A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said, I feel as if I have two wolves fighting for my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, violent one, the other wolf is the loving compassionate one." The grandson asked him "which wolf will win the fight in your heart?" The grandfather answered, "The one I feed."- Black hawk

The race for District 8 council seat has been difficult and upsetting. Often times I was angered with the misleading information on the mailers sent to residents in district 8. Often times I had to force myself to starve my anger and feed the compassion within my heart.

I do not understand what would make Williams, who until now, had never publicly criticize or attack Pannell, fight so aggressively attempting to make herself look good by making Pannell look bad.

I am not sure why Williams resorted to shameful tactics to attempt to win the District 8 council seat. I am unsure why mailers had to have the words "endorse by Kevin Johnson written on them" It confuses me as to why Williams, having labored within Sacramento, did not attempt to get in office on her own merits.

I kept asking myself why would Williams feel she needs Johnson to lift her into office? I am concerned as to if Williams will feel obligated to Johnson for his role in attempting to gain the District 8 council seat for Williams.

I am glad this day has arrived and the votes will be counted and we can move forward beyond this distraction in our lives.

Prior to our 2012 District 8 council race I did not consider elections a distraction. I welcomed the day to hear of the passion and changes our candidates would offer.

Williams consistently failed to give us her vision for moving the district forward and simply criticized our current councilwoman and often in a not so truthful manner.

I could not even bring myself to writing about the most recent mailer which showed a lighter background /complexion Williams smiling so brightly with the words 'Moving Us Forward."

The reverse side of the mailer showed a darker background/ complexion Pannell without a smile with the words, 'Holding Us Back" boldly written nearby.

It was an upsetting distraction seeing the obvious attempt of psychological manipulation with the light vs. dark; inviting smile verses silly photo to manipulate us.

Williams latest mailer states, 'The old ways of doing things no longer work. I will bring new solutions...restore the services we pay for... (and) make sure your tax dollars are wisely spent". The city of Sacramento is in deficit; the mailer fails to inform us on how Williams proposes to restore our services. 

District 8 residents had to plow through so much deceit with this election.

Franklin P Adams once wrote, "Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody." It appears candidate Williams, by failing to offer us solutions, was not attempting to have us vote for her.  Williams attempted to simply yet aggressively have us vote against Pannell. 

I am hoping District 8 residents will not be swayed by the misinformation mailers and the latest psychological manipulation photos and vote for Pannell, the best candidate to represent our district.

It is sad and upsetting that Williams chose to run such a manipulative campaign. How do we move foward with Williams when she moved in deceit and manipulation?

Their were times it was extremely difficult to not feed into the anger in my heart towards Williams campaign. It was not always easy to starve the anger I felt towards Mayor Johnson for endorsing such a manipulative campaign.

But to move us forward we have to feed into the love we possess for District 8 and starve the anger of the dirty politics played by Williams that were endorsed by Mayor Johnson.

No matter who wins the election we must continue to love our District and labor to make it a better place for our children.

Thank you Councilwoman Pannell for putting your heart and soul into District 8 and I hope you win. You have my vote due to your efforts and integrity.