Originally posted at 10:30 PM Wednesday.In what turned out to be a standing room only crowd tonight, (even after they added additional chairs) the panelists were only able to ask two questions. I was 4th in line to ask and because things were moving so slow, I wasn't sure I'd be able to ask a second question.
That being said, I said, "Mr. Ruark, We all know you encountered some personal problems during this last term. Why should the voters of Wicomico County be willing to overlook those and elect you to a seventh term?"
Look Folks, there's absolutely no question in my mind that this is a question in which I felt the majority of citizens would like to ask but are too afraid to ask. Is it a tough question, absolutely. However, it is a very fair question.
I'll save Davis Ruark's answer for tomorrow but if you were there you are welcome to chime in. The question brought out several people who raised their voices saying, that's not fair. Or NO! I will say this. Davis Ruark welcomed the question and answered it head on. Everyone I spoke to said he did a fantastic job addressing it.
19 comments:
He earned my respect when he gave me his and he didnt have to, thats man stuff.
Ohmy goodness Joe did you just see how WMDT showed a video of a girl throwing puppies into a river?!?! That is completely irresponsible.
Great question. How did he spin it?
I was there and at first thought it was totally inapropriate. After hearing Davis's answer I wondered if it was a set up. We all wanted to hear the answer and well Davis, in my mind gained ground with his composure and answer. Although he may not have gained my vote he regained my respect. Watched 16 & 47 tonight for their coverage on the hottest race debate and.....NOTHING.
Great to see a packed house tonight.
Davis was head and shoulders above the other two candidates, Mitchell and Maciarello. He addressed all questions directly and head on without hesitation. His answer to that question was amazing. His wife was there, and his beautiful daughter came in after getting out of her church youth group. Best of all, Davis's staff - most of whom were in attendance - gave him a standing ovataion at the end. To quote my friend, "Davis smoked ?em!"
you're right. it's a topic that needed to be addressed publically. i wasn't there but i'm looking forward to the answer
that's the problem today; too many people are afraid to ask these types of questions. this is part of the reason we have poor leadership across the board; from dog catcher to president.
again; thanks for asking......
Back when Davis Ruark was charged with his DWI and illeagle carry violation I remember thinking about all the things that my brother-in-law went through in the 1980's while trying to procecute criminals in New Jersey. Threats were non-stop and not only to him but to his wife and children. There was little need to write down his new unlisted phone number because it constantly changed due to the late night calls telling him the names of his children, what school that each went to, the time that his wife dropped each one off and when she picked them up and that if he didn't do as the caller told him they were were going to kill any or all of his family anytime they felt like it, and then they would kill him too. State police had to guard his house 24 hours a day many times and escort his family to and from everywhere they went. None of this was ever divulged to the media, they just lived with it. This was the every day life of being a county procecuter, just like Davis Ruark probably lives at times. I know for certain that it would drive me back to drinking (alot), and illegally carring a gun when I'm threatened?? You bet your ass I would, probably two of them. I refuse to rag on anyone doing something that I would do or have done in similar situations.People make mistakes in life and thats how we all learn. FredG
That's a tough question???? No it is not. Ruark can be forgiven for making a mistake. He cannot be forgiven for misusing the power of his office to soften the result of that mistake. This is however in the pas and is best left forgotten. A tougher, better and more timely question would be. Why is crime so out of hand and your office seems powerless to detail any solution? That is a much more pressing matter for the community that he is suppose to be serving than his own public drunkeness.
I wish someone would have asked Davis Ruark why he was insisting Sam Vincent turn in his resignation. The DWI was his personal life, it would be interesting to know why he conducts his professional life the way he does sometimes.
Of course it was a set up--he knew you were going to ask it.
Let me clear the air on this matter once and for all.
If anyone thinks Ruark wasn't going to be asked this question, well, you'd be nuts.
Davis had to know ONE of us was going to ask it. I was just the only one with the nerve enough to do so.
Now, if YOU were in Davis' position, wouldn't YOU have prepared for that question coming up? The answer is obvious.
He handled it beautifully and if that upsets ANYONE, then get a life. I personally was very7 proud of Davis last night. It was NOT an easy question to ask but again, I gfelt it was the most important question the man could possibly face right now and it needed to get out of the way. I strongly recommend everyone watch PAC 14 for his exact answer.
Joe, we don't get PAC 14. Can you please fill us in?
Robinson, find another Site to publish your personal attack comments on. They will not fly here.
I will not vote for Davis Ruark but not because of this question.
He has answered that qustion over and over and it was obvious. In my opinion, Mr. Ruark has done a good job for the citizens, however the way he handled the Sam Vincent issue is unexcusable. I can forgive him of the DWI arrest and hope the best for him and his family.
I think you should have asked the question. Let me tell you, I haven't forgotten what he did. As a public servant we have every right to hold him to higher standards by abiding by the law. Certainly everyone makes mistakes in life and we forgive and move forward; however, the issue should have been addressed. As far as any questions with regard to Sam Vincent, I do not think that should be addressed. I think it would be disrespectful to ask any questions about Sam. Ruark has my vote as he is the strongest candidate running for the office. So far I am very impressed with his handling of Sarah Foxwell's murder.
Someone above stated it is the past which is true, however the past lays the road to the future. Not to say Ruark would do it again or even he he wouldn't but there has to be accountability for ones own actions. The reason is because when one sees someone getting off or receiving a slap on the wrist for breaking the law and endangering lives those watching feel they can do it too.
I feel anyone that is in the public eye should be held to a higher standard because they are the ones the public mimics. I do not know the situation in full detail and honestly it isn't my place to be involved in his personal life. On the flip side though he has a responsibility to the public he serves to do what is right, admit when he is wrong, and strive to do improve himself for the well being of not only himself but for the public as a whole.
Davis had a long run, but over the last decade, crime has risen tremendously. I don't give one iotta about the DWI. I do care about crime and the saftey of my community.
Also, the way he treated Sam was terrible and that says something about his character.
Mardela, business is business and personal is personal. Some, (like you) cannot separate the two.
While Davis and Sam were friends for many years, Davis went to Sam NUMEROUS times and asked him to step down while he was running for Office and Sam refused to do so. The tension in the office was extremely distracting and that's NOT how you run an Office professionally.
Davis, (while the timing was unfortunate) made a professional judgment call that backfired only because of Sam's death.
Any professional business person would have made the same choice. I supported his decision to do so and still do today. Because I know how to separate business from personal and there's the difference.
I respect your opinion but I will flat out say, you're wrong.
I absolutely can seperate personal from business...that's how I always have lived my life.
I already said I didn't care about the dui (personal), but I was concerned about the crime (business). My only complaint was about how he handled the situation with Sam, not that he asked for the resignation. Again, it is about character.
Why was there tension in the office? They are professionals and it shouldn't be a distraction.
My point being is that a true leader should be able to handle a challenge from within as long as it is with respect and dignity. If they can't handle that and it causes too much tension, then how will they handle other high tension situations.
I like Davis, and I think for the most part he has done a fine job. But I also think that there are others that can do the job at least as well and bring some fresh approaches to the job.
Davis has served the community well, I thank him, I applaud him, and I wish him well in the future.
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