ABSTRACT
One characteristic of political leadership picked out as most desirable in Meifa was being bold and strong. In Shiding it was being daring and resolute (poli). Wei Liangdao, the current head of Shiding xiang, was said by Blacksmith Ye to lack this quality. Shiding landowners had been paid a price for land to make way for a new freeway route between Taipei and Ilan lower than the price paid to landowners in the neighbouring township of Pinglin. Tunnelling for the same freeway had polluted Shiding’s drinking water supply. In neither case could he rely on Wei to lead protest. The alternative was the young DPP Shiding assemblyman, Lin Zhongxin. He did have poli and had promised to bring these matters to the attention of a national legislator in the DPP. He could do this not just because of his willingness to stand out and be resolute, but also because the DPP national legislator was a sworn brother. His representations and connection had already been effective. Officials had come to inspect the tunnelling works, and the water was already cleaner (interview with Lin Zhongxin, 25 April 1995).
