Dear Editor,

     I have attended many Lathrop City Council meetings. At most of the meetings, the members of the council, especially Mayor Kristy Sayles, state that they would like to see more citizens attend the meetings and give input. When you read in the paper that a citizen was removed just for making a statement (that many others also believe), I can now see more than ever why the attendance has dropped to almost nothing.  

     I do not care what Mayor Sayles tries to do. I will always keep her on her toes, as I will with any public official that I have information on that should be made public. I truly believe that the government should be, as stated in the words of our forefathers, “By the people, for the people”.

    In other letters before, I wrote regarding some of Mayor Sayles actions. When you try to surround yourself with those you can control, and try to silence the voice of the people who oppose your statements or view, you are in a very big way going to earn the title of dictator.

    I, for one, love living in a free society, but for some reason, Lathrop is slowly becoming just the opposite — thanks to its so-called fearless leader, who for some reason is afraid of the words of one elderly woman.

    This whole thing makes me wonder what Mayor Sayles is really scared of, what deep dark secret she is really trying to hide by sending out the message that all who dare speak against her must be silenced.

    That's OK. I know that everything will always come out in the wash. That's why I will not hide anything so that I do not have to add so much extra bleach when others ask to see my laundry.