Dear Editor:
I have watched this election year with more interest than usual. Locally, statewide and nationally have all been quite full of surprises. Of course with every election comes the mud slinging and rumors. It wasn’t until I ran into an old friend and started discussing the current candidate pool that I realized that elections are not held as important to some others as they are to me. I started doing my own little surveys and remembering reasons I have been given as to why candidates are getting votes. The following are some of the reasons I have been given – some are funny on the face of it, but in the end, to me, very disturbing. One individual votes based on who the candidate’s grandparent was – let alone the fact that they don’t know the job; one woman planned on voting for a man whose voice was deep and sexy – I almost lost my cookies. One guy that I was speaking with was basing his vote entirely on party affiliation, not who was the best candidate, not who believed the same as he did – party only. (Sort of keeps having to do homework to a minimum.) I particularly liked the woman that called a candidate “a nut” as she professed her unwaivering commitment to not voting for him. When I asked how long she had known the candidate, guess what, she had never met him, but made her decision based on rumors.
I try to listen to what people have to say and then try to see where their views align with mine, but if I know them and their job performance I will gladly tell what I know. Instances are as follows:
1. Mike Burke knows that office and job as assessor. I ask people to look at the qualifications of the candidates and vote for who is best for our County. Decisions concerning your property taxes are made in this office. He is someone who not only knows the laws, but he has the knowledge base to deal with the leaders in Charleston.
2. Steve Malcolm proved to me in his previous term as a County Commissioner, that he was a representative for the people. I needed assistance with a couple of problems that he was more than happy to help with. I could usually find him at the courthouse, which in itself was unheard of, but I could call him and he actually answered his phone. He didn’t hide behind voice mail or e-mail and I certainly didn’t have to sign in and tell him what I wanted to talk about so that he could give me some freshly researched answer. I have called others who didn’t have the decency to return my calls.
3. I have worked with Jennifer Dent and Judge Richardson, when he was an attorney. Both individuals showed great leadership and common sense under some pretty intense situations.
Actually I could go on about most of the candidates but space is limited. What I really want to get across in this letter is that every vote matters because these people are going to be making decisions that effect our lives. I pray that people will start looking at the candidates and listening to what they have to say, look at who shares your beliefs and your own morals and then decide who you think would serve YOU best. Mud slinging, rumors and tone of voice, in my opinion, are not constructive reasons for voting for or against an individual; whereas experience, education, leadership and knowledge of the job are perfect reasons …
Renae Cutlip-Livesay
Ronceverte