To the editor:
I am offended that Chris Whitmire, the challenger, would call Trudi Weland a “career politician.”
Trudi is a citizen legislator and has done an excellent job fighting for our conservative values both as a county commissioner and as a state legislator, the opposite of a “career politician.”
Before Trudi ran for office, she raised three children to adulthood, had a career in public health, directing Women’s, Infant and Children’s Programs, and created and worked to build a small manufacturing business and a Macintosh computer service business. While raising her children she was a school volunteer, Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout leader and was active in her church.
After doing all of the above, Trudi was drafted to run for Transylvania County commissioner and served two years. When Representative Bill Ives decided to retire, he and many supporters encouraged Trudi to run for the state house.  Trudi served 10 years as a part- time legislator in the N.C. House.
There is no equal to Trudi’s response to queries from constituents. She was our representative when we lived in Flat Rock and I could always depend on her to return my phone calls  with information I requested.
If all government officials were as honest and as forthright as Trudi Walend, our country would be in magnificent condition.
If Mr. Whitmire wants to represent us in the state house he would be well advised to convince voters of his own qualifications and not resort to untrue negative statements about a fellow Republican. Republicans, bring as many like-minded friends and neighbors as possible to the polls on May 8 and vote for Trudi Walend as our representative in Raleigh.
– Annette Koluch, Columbus