Why Should we Bother To Vote This Year?

It's a question that I have heard a lot lately.

If you are a Democrat, the reason is simple. For the first time since 1968, the Texas Primary means something. Hillary and Obama are deadlocked and Texas could very well determine which one of them gets the Democrat nomination for President. It's true that the majority of the Democrats seeking office, are unopposed in the primary but, here in Celeste, and our end of the County, you will also get the chance to choose which one of two candidates that gets the nomination for County Commissioner. You can either vote for the incumbent or the hometown man who is opposing him.

On the Republican side of the house the Presidential race is all but over. No matter who we vote for, no matter how hard we work, Senator John McCain is going to win the Republican nomination for President. So you might think let's go and vote for the Democrat that is most beatable. SLOW DOWN, wait just a minute, there are a couple of things that you might want to think about. There are four key races on the Republican Primary Ballot:

1) US Congressman - There are five candidates in this race. Congressman Ralph Hall (http://www.ralphhallcongressman.com/ ) is running for re-election. He has four opponents- Gene Christensen of Celina (http://www.geneforcongress.com/), Mayor Kathy Seei of Frisco (http://kathyseei.com/), Kevin George of Celina (http://kevingeorgeforcongress.org/home.htm) and Joshua Kowert of Sherman (http://www.kowertforcongress.com/). Take some time and check out their web sites, read their positions on the issues and make up your own mind.

2) County Sheriff - There are three candidates in this race. Deputy Chief Robert White, Richard Hill and Constable Randy Meeks. Any of these three men would make a decent Sheriff. However, due to the problems that currently plague the Sheriff's Office we need more than just a Decent Sheriff. We need a Sheriff that will rebuild the morale of the Troopers and rebuild the credibility of the office. In my opinion, we also need to make a complete break with the current administration and the scandals that have plagued our County Government. For that reason, I will be voting for Randy Meeks and urge you to do the same.

3) County Commissioner - There are four candidates in this race. Greenville City Councilman, Chris Bracken, Richard Phillips of Celeste, Mike Pierce of Celeste and Bill Sherman. Richard Phillips and Mike Pierce are both locals and we all know them very well. I feel the need to be honest with you at this point, I am friends with two of the candidates in this race, and next door neighbor with another. I honestly believe that three of these men would do a good job as County Commissioner. What we need is a County Commissioner that knows how to work with the County Government and with Business. We need a County Commissioner that will help us to move into the 21st Century and prepare Hunt County for the influx of people escaping from Dallas. For that reason I will be voting for Chris Bracken and urge you to do the same.

4) County District Attorney - There are two candidates in this race. Noble (Nobie) Walker of Greenville and Scott Cornaud of Quinlan. We need a DA that has experience CONVICTING criminals not getting them off. For that reason I will be voting for Noble Walker and urge you to do the same.