April 2012

What is important to you?

l3wis April 7, 2012 16Comments

Dr. Kermit Staggers and his wife June

I often ask myself that question. What is important to me before I vote. That is one reason why I am a registered Independent, I try to keep an open mind about politicians. I even vote for Republicans on occasion.

Dr. Kermit Staggers for instance. I do not give money to politicians, I think money is the problem, but sometimes it helps. I have given money to Kermit, twice. Once when he ran for mayor and again now that he is running for council. I’m not the monied elite, just an average Joe who wants to see all of citizens concerns addressed, not just the special interests. My money represents one special interest group. YOU! The taxpaying working class Joe who deserves a voice at city hall.

Kermit is a good man in a field of corrupt, self-interest candidates. Just look at his opponent, raising over $45,000 for a seat she doesn’t even want;

“I actually would have preferred this time that someone else be doing this . . .”

(De Knudson, KELO-TV, Feb 17th)

She claims she is running a positive campaign while Kermit is running a negative one.

Lying in your campaign material about your opponent’s voting record is VERY negative. Maybe she believes her lies? How would she know how Kermit voted anyway, she was to busy watching TV or complaining how she was tired.

Running for office so you can ‘block’ someone from being in office is the highest form of negativity and quite frankly childish playground horseplay. Knudson likes to say Kermit’s press conference yesterday was ridiculous and desperate. Let’s talk about desperation.

At the Democratic forum yesterday, Knudson talked about the Walmart zoning issue, she also commented that “She doesn’t shop at Walmart.” of course she doesn’t. She is so out of touch with what is going on with the average citizen, it makes your head spin.

Is Kermit the best choice for the At-Large council seat? YES! While I would have been thrilled to see some more people run for the seat, I think we should consider ourselves very lucky he stepped up to the plate. We can’t let this opportunity be lost, he must be elected. We need a watchdog of this mayor (who is rumored to have orchestrated this whole Knudson race).

The mayor, Knudson and other city councilors asked SEVERAL people to run against Dr. Staggers. Why did they refuse?

Several reasons were given to me (I spoke face to face with 3 prominent community leaders who were asked), here is the short list;

• They didn’t want to work with this mayor.

• They didn’t want their name attached to the new EC.

• They think the current city council environment is very TOXIC and lacks transparency.

• They think this town is ran by the Chamber, the bankers and the developers, which it is. Many potential candidates don’t want to deal with them and their strong arm tactics.

• They respect Dr. Staggers and want him to WIN!

I encourage everyone to vote, TODAY absentee or show up to the polls on Tuesday. Let’s shut down this money machine. Let’s elect someone who will ask the right questions and demand they be answered. Let’s vote for transparency and shine a little light on city hall.

VOTE FOR STAGGERS!