Editor:

Recently I had to ask my self the question, “Am I the only one who thinks Brentwood is a great place to live?”

As a realtor, I am out and about in Brentwood daily. I love driving down the streets and not hitting a pothole. I see the city landscapers trimming the public streets and medians and think how nice they look. If I have a streetlight out in my neighborhood, I can call Brentwood Public Works and speak with a real person, and they come out in a day and the light is repaired.

I attend a function like the Downtown Thursdays, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and can dunk the mayor to raise money for a local charity and marvel at all the citizens of Brentwood gathered together having a great time. Sounds great to me, right?

Well, recent comments made by some, not all, of the candidates for Brentwood City Council would paint a different picture of Brentwood. Many of them think we have big problems and paint a picture of a city government out of control, schools in chaos and major crime issues, and you better watch out: we could become just like Antioch!

Look around you. Is what you see of Brentwood the picture these candidates are painting, or is it the city that we love to live in? Ask yourself, are we really Antioch? If so, are you saying to yourself, “I better start thinking about moving out of Brentwood.” I’m pretty sure that isn’t the case.

The only candidate for City Council, Councilman Chris Becnel, has been leading the way as so many of the great city leaders before him, to preserve our great quality of life we have here in Brentwood. Some of the other candidates tell you how much they love Brentwood, that they came here for the way of life and to raise their families here. I find it sad that they would say that, but throw the city of Brentwood, the great leaders that have come before and our great Brentwood way of life under the bus just to scare you into voting for them.

If they will do that to get elected, what will they do to the Brentwood Way if they are voted into office? It’s all about loyalty and character, something that Councilman Chris Becnel understands, and that is why my family and I are voting for Chris for City Council.

Remember, just look around you. Am I the only one who thinks Brentwood is a great place to live? Or do you see what I see too?

John D. Fink, Brentwood