Well, it didn’t take long for the criticism and conspiratorial innuendo to begin.
A woman has the courage to run for office in her town because she has concerns about the direction it’s taking, and suddenly she’s attacked by faceless, nameless people who don’t even have the guts to use their own names when they attempt to mock her motives and demean her credentials.
I never met Joy Bowen, but, according to the newspaper article, she is a civic-minded, church-going member of the community with two children attending Flower Mound schools.
Why would anyone become so vicious toward a woman simply because she decided to get involved in the political process?
What does it say about people who hide behind their anonymity, while hurling brickbats at those valiant few who enter the arena and stand up for what they believe in? If you don’t have the intestinal fortitude to go public with your comments, why should you be viewed as anything but a coward? This vilification mentality is so often the reason why good people decide not to offer their experience and service to elective office.
I know Councilmember Kendra Stephenson and P & Z Commissioner Mike Walker, and I can assure you they have more integrity than to be a part of such mean-spirited juvenile behavior. It’s unfortunate that the trash talk against an opponent makes it appear as though the incumbent agrees with it.
Ms. Stephenson has been on the receiving end of considerable criticism during the past few months, much of it undeserved and most of it from the same type of anonymous hate-mongers who wouldn’t dare confront her directly with their bitter diatribe.
Whether you’re an elected official or running for the position, the strain on the family occurs when abusive invective is unfairly disseminated, affecting the spouses and children of the contenders.
I don’t know which of the candidates have the best ideas to improve our town, but that’s why we have campaigns and debates. The public forum is the place to have questions answered and decisions made. Let’s hope the future of Flower Mound is not decided by those too afraid to put their real names on their opinions.
Bob Weir is a long-time Flower Mound resident and former local newspaper editor.
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