In response to Audrey Cruickshank’s letter (“Frosty” paid the price, let him serve”, Auburn Reporter, March 23): I still feel City Councilmember Gary Hulsey should have been forthright with the voters of Pacific about his past. But I also recognize the service he has performed diligently for the City, his business ownership in the city and the exemplary life he has led since that fateful day.

In the interest of making peace, I will no longer be seeking a recall of Councilmember Hulsey and hope that his last term in office is a fruitful one with less controversy.

In my defense, as a single father and voter living in the city of pacific, I was genuinely shocked to learn about Hulsey’s past, especially after he came after our new mayor. The stance I took was a precautionary one. My stance was as a concerned voter, a devotee to the political process and as a single father raising my 3-year-old daughter. It blinded me to what Hulsey had done since the events many years ago and for that, I sincerely apologize to Hulsey.

In response to the personal attacks on my character and intelligence leveled on me by Cruickshank: The reason why I lost the election to Joshua Putnam was because 18 more voters decided that it was more in the best interests of the city to keep on an experienced incumbent politician in office rather than take a chance on a newcomer.

When I would have conversations with my fellow voters about my candidacy, I was always honest. I wasn’t an expert on City policy or internal politics. I was asking them to consider me for other reasons that I felt were just as important to City governance.

I choose, as Cy Sun did, to get out there and work for votes.

I’m not afraid to admit that I have failed at things in my life. However, that doesn’t stop me from trying my best and putting myself out of my comfort zone.

We all need to do better about being involved, even if that means getting your character and intelligence maligned in the process.

– Kevin Cline