Questions and Answers From Those Seeking Voter Support?

All the questions that were sent out to candidates for office by the newspaper more than two months ago have now been printed along with the answers given by those various candidates.

Congratulations are deserved by those answering and giving an idea where they stand on various issues. A special respect goes to those who are not opposed in their respective races but answered anyway. I believe to a large degree it shows much positivity about their relationship with the public and desire to work for them.

As impressive as are those who answered, an equal degree of disappointment is experienced as a result of those who chose to ignore the questions and thus basically snubbed their noses at the public. Many of these same people who refused to answer the questions are also the ones who were absent from other opportunities to allow the public an interaction with them.

Was it the sense of not needing the publics support; was it the arrogance of feeling they have the election in the bag; was it simply that they felt they had nothing to offer in the way of ideas? Whatever the reason the result is that voters know very little about some of the candidates and even less about their plans for the county if elected.

Most noticeable of those missing, simply because of the high office they seek, was the County Executive Mrs Vanzant. It is most disturbing that Mrs Vanzant, who is seeking re-election to the most important county governmental office on the ballot, not only did not answer any of the newspaper questions she has not stood for any questions in any other forum.

Without a responsiveness to the people can anyone honestly believe they deserve consideration of those same people to elect them to any public office? I think not.
Allen Barrett

Vanzant Supporter Vandalizing Candidates Signs?

It is now revealed that the person responsible for vandalizing political signs is a staunch supporter of Janet Vanzant. Did Mrs Vanzant know about the vandalizing? I don't know and I hope not. Did she order the signs removed? I don't know and I certainly hope not. Does this reflect negatively on Mrs Vanzant? Yes it does. While no candidate can control all the actions of their supporters one must wonder in light of comments on this blog by Vanzant supporters just what instructions, if any, she has given her supporters. One thing for certain is this reveals a very low level of leadership in the Vanzant camp.
Allen Barrett

HOW ARE THE VOTING MACHINES SECURED????

A question that comes to mind is how are voting machines used in the early voting being secured at night? With as many people having keys as I am told there seems to be a serious lack of security at the voting place.
With the tremendous impact that early voting has had on elections in recent years it would seem the utmost care should be given to securing these machines which have been proven to be so easily altered by those with minimal computer skills.
We have seen on a National level how elections are stolen when there are no paper trails and even when there are. I would certainly hate to think that an election would be altered not by the voters but by one or two people with a key and the skill to reprogram a voting machine. Allen Barrett

Attack On Freedom Of Speech Narrowly Defeated in Commission Showdown.

This morning twelve defenders of the Constitution narrowly beat back the efforts of nine arrogant self appointed censors.
All this was done under the disguise of " for the public good". In other words these nine commissioners know what's best for everyone else. Oh, it was well stated by Commissioners Terry Harwell, Tommy Campbell, Edwin Lovell, Stoney Jackson, that "we don't want to stop anyone from speaking" we just don't want to hear them.
Thank God that people like Tommy Pollard, Connie Howell, James Harwell and Judy Lavianna were able to see through this veiled attempt to subvert the people's right to speak and were willing to speak out and lead the effort to stop this abuse of power.

The County Attorney presented her version of the resolution but failed to add anything about the requirements to file a written request prior to the meeting and having that request specifically address an item on the agenda as was originally requested by Commissioner Woodard who asked that committee meetings be conducted the same as the regular commissioner meetings which are so restrictive that they prohibit all but the most convenient of speakers.
Those voting to Prevent Citizens speaking in Committee Meetings were Commissioners Flacy, Jackson, Lovell, Woodard, Holt, Brown, L. Faulkner, A. Faulkner and T. Harwell.
Twelve patriots voted "NO" on this absurd abuse of power and the measure failed much to the dissatisfaction of Mrs Vanzant whose expression could not be hidden.
Allen Barrett

What Happened At The Commission Meeting?

Why was the issue of a tax increase and wheel tax put off until the 30th of July at 11AM? 30 July at 11AM is when the next called meeting of the County Commission will meet and decide the tax rate, maybe.
Did the Keystone Cops actually invade the County Executives office and render everyone totally incompetent or was it a very clever move to prevent having to raise taxes then face the voters in early voting?
The official reason for not making the decisions or holding discussions today is that Mrs Garner the Financial Management Director had failed to put the notice in the newspaper. Wonder when Mrs Garner will tire of being thrown under the bus? The schedule and agenda for the Commission Meeting has nothing to do with Mrs Garner or the Financial Management Office but it is the total responsibility of the County EXecutive.

Saturday at noon will be the end of early voting so that means after the commission meets on Friday at 11 AM there will be less than eight hours for early voting.

Many have stated that they are waiting until after the commission votes on the tax increase and wheel tax before they vote. It seems mighty convenient that the vote and discussion was cancelled at the last minute this morning. Allen Barrett