Dec. 1 elections: Su campaigns on his record in county commissioner race

Underscoring his hard work and accomplishments over the past four years, Taipei County Commissioner Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday urged voters to give him a second term in office in the Dec. 1 elections.

Su's challenger, Wang Chien-shien (王建火宣), meanwhile, continued to tout the joint endorsement of his candidacy by the opposition alliance.

In taking on Wang, Su is campaigning on his record. "County residents will suffer if an inexperienced candidate is awarded the commissionership on election day," Su told supporters who gathered to celebrate the opening of his Tucheng campaign office.

Su said that the county government built two parks in the neighborhood and noticeably improved traffic flow during his first term.

"The road along Tahan Creek, formerly lit-tered with garbage and discarded furniture, is now beautified with trees," the 54-year-old commissioner said. "If re-elected, I will strive to do a better job and set aside more funds for public-works projects in the area."

Stressing his grasp of local affairs, Su said he could tell what Tucheng needed most without depending on charts or scripts. "A hardworking and competent administrator like me deserves a second term," he said, adding that he has fulfilled 80 percent of the campaign promises he made four years ago.

Su also took aim at the education program envisioned by his rivals to build a school for the county's Aboriginal students that would provide free room and board. "The proposal, if put into practice, will only serve to isolate those students rather than promote their welfare," Su said. "Under current policy, no Aboriginal students in the county have to pay for their education from kindergarten to high school."

The commissioner suggested his challenger spend more time learning the facts before putting forth policy initiatives.

Wang, who has pegged his campaign as a prelude to the 2004 presidential race, again emphasized the importance of unity among the three main opposition parties: the KMT, the People First Party and the New Party.

Wang held a rally in Sanhsia last night where Environmental Protection Administration chief Hau Lun-pin (郝龍斌), Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and PFP lawmakers all lent their support to his bid.

Wang urged people to vote against the DPP incumbent if they are dissatisfied with the economy. He said there is no chance "we can defeat President Chen Shui-bian [陳水扁] in 2004" if the opposition camp fails to pool its strength in the upcoming elections.