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Thursday, September 16, 2010

A Letter To The Editor

DID RUARK’S SLAP AT SAM VINCENT RESULT IN THE MITCHELL MIRACLE?

As Seth Mitchell rolled to victory over Davis Ruark, we spent more than a moment or so thinking of the late Sam Vincent and Davis Ruark’s outrageous attempt to intimidate him from running for the State’s Attorney office. Ruark’s threatening letter was issued shortly before the tragic accident that took Sam’s life.

While many attribute Ruark’s defeat to his personal involvement, as a defendant, in the criminal justice system, it may be that letter that brought him down. In any event, Davis gets credit for defeating himself.

I wonder if that reality has been recognized by Mr. Ruark or by Mr. Mitchell?

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh the tangled webs we weave...Sam would have ran away with the election

Anonymous said...

All the people I have heard talking about it were willing to forgive and forget the drunk driving incident. The letter to Sam however, was over the top. That ruined his chances. Sam would have won, no question about it.

Anonymous said...

Not only the undated letter demanding resignation of Sam did him in, it was the letter to the staff demanding their resignation if they supported Sam. His meetings masked as staff meetings to demand support for his campaign didn't help him either. Davis lost this election on his own, with no outside interference.

Anonymous said...

It will be different in the general election -- Mr. Mitchell won't have Davis Ruark to kick around anymore.

The next State's Attorney wil be a Republican!

Anonymous said...

Let Seth Mitchell enjoy his 15 minutes of fame.

Matt M. is the man who has my vote the next time around.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely, Matt will be Wicomico State's Attorney. This was not a vote for Mitchell, it was protest vote for Ruark. All of the actions above were apart of Ruark's demise but my mine was made up at the Forum at the MAC center. Ruark's arrogance, smirks, and over confidence made me realize that this position had made a different man out of Davis Ruark, once a good boy from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. And I am so sorry about this happening.

Anonymous said...

The Mitchell victory closely resembles Ireton's victory last year when Comegys was beaten because he was Barrie's buddy. We don't always get what we want when we vote for a candidate but really are voting against the opponent.

Anonymous said...

I will say this davis may have had his flaws, however the man has a proven track record for wicomico county prosecuting cases as well as his staff. That being said it is apparent that the people wanted a change well guess what the same people wanted a change in president and look where that got them..in a big hole this political game that just took place with davis and seth is no different. davis has a winning track record, seth well go look at his record as a defense attorney its not the greatest, that being said mark my words if he just so happens to beat matt in the general which i doubt each and every defense lawyer will take their cases to trial against seth. why because they know they will have the upper hand, some may say the same about matt due to lack of experience this may be true but matt is a young up and coming lawyer and will most likely prevail in his new career, it's like everything in life you have to start some where. Not only will the citizens of wicomico county suffer from this defeat but the law enforcement will too, folks just sit back and watch..Joe you may want to save this post because I guarantee these words will be seen true in the future to come. People should have listened to Joe when he said review the canidate forums and interviews they spoke very LOUD on who had the experience.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I definately think Ruarks actions toward Sam Vincent "did him in." I hope he has learned a lesson from those actions too!

No finer man then Sam Vincent will ever hold an office in this town. I was fortunate to have know him. Justice will be Served!
EW

Mardela said...

Joe, if you look back at a previous post or comment I made before the election, I said this exactly.

I thanked Mr. Ruark for his service and said it was time for some new blood. I just pray that it's not Mr. Mitchell, but instead Matt.

Anonymous said...

Just curious, is party affiliation really an issue for some people on a position like State's attorney?

Anonymous said...

Joe, you backed Davis Ruark on this letter. If you remember your video post, you had said, "Shame on you Sam Vincent!"

Anonymous said...

At the end of the day all one has is their honor and integrity. I think Davis back slid on both. It was sad to see two people who had done so much for this county in turmoil. I feel strongly that the letter and the underhanded politics being played by Davis was paramount in his recent loss.

People can handle the act of being human. The years of wading knee deep in the evil that men do will take a toll. Davis lost his way for while and turned to vices that will dertoy any man. Alcohol and comfort or support of a women outside the home can only lead to a tradgic outcome.

I hope all can see this only made a human. The man stumbled and because of his position in life it cost far more than most. I am in no condoning or judging Davis. That is not ours to do.

Davis you were and still are one of the best prosecutors I have had the pleasure to work with. I wish you nothing but peace and harmony in your new journey. Being the State's Attorney was your job, it is not who you are. Go back to your convictions both personal and spiritual and you will find sense in all of this.

We all fall at some point in our lives. It is how you dust yourself off and walk ahead that measures you as a person. No matter how one disects this it was time for you to move on to a new challenge.


God speed and good luck in the future.



The Wicomican

Anonymous said...

All of this talk about Matt having no experience is sheer nonsense. Davis Ruark had only 2 years of practicing law under his belt before he became states attorney and look at what a fine prosecutor he became. Let Matt have that same opportunity. Seth Mitchell won't win this election even with all of Barrie Tilghmans backing. She might control some in the city but this is a county election. She carries no weight out here in the county.

Tidewaterbound said...

Davis does have a great track record, that is something no one can argue. However, I believe the votes cast were not for Mitchell but simply against Ruark both in light of the DUI and the personal attack on Sam Vincent.

There is a moral integrity we want in this position as well as a good prosecutor. Sam Vincent would have filled the bill on both and he is sadly missed.

Anonymous said...

I'm a Democrat who voted for Mitchell in the primary and will vote for Matt in the general.

Anonymous said...

10:55 AM - that's funny my friend. In all the staff meetings I attended in the past 5 years in the State's Attorney's Office , not one time did Davis' election/candidacy come up. Not ONCE. Looks like you received some information from the wrong source.

Anonymous said...

5:38 PM - were we in the same staff meetings or were you hearing what you wanted to hear? My friend.

Anonymous said...

10:55 & 5:38 - you are both older than dirt and do not work!!