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Community Corner

OPINION: Lies Are Easy to Tell

A point-counterpoint column in which City Councilwoman Laura Freese responds to a call for her retirement after one term.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This letter was written in response to . Byrnes has since decided to run for council. Freese has yet to pull nominating papers. The deadline is Friday.

Let the truth prevail, Roy Byrnes.

Roy Byrnes wrote a letter to the editor published in the two local publications. The majority of his long diatribe is simply wrong. In this rebuttal to Roy Byrnes, I want to identify just one section of his 830-word accusations as an example of his ability set aside facts, including his own statements, as a political tool.

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In his letter, he refers to the "faulty that will only obliterate our unique historic atmosphere and transform San Juan into a faux, plastic 'Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive?' " Those words are the convenient new sound bites to stir up the residents of San Juan Capistrano. But the truth is that Dr. Byrnes was in favor of the plan.

Roy Byrnes attended the April 3, 2012 meeting on the downtown plan and these are the exact words that he said into the microphone, for the public record:

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Two years ago I had some doubts regarding this plan with innocuous desuetude. I’ve become a Christian believer. I’m impressed. I congratulate you. I urge you to pass this plan. 

So what has changed since April 3? It is election time, and printed lies are effective, convenient weapons. Roy Byrnes, just like the rest of his group, does not care if he tells lies, as long as it frightens the people of San Juan Capistrano into voting their way. Lies are the oldest political weapon on earth. It is well worth it for the residents of the city to do the research and find out what is true and what isn’t.  

Freese is a current member of the San Juan Capistrano City Council.

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