th, 2009 at 12:12 pm by markklaas

The race for mayor enters a new phase this week as the four candidates work for votes. Clearly, Mayor Pete Lewis’ well-organized and operated campaign has been in high gear since Lewis returned from vacation back East. Lewis has the support and the connections. While the Auburn Reporter doesn’t intend to endorse a particular candidate, all indications are Lewis will be the strong front-runner in next Tuesday’s mail-vote primary. The quest for No. 2, however, remains up in the air. Many people like Frank Lonergan, a locksmith security technician, as he battles City Councilmember Virginia Haugen and Shelley Erickson for the right to advance to the Nov. 3 general election. Lonergan has local businesses at heart. Given the rough times of a deep recession, with blue-collar Auburn being especially hit hard, Lonergan represents a receptiive, new voice. But will he have enough political and monetary support to challenge Lewis? That remains very much in doubt.

markklaas Mark Klaas, editor of the Auburn Reporter, is an award-winning journalist who has worked in the newspaper industry for more than 25 years. He previously worked as a reporter and editor in Idaho, Oregon and California before moving to the Puget Sound in 1993. He lives in King County with his wife, Sara, and children, Derek and Elizabeth.

More articles by markklaas >
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  • youngauburncitizen
    "While the Auburn Reporter doesn’t intend to endorse a particular candidate, all indications are Lewis will be the strong front-runner in next Tuesday’s mail-vote primary."

    "Virginia, you can speak for yourself? Right?"

    "While the Nov. 3 general election is less than 11 weeks away, both candidates will be busy trying to secure the extra vote. Lewis, as expected, locked up one berth with a convincing showing in Tuesday’s primary. No surprise there. "

    "Haugen supporters have indicated that she has maintained a low profile in the mayoral race, apparently letting Erickson do her talking."

    Hmmm...not endorsing? I guess the key word here would be "intend"...just an observation. I didn't know that mocking other candidates and their supporters, while clearly showing positive support for another candidate was unbiased (sarcastically stated). Maybe you should check out all the negative posts coming from Pete's supporters. You could say that they are speaking for Pete as well, but that wouldn't be ethical or fair to Mayor Lewis, would it?

    Why does it have to be that Shelley is speaking for Virginia? Could we now say that all of Pete's supporters are speaking for him? Why, now, would Virginia (of all people) have to hide behind Shelley? We all know that she has never been one to hide or keep her mouth shut if she has something to say. Yes, you are right when you say Shelley has a right to speak her opinion, but you are dead wrong, very unfair, and very bias when you put those opinions in Virginia's mouth. That would be stating a personal opinion, not fact, wouldn't it?

    Unbiased, I think not.

    As editor of a newspaper you should know better.
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