The e-Lee Dispatch computer has had a major cleaning and upgrade since the hectic days before the election. The editor has had a bit of a rest after writing 190 blogs since February. Much of what is going on--like the complaint with the Board of Elections -- is moving slow and not by nature too well suited for our sometimes irreverent style of writing. Nevertheless, things are happening and look for a least one interesting development regarding Steve Thomas and another prominent politician next week. And a new poll will help round out our analysis of the election. We still suggest you use a RSS feed or subscribe by email because posts will not be made with the same frequency they were prior to the election.
Near Consensus On Fraudulent Election Report
It seems that the various groups that have their breakfasts together every morning are holding up well. Folks may have their own favorite breakfast spots but the speculation is nearly unanimous at all of them on at least one of the individuals who took the election form out to Steve Thomas to sign. In fact the consensus seems so great, it does not need to be mentioned here. Just go order some bacon and eggs.
Clerk Selection Being Discussed in Whispers
In recent days the conversation has turned to the announcement by Superior Court Judge Frank Lanier Tuesday that he had appointed Susie Thomas, an 18-year veteran of the office, to succeed Lee County Clerk of Superior Court Ann Blakely who has announced her plans to retire January 1. The issue seems to be that Larnier announced Thomas's appointment very quickly after learning that the Lee County Bar planned to strongly endorse someone else for the vacancy. It is doubtful, however, that a lot about this will reach these pages. Some attorneys are apparently miffed, but all of them are being very careful in their comments. Not much more will be learned here.
Herald's Coverage of Superintendent Selection Process Causing Some To Rant
Members of the Board of Education have been upset this week with the Sanford Herald's Saturday November 15 headline on the selection of five finalists for the position of school superintendent.
The headline was completely at odds with the opening paragraph of the story and apparently has led to some public misunderstanding of the selection process. The opening paragraph of the story says
The Lee County Schools superintendent search committee has whittled the field down to five finalists who will vie for the position through public forums and interviews in the coming weeks.
The same kind of confusion was evident in that day's editorial:
If we had one complaint, it's that we would have hoped for a more diverse final five. The candidates (four men, one woman, all white), we are sure, are those the School Board feel are most qualified for the job. A more diverse final field, however, may have attracted more interest from the area's growing minority community.
The headline and editorial comment left board members concerned that the process had not been understood by the paper and, in turn, by the people. Since it was the selection committee, not the school board, picked the five concerns about diversity of the applicants should have been more clearly directed at the selection committee and not the School Board.
New Herald Poll Directed At Kelly
The poll on the Herald's Web Page has changed from choices for chairman of the board of commissioners to what should Jamie Kelly do. The chairmanship poll was promoted here on the blog and the numbers changed steadily in the direction of Richard Hayes and away from the other three choices until Hayes had a majority and Kelly 17%. This poll is directed at Kelly: How should Lee County Commissioner Jamie Kelly react to the investigation into the "No Hincks" election signs, and the documentation accompanying those signs? The choices are "No Reaction: Kelly was within his rights" or "Resign until he's cleared." The question reflects the editorial position of the Herald.The latter choice is running about 80% but the problem is that Kelly does not have that choice. He either resigns or he doesn't. We aren't told what the number of respondents are although the steady change in the chairmanship question suggests a higher level of participation than is perhaps normal. Kelly was certainly within his rights to order the signs attacking Hincks as long as he reported the expenditure. Now he is caught up in a perjury investigation with no certain outcome. Folks would no doubt like to see the matter brought to a resolution regardless of their opinion of Kelly, and there was discussion among some people this week of going further than the poll and start a petition drive for his resignation. Locally the issue isn't going away, but the best course of action is to let the process work itself out. Politically, the question that actually haunts me most was why and how did we get to this point when Kelly's buying of the signs was perfectly legal? Not only that.They were a very clever political ploy--one of the best I have seen.
Lee GOP Gearing Up For Convention Fight
Supporters of Richard Littiken and Chad Adams are gearing up for a challenge to their version of GOP politics and begun a series of attacks on likely opponents with an election analysis finding fault with all the campaigns except Andre Knecht who finished dead last in order for Larry "Doc" Oldham to win and Linda Shook who was defeated by this blog. The tactics are similar to those used previously against John Sauls. The issue of leadership of the Republican Party is no longer one that should be based on personality and ego. As a result, our sister blog, The e-Lee Dispatch Plus, (click here) has begun publishing a series of columns representing the diversity of thought about what it means to be a Republican. Many will be glad to see Ann Coulter's back after her exile for not being politically correct. Links to other columnists are in the latest post. Others with a variety of viewpoints will be published as time permits. The convention will be in March. To participate disaffect Republicans who have changed their registrations will need to change back to Republican by January 31..
Favorite Restaurant Closes
The River Lodge Restaurant has closed due mostly to a dispute between the two brothers, one who operated the River Lodge and the other, Davidson's in its new location. Of course, fewer people are eating out these days and that may have had some effect. According to The Rasmussen Reports seventy-three percent (73%) believe the economy is in a recession and 74% say the economy is getting worse. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of adults say they’re eating out less now than they were six months ago.
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