LETTERS: CAMPAIGN ADVICE FOR CANDIDATES

To the editor:

I came home from work last Thursday, and my 8-year-old son asks, "Dad, why do we have a `Paul Sander for Mayor' sticker on the back of our car?"I responded by saying, "Because I think he's doing a good job as mayor of Jackson, and I like him as a person.""You know him?" Austin asked incredulously."Yes. I even had lunch with him today." Although I declined to add there were at least 30 other people at the monthly Chamber of Commerce meeting, I was technically correct in the best Clintonese parsing of the word "with." Nonetheless, Austin was impressed.

The spring elections will soon be upon us. If you're a candidate running for office, here's how you'll get my vote:Tell me what you are for, not what you're against.

Tell me why I should vote for you, not why I shouldn't vote for your opponent.

Tell me what you will do to improve our lives, not what your opponent did that you basically disagree with.

Build your case on why you are a better candidate, and can you do it without tearing down your opponent.

As every political officeholder knows, you cant please everyone. Even the best of women and men will differ in opinions and methods of governance. There's more than one way to make a balogna sandwich, but we all have to eat.

The best way to launch a political career begins with a campaign of integrity.

GRANT GILLARD

Jackson