Well said, Beach.

I do not know this girl, but I have to agree with previous posts stating nobody is perfect. Everyone has something that can be drug out and used against them. We need more people running in elections. The braoder the base (pool of candidates) the better the debate, and ultimately you will get a better candidtate. She took a risk in running. For that alone she should be commended. I hope, as she states, she has moved on. Regardless, this type of politics is what keeps you and I from seriously considering running. I point out Dr. Kevorkian's decision to run today. Do we need to point out the obvious? Is he or is he not a Dr? Is he intelligent? Will he do the job well if elected? I am not saying he will win, but he brings debate to the table. If you have ever heard him speak, he is a very intelligent man. Give Ms. O'Brien credit for running, I do! Those that cast stones...

dini-I recall a comment that was made recently on another one of the Gazette forums that probably prompted the reporter to do some public record background checks. I wish I could tell you which forum it was and the article it was attached to, but I don't have the time to search for it. I just know it was about the city council candidates and the comment was asking others if they ever considered checking the backgrounds of candidates. I am going to guess there is no "policy" regarding criminal background checks, but when someone poses the question in a public forum, you can consider it a journalist's job to report on it if they come up with information that was not "outed" before.

Can the Gazette please tell me what their policy is regarding looking into the criminal records of candidates at all levels?

The sad thing about politics at any level you will have your past looked at under a microscope. That's just what it is. It's good to see her telling the truth about those charges and not trying to run from them.

What matters is; if the voters on election day think she would best represent how they feel about city politics and be the best spokesperson for their interests.

I agree that a persons past doesn't necessarily disqualify them as a good candidate. What does matter is what she has done since her past that does qualify her. So far all her supporters are citing her past as credible experiences and learning situations that would empower her with the knowledge and experiences that would make her a good candidate for the city council. Based on some of her supporters it would seem that THEY think she should were her past arrest record as a badge of honor.

It would seem to me that one should look at the time span between convictions. It would seem that Kellys violent behavior went on for quite some time. I find it hard to believe that she was just randomly cited three times in eight years. It would seem that this illustrates a long period of misbehavior. I also find it offensive that she is playing the "troubled childhood" card. That is not an excuse, its a copout. It is basically saying that she feels she bears no responsibility for her behavior...it is someone elses fault. Oh, and as far as I am concerned...court ordered anger management does not count as counseling. I think that many of you are missing the point. She is not as qualified as the other candidates. For those of you out there that champion her cause....Tell me why I should vote for her. What experience does she bring that is relevant to the position?

You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!!!

I do personally know what her convictions are and there is no mistake these convictions are very deserved and that does not mean she has changed it means she has been smarter about it.

Kelly O'Brien seems to have a lot of support from people who know her.

I wonder what she might be able to say or do to get the people here speaking against her to at least have a listen.

I'm not an O'Brien supporter. I'm just curious about this process.

Isn't it great that so many of us have never made mistakes before?

I can't see why this is a issue. I would rather someone take office who's made a few mistakes in life, rather than someone who think they can do no wrong. Come on people grow up. No one is perfect. That goes for you people who think a person should get once chance in life.

I cannot believe anyone would think being in bar fights is normal because "it's Wisconsin..."

Do we really want the young people in Wisconsin to believe that excessive drinking and violence is tolerable because it's a "learning experience"? Give me a break!

I for one will not be casting my vote in the direction of anyone with a record of drunken violence.

sorry that i am sharing what i know...as it says in the rules of the policy agreement...TO SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW...and the next time the city of janesville wants to spend excessive amounts of money to re-vamp their break room with expensive tv's and such, dont blame kello o for not having enough money to help plow, salt, and fix all the pot holes in the city....because she is not a materialistic person, but rather she uses her common sense, and not her pocket book to get ahead...

wow...kelly obrien is fortunate to have you on her side mershcma.

"jchinder: I vote!!!! And i do know her personally and i can say i would never give her my vote!!!"

I also know her personally and she definately HAS my vote!

Just because she had three misdeamenors when she was in her 20's doesn't mean that she won't make a good council woman. She might have more insight on a variety of issues than those who have had a "sheltered" life. We do not know her circumstances or what happenned to result in those convictions. She has taken steps to improve herself which is more than what others have done. Besides, Misdeamenor convictions does not bar her from running. Good luck Kelly!

well everyones criminal record is open for the public that is why they call it public record. anyone can look it up at any time

And I vote. Every election.

jvlgurl: I don't know that I feel sure about someone alerting the Gazette, but your question would be a fair one put to the Gazette: What IS the policy, and is it applied elections-wide?

