Where Have All The Good People Gone?

Let's be frank. You can't hide the fact that down to earth, good people, (locally, anyway) are nowhere to be found when it comes to Public Office Candidates.

Now I'm not saying those who are running for Office aren't good people. I'm simply saying there aren't enough of them.

One would think after all those Tea Parties and the introduction of the new AFP there would be quite a few people interested in taking a leadership roll in local government. That's just not the case.

IMHO, the Tea Parties and the AFP, (both good organizations) have simply brought out angry Americans sick and tired of the way things have been run for so many years.

Obama had no real experience, yet he's was a black candidate and Americans wanted "Change". Kratovil, another candidate with absolutely no experience in politics got elected and quite frankly with exception to a few votes, Frank has done a pretty darned good job.

So where are all the Republicans? We have serious problems and issues right here on the Eastern Shore, yet very few people have stepped up to the plate for our own kind of "Change".

If you look at Rick Pollitt's history, (or shall I say the new form of Executive government) we have seen Wicomico County's expenses go through the roof. Purchases of additional park land, a parking lot for the Civic Center, the list goes on and on. Now you can't just point a finger at Rick Pollitt, the majority of the County Council agreed to make all these changes and expenses. Are you satisfied?

Rick Pollitt doesn't seem to know how to do a budget and relies on "Old School" staff to help him through the process. Rick is a wonderful man but as I've said in the past, cuts should have started years ago but instead there has been more spending, all of which will continue to cost the taxpayers locally. Not only will these purchases cost taxpayers to improve these properties, it will also cost taxpayers to maintain them as well.

Joe Ollinger has jumped into the ring and claims to be a registered republican, yet his platform looks more like a dictator and he wants to do things that just can't be done as County Executive. I respect the fact that he's willing to give it a shot but I personally am not confident he's the kind of "Change" Wicomico County needs.

If I personally had a choice for a candidate to run for County Executive, my first choice would be Robin Holloway. Confident, straight to the point, no special interests and a no BS kind of Gal. She's the Debbie Campbell of the Board of Education. You know, 3-2 but in her case, 6-1 votes almost every time. Unfortunately Robin has no real interest in the job but boy she'd make a great County Executive.

On the City Council side of things you've got Gary Comegys seat, Terry Cohen and Louise Smith. Again, if I had my way I'd like to see two seats go to other people with interest. Louise Smith claimed she was only going to stick around for one term but my guess is, if they get some really serious competition she'll be running again.

While Comegys does have a lot of wisdom, (which I personally appreciate) his health is certainly a concern. I personally feel that having a Council that disagrees is a healthy thing. Unfortunately the debate between this Council and the former Council has not been healthy debate. It's been more personal attacks. Gary will have a difficult time keeping his seat if a good challenger comes forth.

Terry Cohen simply cannot lose her seat IF she chooses to run again. I say IF because Terry spends quite a bit of her time researching each and every item, (FOR YOU) to assure everything is Kosher. I can only imagine how frustrating it is on Terry, knowing she spent all that time on each piece of legislation and it constantly gets shot down. Besides that, Terry has great opportunities to teach and do other things that could bring in far more income than the $10,000.00 a year the City pays her. Don't be too surprised if Terry decides not to run again.

So, getting back to the main topic at hand, where are all the Good People? Who do you know who might be interested in running for Office in the City & County. Would you agree we need "Change"?

I'll close with this. Being in Public Office is a very trying job. You cannot please everyone, that's for sure. Then there's the local Blogs, (including mine) that add quite a bit of pressure. That being said, I personally feel that pressure is absolutely necessary because the MSM simply provides information they are told. I'll never forget the many times GA Harison would challenge the Daily Times by saying, you knew that was a lie, yet you printed it anyway. They'd reply, we only printed what the Mayor quoted.

While I can understand their position, the MSM, (per their own protocol) cannot provide their opinion in an article and that's the main difference between the Blogs and a Newspaper. I have had numerous conversations with the Management of the Daily Times where they openly admit, they'd love to do what I do, but they can't. I respect that and I understand where they're coming from. We're two different forms of publication.

"It's a tough job but somebody has to do it."