Election chatter
by M. Stewart
I hope everyone is reading the election stories in the newspapers and paying attention to comments on public Web sites. Local elections often are not easy to decide because voters typically have to make decisions with very little information.
Clearly the most hotly contested race in the South County region is for Wellsville mayor, but there are others that are just as important. Let’s look at a few.
Everyone knows I support the re-election of Mayor Jim Swoger in East Liverpool. Jim’s devotion to our city cannot be questioned. He is perhaps the most honest and above-board politician I’ve ever known, and he’s never been afraid to make difficult—even unpopular—decisions. He does what he thinks is right, regardless of the political cost. I like that.
Swoger has been active in removing dilapidated buildings and homes in the city, and I am one who applauds that effort. Under his management, the city has razed five abandoned homes in our neighborhood alone, which has made our little corner of the world an immensely better place to live.
As I’ve stated many times before, I’ve never had a problem working with East Liverpool City Hall either as a citizen or journalist. The mayor and his staff provide assistance to residents in a friendly, professional manner at all times, and I remain not only satisfied, but extremely impressed with how our town in governed.
I read the Review story today on law director candidates John Drumm and Charles Payne. I am not acquainted with Mr. Drumm, and although I have spoken with Mr. Payne a few times, I cannot say I know him.
I do wish the challenger would have given us more information in the Review story about why he thinks Payne needs replaced. When both candidates are qualified and the challenger cannot isolate problems with the incumbent, the challenge isn’t easy. Personally, I’m going to talk to more people before I make my decision on this one. I’m going to need a reason not to vote for the incumbent.
The MRDD levy is going to be hotly contested, especially since county voters approved a levy for the organization earlier this year. Jeff Diddle, president of the Robert Bycroft Education Association, left a well-written comment here yesterday in support of the 2.5-mill levy. His comment was a response to my negative post on the issue, which was a reaction to what I perceived as an idle threat from Bycroft Superintendent Bill Devon.
I’m not convinced by Devon’s do-or-die characterization of the issue. I do not believe at all that Bycroft will close its doors if we do not support this new levy. On the contrary, I think Devon will be forced to manage the operation more efficiently.
One argument I will not accept is the all-too-convenient emotional appeal. Everyone wants to help those with disadvantages, but this isn’t about the kids. They will be taken care of. What it is about is whether the perfectly normal people who manage the school can manage our money efficiently. Quite simply, I want to give Bycroft officials a chance to do just that, so I’ll vote “no” this time around.
I’ll revise my comment from yesterday: How about we don’t pay now and see if Mr. Devon’s dire predictions are valid? Depending on what happens, we’ll take another look at the situation down the road.
I hope everyone is reading the election stories in the newspapers and paying attention to comments on public Web sites. Local elections often are not easy to decide because voters typically have to make decisions with very little information.
Clearly the most hotly contested race in the South County region is for Wellsville mayor, but there are others that are just as important. Let’s look at a few.
Everyone knows I support the re-election of Mayor Jim Swoger in East Liverpool. Jim’s devotion to our city cannot be questioned. He is perhaps the most honest and above-board politician I’ve ever known, and he’s never been afraid to make difficult—even unpopular—decisions. He does what he thinks is right, regardless of the political cost. I like that.
Swoger has been active in removing dilapidated buildings and homes in the city, and I am one who applauds that effort. Under his management, the city has razed five abandoned homes in our neighborhood alone, which has made our little corner of the world an immensely better place to live.
As I’ve stated many times before, I’ve never had a problem working with East Liverpool City Hall either as a citizen or journalist. The mayor and his staff provide assistance to residents in a friendly, professional manner at all times, and I remain not only satisfied, but extremely impressed with how our town in governed.
I read the Review story today on law director candidates John Drumm and Charles Payne. I am not acquainted with Mr. Drumm, and although I have spoken with Mr. Payne a few times, I cannot say I know him.
I do wish the challenger would have given us more information in the Review story about why he thinks Payne needs replaced. When both candidates are qualified and the challenger cannot isolate problems with the incumbent, the challenge isn’t easy. Personally, I’m going to talk to more people before I make my decision on this one. I’m going to need a reason not to vote for the incumbent.
The MRDD levy is going to be hotly contested, especially since county voters approved a levy for the organization earlier this year. Jeff Diddle, president of the Robert Bycroft Education Association, left a well-written comment here yesterday in support of the 2.5-mill levy. His comment was a response to my negative post on the issue, which was a reaction to what I perceived as an idle threat from Bycroft Superintendent Bill Devon.
I’m not convinced by Devon’s do-or-die characterization of the issue. I do not believe at all that Bycroft will close its doors if we do not support this new levy. On the contrary, I think Devon will be forced to manage the operation more efficiently.
One argument I will not accept is the all-too-convenient emotional appeal. Everyone wants to help those with disadvantages, but this isn’t about the kids. They will be taken care of. What it is about is whether the perfectly normal people who manage the school can manage our money efficiently. Quite simply, I want to give Bycroft officials a chance to do just that, so I’ll vote “no” this time around.
I’ll revise my comment from yesterday: How about we don’t pay now and see if Mr. Devon’s dire predictions are valid? Depending on what happens, we’ll take another look at the situation down the road.
posted by M. | 8:37 AM
13 Comments:
I have often wondered, but now I know for sure. YOUR NUTS!!!