I vote!!!! And i do know her personally and i can say i would never give her my vote!!!

I vote

Doesn't really matter what anyone here thinks.
It's all up to the voters at this point.
Wonder how many here actually vote?

Kelly Obrien should not receive a break! It may have been in the past but it still should count for something!!!!!She is not qualified as far as i am concerned.

Everyone has the right to run for office. And it's our choice if we want to elect her. I would like to just know if it is the Gazette's standard MO to run background checks on candidates, etc. I smell a rat. I'm sure someone 'alerted' a staff memeber about her status.

George W Bush is an alcoholic, but he's president. Is this just another mud slinging from the Gazette? I'm going to search now how I can cancel my logon here. There's no reason to waste my time reading "news" in the Gazette anymore.

At a second look, I just regurgitated proartist's comment. Like I said, well put proartist!

well put proartist. I know plenty of strong, independent, intelligent women who would "fight for the rights" of the citizens of Janesville. This does not inherently make them qualified for a city council position--city council candidates don't fill the position just to fight for people's rights. I'm with proartist--the candidates have to convince me that they are the best candidates. The forums that I have heard Kelly participate me have not convinced me that she is the appropriate choice due to her lack of knowledge about local issues, lack of past participation in community organizations, and lack of solutions and ideas.

While I don't hold the past against this candidate, when I watched the League of Women Voter's forum on JATV, she seemed to fall short in knowledge about local issues that are important to the citizens, had little experience (if any?) working with community organizations, and didn't express any definitive ideas/solutions for the future. Convince me why she should be elected with more than simply saying she's a good person....

It is apparent that Kelly has no experience in public office. Everyone has to start somewhere but this is not the place. Janesville is a growing community with many challenges. We need to elect candidates with the appropriate background. Education and experience within the business community should be a priority. If Kelly O'Brien was seriously concerned about the citizens of Janesville she would not be running for council.

I have know Kelly O'Brien for 14 years and I can tell you first hand that she has learned from her mistakes, and would make a great city council member. She had it rough growing up-which is not an excuse for her actions, but you have to survive and this was the only way at that time she knew how to. She is a very strong, independent woman and I can guarantee you that she will fight for the rights of the people of Janesville. She is one of the smartest people I know, and that she is a great delegate for this position. Give her a chance and you will not be sorry. I am very proud to call her my friend, and do not judge her for her past, just praise her for wanting to help in creating a fair future of Janesville

lgtmrdr--my question is not so much about what qualifications does she have that would negate her past inasmuch as what qualifications does she have that qualify her to sit on a council that has high fiscal responsibility and the responsibility of hiring our next city manager? My vote is not going to be swayed about a candidate's past criminal history, but about a candidate's past experience in the public eye and experience demonstrating good judgment and decision making skills in a public position.

If your prior record didn't matter, then why do they keep records?

No Kidding. Give her a break

It is simply untrue that "everyone has a skeleton in their closet". It also should be said that Kellys so called "skeletons" involve violence and harassment. She claims that the past has shaped what she is today. How has she redeemed herself to those she has harmed? Why does she feel that she owes no explanation for her actions simply because they occcured in her 20s? Unfortunately, your past follows you. You cannot simply disregard it when it becomes a hindrance to your ambition. What other qualifications does she have that would negate a past such as this.

Who cares? So she got into some bar fights when she was in her 20's. It is Wisconsin people. It happens all the time. Sure that won't cloud her judgment on the city council.

I agree, don't hold this against her, and if Andrea Briarmoon ever makes council Kelly can kick her butt.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HAS MADE MISTAKES IN OUR LIFES AND KELLY HAS DEALT WITH HERS THROUGH COUNSELING I THINK THATS A PRETTY GOOD THING. GOOD LUCK TO KELLY HER RUN FOR CITY COUNSEL.

Kelly is totally correct in her comment that everyone has skeletons in their closet. Even some police officers have skeletons, so give Kelly a chance. Whether you agree with her views or not, what Kelly beleives in comes from her heart not what will get her to the top. Rock on, Kelly O!

Everyone deserves a chance to start over. Let's give O'Brien her chance.