you should have been there

I, along with about 75 to 100, out of thousands, attended the “Meet the Candidates” event at the Seymour Middle School Wednesday evening.

A large part was very disappointing.

Not because we heard from all of the candidates, but because of the anemic public attendance.

The SMS sent home a color flyer notifying all the parents, about 1600, of the event. It was announced in the Seymour Herald and other publications in the area.

It’s true many attend church Wednesday evenings and I’m hoping that’s the reason for apparent lack of interest.

In my opinion, each of the local churches should have directed their Wednesday evening congregation to the event. In that way, the congregations would still be together and at the same time have an excellent opportunity for those that vote, to know exactly who they are voting for for Sheriff.

It’s simple. There are 52 opportunities each year to meet Wednesday evenings. This one Wednesday night would, in my opinion should have been spent at the event.

At the event, six sheriff candidates basically presented their resume.

Had you been there, you would have heard the candidates present their ideas, their emotions and their intentions on how best to operate the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department, in their own voices.

Many of the various candidate supporters have, for months informed their friends, relatives and to those that would listen how great their candidate was.

But to hear and see the candidate right there in front of you, cannot be compared.

You could tell if the candidate’s conviction was sincere. Plus you get a clear picture of what each one wanted you to know.

A direct and instant comparison of the candidates.

One candidate suggested that you open his closet and see if you can find any skeletons.

Not a good move, in my opinion.

Some might actually do it and with the way rumors fly around Sevier County, they might create some skeletons, even if there might not be any.

One of the candidates just stood at the podium and read a script with no apparent emotion. It was obvious they were not comfortable at public speaking.

Another paced back and forth searching for the right words to convince the audience they were the best for the job.

And another gave a well rehearsed and impassioned speech as to why we should vote for him.

Yet another had a stellar history and record.

Which one to choose, that’s the problem.

Had you been there, the choice becomes very simple.

I am disgusted at the public turnout at elections. I believe it’s because people feel their vote doesn’t count. Not this it doesn’t count, but they feel it doesn’t matter who gets into office, the will of the people is not heard or acted upon.

An example is the huge controversy that has been ongoing at North Knob Creek, where the County Commissioners refuse to listen to the people.

But that’s another editorial.

I urge everyone to get out and vote February 5^th. You have to start somewhere to correct what you think is wrong.

If you were a public servant, ie an elected official, and noticed that a small fraction of the population ever showed up at any political events, you would start acting the same way.

Even though we all have our lives to live and expect the elected officials to perform their jobs as they said they would, it’s up to us to verify that they are.

Trust but verify, that’s what I have learned to do.

May the BEST man or woman, win, according to the wishes of the people.

For those that didn’t make the event and have internet connection. You will be able to see and hear the candidates on the www.seymourherald.com website.

Aren’t you glad you have a community paper this is leading the way.