Letter To The Editor: Statement Regarding Leighton Meeting
Mark Doland (R)
Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Osky News.
As I have been seeing in the news recently, I feel the need for a clarification in the presentation of information regarding the meeting that was held in Leighton at the Community Center March 7th at 6:30 p.m. After the election, I wanted to thank supporters for their hard work on my campaign. There was a gentleman from Leighton who reserved the center and planned the events of the evening. He asked me to stay around after my victory party while local residents discussed the regional airport project. I agreed to stay and listen and answer questions from the group.
In the process, there were many residents that expressed concern that press may show up to their event and the residents would be hesitant to speak up with their opinions for fear of being quoted or misquoted in a newspaper or on a blog. The organizers honored their requests and asked that I specifically limit my invitations to friends and supporters that were not part of the media. Therefore, I complied with their requests. I invited media and friends to the victory party for a dinner and a thank you speech. Media who were present were aware of the stipulation to their invitation and complied. Each media person who was present had a clear understanding of the conditions of the meeting long before the meeting. These were not my rules or stipulations. On a side note, I have had meetings with supporters of the airport project that were also held in private. These meetings are not top secret meetings. It is the way that business is conducted in every elected office in the country. I am willing to listen to all sides of this issue. My policy remains that if there is any need from any constituent, I have an open door policy. If you would like to meet with me on any matter, please contact me.
Mark Doland
641-295-0135
1802 Burlington Road
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
pixilating_99@yahoo.com
