IS IT TRUE: August 27, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the names of two unopposed candidates for the Evansville City Council will not even be on the ballot in the 2011 election?…that 1st Ward City Councilman Dan McGinn is running unopposed and with therefore not have his name on the ballot?…that 4th Ward City Councilwoman Connie Robinson will not have her name on the ballot either?…that candidates for office in the State of Indiana are prohibited by law from having their names on the ballot?…that our esteemed Vanderburgh County Clerk Susan Kirk and the election board checked this out very intently and were advised that under Indiana codes IC 3-14-4-3 and IC 5-8-1-35 that they could all face Class D felony charges if they placed the names of unopposed candidates on the ballot?…that we guess that supporters of Councilman McGinn and Councilwoman Robinson will need to take a pen to the polls with them so they can write in their name?…that the City County Observer encourages the people of the 1st and 4th Wards to make a special effort to vote in the at-large, City Clerk, and Mayoral elections?
IS IT TRUE that there are finally beginning to be a large number of fundraisers organized by the local candidates for office?…that some of the more eager candidates have been raising funds for a month now but that the lion’s share of the money will roll in during the next two months?…that the issues for the candidates for Mayor of Evansville are taking shape but that attention is just beginning to be paid to the City Council issues of importance?…that two of the most important outcomes of the election will be the ideological make-up and party affiliations of the new City Council?…that if the Evansville City Council is indeed balanced to begin 2012 that it will be the first time in most people’s lives that this has been the case?…that it will be refreshing if we have a City Council that does not have a rubber stamp majority for our future Mayor?…that the CCO really desires to retire the words puppetmaster and blockheads from discussions regarding the Evansville City Council after January 1, 2012?…that we always reserve the right to bring these words out of retirement if back door meetings and groupthink take over the City of Evansville again?
IS IT TRUE that high school football is now in full swing and that if any of our readers are looking for an enjoyable Friday evening at a good price that high school football is one of the best values around?…that the only football playing high schools in all of Indiana that do not have their own stadiums are both in Evansville?…that in the next couple of weeks both Harrison and North will be opening their new stadiums?…that from an outside perspective both of these stadiums have a very good look about them?…that those seats need to be filled so get out and support your team?…that if you do not have a team then please find one?
IS IT TRUE that we are saddened to see that the Black Buggy restaurant in Washington, IN has become the latest casualty of the Great Recession?…that all indications are that the Evansville Black Buggy is completely independent of the flagship in Washington?…that we hope things are good with the Evansville Black Buggy since the City of Evansville has made a loan to them and it would be quite favorable if that loan is repaid so some other expanding business can use borrow those funds in the future?
I do not agree with the Indiana General Assembly’s actions on this issue. It is poor statute and should be withdrawn.
The public has a right to see the candidates names on the ballot regardless of the status of their opposition.
I will go a step further and say that their names should be on the ballot ESPECIALLY if they are running unopposed!
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Press, good post, particularly your last sentence. There are so few people willing to run for public office and serve, it seems disrespectful not to show them on the ballet when unopposed. Is it believed to be an added expense (for an electronic ballot)? I’m positive we could get the protons to work for free, (the electrons are so negative I won’t even bother to ask).
Great and humorous post! LOL. Too bad the thick as bricks legislators who concocted this law don’t have the IQ to comprehend your witty humor.
The protons and electrons are on strike because they are not being paid enough bosons, leptons, and quarks. The law however was written by bozos with quirks.
A neutron walked into a bar. The bartender said “what will you have” ? The neutron said “A beer. What do I owe you?” ” No charge” said the bartender.
This new state law regarding unopposed candidates for office not having their names placed on the general election ballot is about the dumbest thing ever!
In many instances, the ONLY time a citizen ever sees or has the opportunity to learn the name of the person who holds those lower profile elected offices is when the name appears on the ballot. Now, there will be an even larger majority of citizens who have absolutely no idea who holds certain elected offices, or even that there are elected officials serving in certain capacities at all.
Next step, I suppose, is for these really dumb ass legislators to outlaw the inclusion of unopposed candidates ON THE PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT?!
Dumb. Dumb. And dumber.
And to the editor: How do you propose a voter pencil in the name of a candidate on an electronic ballot that only appears on a computer screen? Should I add another dumb to my list, or are you proposing that everyone in the 1st and 4th wards demand a paper ballot? If you intend to start a serious movement in that regard, you better research the legality and practicality of that, and notify Susan Kirk to fund the printing, if the Election Board approves your proposal.
Frankly if Connie Robinson’s name was on the ballot I wouldn’t vote for her, in spite of the fact that she is unopposed. The real shame is that her only opposition this year was a convicted felon. Someone who is a credit to the 4th ward should have run against Robinson, if for no other reason than the time has come for her retire after being cemented in that chair for some twenty-odd years!
Has it really been that long that Connie has been diligently serving her constituents? My how time flies. She still looks so young and vibrant! And so ready and capable to serve another 20 years.
Don’t be to quick to refer to the Black Buggy as a victim of economic conditions.
http://washtimesherald.com/local/x531751922/Black-Buggy-suddenly-closes-door
There is evidence that the owners were not remitting payroll and sales tax. Owners of a business will often destroy the business themselves and then blame the economy for their misfortune. Blame it on greed, poor judgment or igmorance. But don’t give these owners a pass until all is known.
Agree but when receipts are down due to the economy many owners do something stupid like not paying Uncle Sam for survival rather than greed. This business had been there for many years supposedly doing well. Maybe they did not have the skills to deal with the contraction. It is hard to deal with revenue shortfalls for capital intensive businesses. We won’t give them a pass if you won’t hang them without a trial.
Your “editorial” all but gave them a pass. I cited evidence to support misappropriation and to wait until all is known about this situation. I won’t hang them without a trial, they may have given themselves enough rope to do that well enough.
Having read your link I would have to agree that the future is not bright for the folks profiled in the Washington paper. I have eaten there and liked it though.
Another reason for having an unopposed candidate on the ballot is so voters can express their dissatisfaction by NOT voting for that candidate. Having an UNDER vote, or much lower number than candidates for other offices can indicate voters do not want this person in office. It is embarrassing, at the least.
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