I write this in disgust after reading Mr. Winter’s (and apparently, the entire Daily Record's) opinion piece published on July 26, 2020 and the narrow perspective presented. As the publisher of this paper, he put a picture of himself in the Sunday paper with an ominous headline, overtly attempting to instill fear while simultaneously claiming that “plain old fear” is what is holding our community back. This is a classic example of why folks complain of media bias! By the way, I’m also pretty sure that guy doesn’t even live in San Marcos but rather Wimberley or Woodcreek or whatever, though, you know, he’s worried about “our” future here in San Marcos.
His editorial neglected to mention that candidates such as Mark Anthony Rockeymoore are seeking reelection for City Council Place 4 nor did he mention that my classmate from Leadership San Marcos Class of 2012, Omar Baca, has filed to run for City Council Place 5. Mr. Winter seems sincere in his desire and urgency to unearth some new (or recycled) slum-lord Veruca Salttype candidate that would be willing to forcibly wrangle the proverbial “golden goose” into servitude unto wealthy benefactors at the top of America’s trickle-down economic scheme.
He even perversely remarked that our ecologically-sensitive, life-sustaining river is “possibly our number one tourist attraction” when he should full-well know (from his 38 years of publishing, of course) that our dang Outlet Malls (ching! ching!) serve as the second most popular tourist attraction in the entire state of Texas, and according to “The View,” they are the third best place to shop in the world.
To make last week’s opinionated piece of drivel even worse, Mr. Winter directly stated to readers “Wake up people,” and I shuddered because his language eerily echoed that of Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, and that one conspiracy-theorist guy that I mistakenly dated when my self-esteem was much lower. He often shouted “Wake up,” though he used “sheeple” to describe us “snowflakes” on the left.
Anyway, as a card-carrying member of the San Marcos community (is that what you call it when your San Marcos residence is clearly printed on your driver license?), I wanted to be clear that I emphatically disagree with Mr. Winter’s Reaganesque fan-fic doomsday op-ed. To have labeled it as an opinion from your entire editorial staff makes me question my subscription. It was gross. Full stop.
However, I’m extremely excited to vote for progressive candidates of color during our city’s November election. Can Mr. Winter even vote in our election? I, for one, am comforted that he cannot. Although, I am highly concerned about his wielding of power and influence, using his position as publisher to issue such a poorly written call to action. These candidates, like many of us San Martians are fighting for the LONG-TERM health of our community, focusing on social justice and combating the catastrophic climate crisis rather than aligning with Mr. Winter’s desire to pillage and loot our town in exchange for the “short-sighted” thrill of counting stacks of money with his elitist friends. I believe Mr. Winter should reflect on the words of our Indigenous ancestors who remind us that “When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.” Electing more unethical developers to our city council is certainly not in OUR best interests.
I will use my voice, and I will vote accordingly.
Kelly Stone is an educator, comedian, baby momma, and environmentalist who proudly lives in San Marcos, Texas with her two homeschooled boys and their rescue dog.
