MP on Henrietta Town Super Candidate Kueppers and Looking Forward
The Messenger Post has an editorial about a candidate for Henrietta Town Supervisor that’s been overlooked in all the primary fray. He’s an alternative to Generic GOP Candidate 1 and 2 that are currently on the ballot on the GOP and Conservative lines. (I.e. Yudelson and Breese.)
The guy is Jeffrey Kueppers, running on the Bright Futures party line, and the D&C had this blurb about him in a writeup on a recent candidates forum:
Kueppers, 41, a house painter, discussed offering cheaper electric service to Henrietta residents. He said he would institute a board of ethics to ensure that town funds are not misappropriated. He talked about making Henrietta an “incubator” for alternative energy sources.
We’ve mentioned previously how alternative energy is a no-brainer, politically. Everyone likes it regardless of political stripes. The question is, is it just used, like wounded soldiers, as window dressing/political props, or is there a real committment to it?
The Messenger Post editorial does a good job of detailing why Kueppers is an intersesting alternative to the business-as-usual of the county GOP:
While Kueppers comes late to the race, it’s not a moment too soon.
Based on the primary campaigns and letters to this newspaper so far, residents could use a healthy dose of issues and outside perspective, instead of the typical campaign nonsense that voters have repeatedly said, enough is enough.
Does it really matter who the county Republican Party is backing – Breese, over the wishes of local Republicans – when development continues to reshape Henrietta at the expense of farmland? And where are we with plans for a town center – which ideas work and which won’t?
A campaign of varying ideas and candidates can help residents nail down specific answers to those questions, but the primary campaign has essentially come down to this: A 22-year supervisor whose main issue is his record, and a councilman whose backers say his time has come.
Residents deserve more.
The GOP candidates agree on many issues facing the town, such as stable tax rates, attracting business to town and maintaining service. Both candidates are bright with big ideas – but both apparently need the challenge an outsider like Kueppers can bring to share those ideas substantively.
Kueppers has already proposed a legitimate issue facing not only Henrietta, but all towns – the use of alternative energy sources. In particular, wind power. Again, we’ll see if Kueppers has a plan, or if this is just wishful thinking.
But it would be nice if we heard what all candidates for the town’s highest office think about the future, rather than rehash the past.
I think Itchy said it best in a recent comment — the county GOP is “managing us down”, a controlled descent but a descent nonetheless. We won’t pull out of that descent by continuing to follow the same-ol’ flight plan.
Related posts:
Well, obviously in Democratic cirlces having ideas qualifies you to run for office. I have actually had the “pleasure” of meeting Kreuppers, and I was hardly impressed. Poorly spoken and didn’t quite seem to grasp the issues. While, Yudleson is a Republican, anyone who knows him knows that he bitterly opposes Minarik, is a former Democrat, and is a firm believer in open/good government.
For me, defeating Breese and moving forward with Yudleson is as good as electing a Democrat. Unfortunately, all some people see are the letters (D) or (R) next to name, and not the actual person and their qualifications.
Two thoughts.
1. First, I’m not sure why you’re jumping to conclusions? I didn’t read the posting as an endorsement in any way. Its just getting the word out that perhaps people should find out more about this candidate. Apparently, if you publicize information about candidates, you automatically endorse them. Strange thought.
2. It sounds as though you’re suggesting that Yudelson is in fact a Democrat, in Republican clothing. If so, why doesn’t he just become a Democrat again? Moreover, if Henrietta Republicans want to elect officials with Democratic values, why don’t they all just switch parties. The door is always open for those with a change of heart. There’s no need to remain in a party you don’t believe in.