Kristjansson, Kuenzi Write Response to "Smear Campaign"

Darcy Kuenzi (left) and Sue Kristjansson have refuted fliers they describe as "inaccurate, misleading and slanderous." Menifee ...

Darcy Kuenzi (left) and Sue Kristjansson have refuted fliers
they describe as "inaccurate, misleading and slanderous."
Menifee City Council members Sue Kristjansson and Darcy Kuenzi have prepared a public rebuttal in response to questions from residents who have received unsigned fliers with accusations about the candidates.

In her closing comments during tonight's 6 p.m. candidates forum, Kristjansson will make reference to the letter, co-authored by her and Kuenzi. Copies of that letter will be made available to those who attend the forum, which will take place in Webb Hall at the Sun City Civic Association campus, 26850 Sun City Blvd.

Kristjansson is one of four candidates running for the District 1 city council seat who are scheduled to take part in tonight's forum. Mayoral candidate Scott Mann also is scheduled to participate. Kuenzi, also a candidate for mayor, will not be in attendance in order to support a close family friend who is undergoing surgery, but a statement will be read in her behalf.

In a Sept. 10 report on Menifee 24/7, Kristjansson and Kuenzi denied all allegations made against them in the fliers, which they had discovered were being left on the doorsteps of Menifee residents. The author of those fliers has not been determined since then, but both candidates say many residents still have copies of the fliers or are concerned about their content.

"People still have these fliers or remember getting them," said Kristjansson, who said she doesn't know if new copies are being distributed. "They are asking why I haven't issued a rebuttal. If there are still people who believe these things, it's necessary for us to refute them."

In the rebuttal letter that will be presented at tonight's forum, Kristjansson and Kuenzi describe the fliers as "a vicious smear campaign by a person or group that is circulating an unsigned, crudely prepared flier filled with inaccurate, misleading and slanderous statements."

In the letter, they refer to two sections of the California Code of Fair Campaign Practices. One prohibits the use of character defamation against any candidate and the other requires that candidates publicly repudiate support from any individual or group who participates in this kind of activity against an opposing candidate.

"Not only is this flier offensive to us, it is an affront on the seniors of the Sun City area where it has been distributed," the letter continues. "Many of the ones being targeted do not have access to outside source of information and may be unfairly influenced by such hateful means to affect their vote."

The letter asks any resident receiving one of the fliers to contact Kristjansson or Kuenzi so they can determine the source of the fliers and address the individuals face to face.

"People have seen these fliers and some have contacted me," Kuenzi said. "They are not fooled by it. I've lived in this community for 20 years and people know me better than that. I have faith and trust that the voters of Menifee will see this for what it is."

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Sue Kristjansson 8349586195363542006

Post a Comment

  1. Who ever has perpetrated this tactic is totally without any ethics. I hope the identity of the person is discovered and their name made public. If any of the candidates are involved or aware of whom has done this should immediately come forward.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cowards are type of people who do this sort of thing and since it was a coward who did this we will never see a coward come forward and admit to his deed. In addition, this is an example of old time politics that is practiced in the Sun City Core area. Some of our current candidates gave his blessing to these signs and we can figure out which candidates are behind this tactic by the process of elimination because we know who didn’t do this. Don’t we?

      Delete
  2. Well said Uncle Chuck. Clearly when someone is outshined, outclassed, and underqualified when compared to their opponent, they resort to name calling, degradation, and personal attacks on their opponent as an attempt to make themselves look better. Kristjansson and Kuenzi are clearly qualified, and more importantly, have a drive and vision to move our city forward to greatness. They, along with Bill Zimmerman, will progress Menifee to the premier city in our region.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Uncle Chuck, and Anon, You seemed to be hell bent on who is clearly qualified, based on what? A high school diploma? On volunteering for anything and everything in the city, that does NOT qualify anyone. I suspect we'll end up like San Bernardino and other cities because they too voted in folks who have no clue how a city budget functions, how a city should work instead bring in developers and build away, all the while getting hidden money put in their pockets. I don't care how much they get their picture on Menifee 24/7, or how many ads they run, you MUST be qualified!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More important is who is unqualified. What hidden money? Many voters are completely in the dark about what qualities are needed for a leader or how our type of government functions.

      Delete
  4. What Menifee does not need is Sue, Darcy and Bill to overdevelop this city. Many people moved her to live in a rural setting and these three want growth that will only remove any rural lifestyle but will make traffic worse than it already is. Haun Rd. is the area they are pushing to develop and the traffic there is horrible at best now.
    I say this city needs change.

    ReplyDelete
  5. More people need to attend city council meetings and planning commission meetings and see for themselves what goes on. I think they would be shocked and would see what truly is planned and how they go about controlling the council.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Darci CastillejosOctober 14, 2012 4:20 PM

    Bill, Sue and Darcy are not hellbent on overdeveloping Menifee. Just actually listen to them and you will find that they too want to preserve our rural character. Just because they don't stand up at council meetings and proselytize to the angry few doesn't mean they don't want what most cizitens want. Thoughtful, quality projects, focusing on improving infrastructure, bringing retail and entertainment opportunities to us, which oh, by the way, counts as development. We need council members who are rational, collaborative and truly care about Menifee, not angry bitter has been politicians, or wanna be's. I believe in Darcy, Bill and Sue!

    ReplyDelete

Readers are invited to leave a comment to contribute to public dialogue. Comments will be reviewed by a moderator and will not be approved if they include profanity, defamatory or libelous comments, or may otherwise be considered objectionable by Menifee 24/7 editors.

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