Letter to the editor

Boland is a true leader

Rep. Paul Ryan of Janesville, age 42, has served the 1st District of Wisconsin since 1999. He rose quickly through the congressional ranks and is now the chairman of the House Committee on the Budget. He was chosen to give the Republican response to the State of the Union address in 2011. He is best known for the Ryan Budget Plan (passed by the House in March) and is now a candidate for the vice presidency.

In contrast, Rep. Ron Kind of LaCrosse, age 49, has served the 3rd District of Wis. since 1997. He is best known for faithfully attending every community parade in his district. Voters of the 3rd District have a unique opportunity in November to fill a serious leadership vacuum by electing Ray Boland. Colonel Boland served two tours of combat duty in Vietnam during his 30 years of active duty in the U.S. Army. He was a Battalion Commander, a Brigade Commander and the Garrison Commander at Fort McCoy.

Ray Boland has been a public school teacher, a member of the Wisconsin State Workforce Investment Council, the chairman of the Wisconsin State Education Approval Board, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the president of the National Assoc. of State Directors of Veteran Affairs and a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging.

Rep. Kind has spent half his career as a practicing attorney and half as a practicing politician. Colonel Boland has spent his entire career as a soldier, statesman and public servant. The choice could not be more clear. We need a proven leader as our representative in the 3rd District. Ray Boland is that man.

Dorothy Westermann
Eau Claire, Wis.