I have known Debbi Lester for 20 years. We share many passions in regard to sustainable agriculture, sustainable communities and environmental concerns.

Her children and mine were home birthed in Eagledale around the same time. I have always admired her energy and tenacity.

However, I have serious concerns in regard to her ethics and integrity. I wrote about the non-permitted placement of a pole structure on public property between Ericksen and Hildebrand as vandalism.

The next week Debbi Lester supported the civil disobedience – the taking of public property without public input or process and the construction of a non-permitted structure on that property between 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Monday as, “Bainbridge, we have a solution!”

Her supporters maintain there was no need for a permit. However, a neighbor and I each had to pay $1,200 for a permit to build pole structures on our properties.

The pole structure on the neighbor’s property is a carport, which closely resembles the non-permitted structure standing in the right of way between Ericksen and Hildebrand.

Our City Council must model respect for our laws and community development regulations.

We don’t need council members who condone getting things done in a public right of way during weekends without public input or process.

Activism alone does not qualify Debbi for council. Leadership in the absence of integrity and a strong ethical code is tyranny.

Art Biggert

Eagledale