VAN GORDON: COMPROMISE IS GOOD
Monday, May 23rd, 2011 -- 12:01 PM
A former state representative from our area thinks there?s too much animosity between the two main political parties.Pink Van Gordon served 10 years in the State Assembly back in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was a Republican, but he said one of the people he respected and inspired him to run was a Democrat?Former State Senator Marvin Roshell.
Van Gordon has been keeping an eye on state politics.
"It's questionable whether either side is handling it right," Van Gordon laments. "I think they need to be a little more serious than what they have been."
Don?t get him wrong: Van Gordon admits there?s always been partisanship, but it doesn?t have to be so personal.
"There's been an animosity we don't need. That nobody needs," he says.
When asked if compromise is important, Van Gordon is quick with a response.
"You bet it is."
At the heart of the state's political controversy is the role of public employee unions.
"I've got mixed emotions on that one. We've got to keep things sensible and straight, but there are some places where (the unions) don't act very civil. I think we're probably better off now than we were years ago. I just don't know where this is going to lead us," he says.
Van Gordon was first elected to the Assembly in 1982. He was reelected five times. He was succeeded by Robert Zukowski of Thorp.
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