Matt, I know you probably think that swoger comment came from me, but it didn't... HAHA... Although I do agree, I always post under my own screen name. I can't say that I think Jim is dishonest, but I also can't say that I think he has any kind of vision for what he wants for the city. I've been to city hall, like yourself, many times to discuss things with him and he truly just hasn't a clue. He is constantly in a "keep our head above water," mentality. He hasn't a plan nor a clue of how to make things better. His business friendly approach he ran on last time wouldn't get him re-elected if he had anyone running againgst him. Luckily for him, both his write in opponents are a few chromosomes short of an actual human. He will get re-elected, but certainly not because he deserves it. The city businesses continue to leave and the town continues to get worse. The business "sector," police, and fire are in shambles and he has no plan to help the city with a tax base in order to improve things.
I assume the fact that you are a a laid off city firefighter has something to do with your stance, but to call Bob Griffin (a VOLUNTEER fireman) and Ginny Hanlon (city councilman and mother of a city police officer) "a few chromosomes short of a real human" is beyond childish and unprofessional.
Could it have anything to do with their status as a non-paid fireman and a policeman's mom?
How childish can you get?
(And I don't even totally disagree with your assessment of the mayor)
Ah say it aint so. And all this time I thought things were just peachy like stewart says. Thanks MattELO, for shedding the light thru his pink glasses.
I account for my experience only. I've always been treated well at E.L. city hall as a resident and journalist, and my experience with Mayor Swoger--and truly all city officials and employees--has been positive. It would be much more interesting for me as a writer if it were not so, but it is.
I interact with people regularly who not share my views and do not approve of Mayor Swoger's methods. They know they are welcome to articulate those differences here. I, for one, like hearing the entire range of opinion.
The way I see it, any information is useful to voters. How they process it, how they use it--that's up to them.
My feelings on the city have absolutely NOTHING to do with being a laid off firefighter. For Christ's sake, that was over 4 years ago and I've moved on in my life. I think it's well documented here. I was a volunteer before I moved to the city and my brother is a volunteer in Chester. Some of my best friends are volunteers. The volunteer you refer doesn't RESIDE in the city but has rental property and is waiting to see if he can win the mayoral race before committing to the city. At least that's what I've been told, I wouldn't know because he didn't even bother campaigning in my ward, he sent him 6 year old niece with a flyer to my door and she said, "please vote for uncle, he's tired of how things are going in the city." Wow, what a great tactic that is, because I didn't get a chance to ask him any issues or if he had any plans other than sending his niece to council meeting for him. The other person you refer to is a council woman amd where I come from, before you get PROMOTED to a position like Mayor, you should do something as council person. Which she has not. And does someone being related a cop automatically mean they are a great leader for the city and should receive our vote? There isn't one person the council who deserves to be there and that goes especially for the mayor if we are going on track records. I do not need your approval or anyone else's to have the opinions I hold. They are just that, my opinions. And I also don't need Matt S. to claim what a great guy I am. You can get to know me on your own and find out, or you cast stones from the peanut gallery, either way... I could care less.
I've known Matt for years. Sometimes his passion and his mouth gets him in trouble, but you always know where you stand with him. I'll say this much for him, if my family member was sick or hurt, i'd want him there. But hey, this blog wasn't intended to be about a bashing, let's hear some comments on the EL Mayoral race and the origional post please.
oooooo, touchy, touchy. Do believe you hit a nerve...
Matt, all the talk about elections has me curious about what you and everyone else are thinking and feeling about the East Liverpool School Board elections. I am torn on my votes. I have dealt with the school board many times in the last 2 years and can honestly say I have no faith in them. I don’t feel most of them are there for the best interest of the children, it’s all about politics to them. The fighting that goes on between them makes me sick. My list of complaints is to long to list. One of the things that bother me that I recently found out is we have substitute teachers teaching our children that are unable to pass the state test to become a teacher. That is very troubling to me. If they can’t pass the test to teach why does our school board hire them to substitute? I don’t want someone teaching my child who is not qualified to teach them. One substitute teacher that I know of, who subs almost every day in our school system has taken his test 6 times and failed every time. To me as a parent who wants the best for my children that person is not qualified to teach. Shouldn’t the needs of the children come first? That leaves me with the question of will the candidates that are running be any different or will they just be more of the same? I want people running our schools that are there for our children not for their own political agenda. Any thoughts?
I'm with you Matt about waiting on the levy. I have heard that the taxpayers are going to be hit with a 6 mill levy mandated by the State for the schools to replace the monies lost by the State recalling the business tax. It is going directly to the backs of the taxpayers, but no one has said anything about that coming tax yet. And that is without voter approval. This US economy is getting ready to flop.
Snooze, snooze . . .
May I change the subject? Happy birthday, Jeffy (Mr. Deputy Sherriff)!!!!!
I know I'm early, but what the hell?
I don't believe a school district can "impose" a tax without voter approval.
There is such a thing as "unvoted mills" but I'm not really sure what that is. Perhaps that's what you mean.
IN REGARDS TO THE SIGN VADALISM
I, along with my committee, would like to assure everyone that we have had NO PART in ANY criminal activity during this campaign. We have demanded a clean campaign from the very beginning and continue to demand it. My committee and I are intelligent enough to know that this type of behavior would only make us look bad and we would NEVER condone such behavior.
Although it has been a very heated campaign, we would like to tell Mayor Surace how sorry we are for this happening. Please know that we would never resort to such behavior. We know how much hard work goes into these signs and we honestly feel bad about it. It was wrong and we hope that whoever did this is caught and punished to the fullest extent. We strongly hope that the police investigate this to the fullest, including going to ALL area ‘dollar’ type stores and other places that sell black spray paint. We deserve to know who would attempt to make us look bad as well as Mayor Surace.
David Lloyd and Committee to Elect
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