Can a Beautiful City Be Trusted? Zhen Chao-Fang Faces Declining Trust as Bamboo North Residents Raise Concerns

Zhen Chao-Fang, the mayor of Zhubei City and a candidate for New Taipei City mayor, has recently faced criticism over public safety, public construction, and financial flow issues. An environmental activist from Zhubei wrote to the media, revealing that while she once had high hopes for Zhen, recent controversies—including a woman's death during heavy rain, disputes over the calligraphy at the Fude Library, and ongoing financial and land-related suspicions—have changed her perspective.

In her letter titled "Zhen Chao-Fang, I Really Had High Hopes for You," the activist admitted that she had previously defended Zhen against accusations of "aesthetic politics," believing that urban beautification (such as park and library improvements) was valuable. However, she now questions whether governance should focus solely on appearances. She pointed out that during a recent heavy rainfall, a woman died in an accident, raising concerns about the city's emergency response. Additionally, the controversy over Zhen's calligraphy at the Fude Library has led to questions about the privatization of public spaces.

The most significant blow to Zhen's reputation has been the recent financial and land-related allegations. The activist initially doubted the claims, but as media reports revealed documents and specific figures (such as a 40 million NT dollar loan), she began to question the situation. While Zhen has denied the 2.6 billion NT dollar claim, the activist believes that doubts remain, including the authenticity of the documents and the source of the funds.

The activist emphasized that she does not expect political figures to be perfect, but she insists on transparency in public safety and resource allocation. She concluded that while she has not yet reached a final judgment, her trust in Zhen is indeed declining. The real challenge for politicians, she suggests, may be addressing the concerns of those who once believed in them but are now distancing themselves.