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March 26, 2006
Taking on the Winners
[Cross-posted from The Pulse]
COULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN “BAKER’S DOZEN” TO THEM?
In case this story’s latest developments slipped past you, I’ll bring them up again here. Investigators are up to 12 now. Twelve names of Senate District 29 voters, that is, where the person named should not have been able to vote in the election officially won by Ophelia Ford, usually because the supposed voter was either a convicted felon or was dead. The special election was won by 13 votes. Now you see where I’m going with this?
To clear it up a little more, you should know that I don’t associate the winner of the election with the voting problems. I merely contend that with a vote that close, and with all the inconsistencies that have been exposed surrounding it, the right thing to do is to hold another one – and get the turnout a little higher this time, my dear Memphians. Don’t make me resort to the “purple thumbs” speech. Low turnout is way tempting to they that would tamper. It’s all about the margins and the ROI.
CUPP RUNNETH OVER AND OVER
The candidates for Hamilton County Sheriff are lining up in front of microphones and voters as the playoff round nears. It wasn’t known for a while whether Sheriff John Cupp would be seeking another term, so there was some initial stirring and shuffling among Republican law enforcement types. Cupp did eventually announce, but there yet remains one former chief deputy, Andy Derryberry, who will try to unseat him in the May primary.
The race among Democrats may fizzle early. Anthony Chatman is contesting his disqualification by the Election Commission; he says that he was not properly notified of a critical filing deadline. If you follow the local party’s goings-on, though, you’ll likely find that most of the activists – the ones who vote in primary elections – seem to heavily favor Billy Long, and to mostly ignore the campaigns of Chatman and Hank DeArman. I’m just saying that it might not matter in the end.
Then there is independent candidate Dave Alverson, who decided to leave the elephant herd and take on both the winners in the general election. Having an independent in the race can cause one to ponder why we elect a partisan law enforcement officer. The same could be wondered about the District Attorney and Public Defender positions. Judges, too, come to think of it. There are good arguments in both directions, but it’s worth actively considering them from time to time.
HOLDING SHUT THE CURTAINS WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT
Is it just me, or is it fascinating that the whole association of county government officials across the three great Grand Divisions of our state anxiously oppose an “expansion” of the open meetings law and some modest enforcement measures for it? I wouldn’t mind hearing from people inside and outside the government as to what the problem really is. The people’s business loses its very definition when conducted in secret. When none else knows of it, it’s just a few people’s business. That’s something different altogether.
Local elected officials, can we try playing along, then? For example, instead of having a working lunch, just eat lunch. Relax, clear the head, watch something pretty. Those afternoon committee meetings will gain productivity. You’ll sound better on the record.
Pulsations | By joe lance | 09:34 AM