Lynch Pen: Time to focus on local races

We have survived the presidential and vice-presidential candidate debates and hopefully we can now concentrate on local issues.

As mentioned previously, our state is considered a “red state” or one that is supposedly overwhelmingly Republican. We can look at that in several ways. If one wants to vote for the “other parties’” (Green, Libertarian) candidate, one probably can do it safely since most serious main party (Democrat or Republican) supporters will vote for their party’s candidate. We are so taken for granted that neither political party could draw their candidate to our state for the purpose of seeking votes - money maybe, but not serious voter swaying.

The state party heads had the responsibility for providing campaign literature, if I understand it correctly.

In spite of the supposed percentage of voters termed “undecided,” it is difficult for me to believe that people actually don’t know who they will support for the presidential office. It is one thing to answer a telephone poll and not want to give them specific information about your choice. Even I do that, but I do know who I support, and have known since the election debates began because it is my belief we need mature, businessminded, non-political leadership in the White House.

Getting elected because you are a great motivator and orator doesn’t set well with me. As I read my history books, a leader of Germany created havoc in Europe and his dictatorial efforts created a World War. This is not to reflect on one of our current candidates, but it is cause for me to be suspicious of anyone whose primary quality is their voice and/or speaking ability rather than their proven leadership qualities.

Because we have two Benton County candidates seeking office as Independent candidates, we have an opportunity to check our local political party loyalty in Benton County when the votes are tallied after the election. Mark Moore (I) of Pea Ridge is running for the vacant State House, District 95 seat against the wife of a Circuit Court judge who is representing the Republican Party. The previous representative, Donna Hutchinson (R) of Bella Vista, is termlimited. Since a large percent of the vote will come from Bella Vista, the Independent candidate will have to work very hard to sway the voters where Republicans usuallydo very well. Sue Scott, the Republican candidate, is a well known Rogers resident.

District 95 represents only a portion of eastern Benton County. If you have access to a computer you can get the views of the District 95 candidates by going to: http://www.arkansasvotersguide.com/, click on races and choose State House. You will obtain a brief biography of the candidates and you can read the results of the voters guide by clicking on survey at the bottom of the page. The site is courtesy of the Family Council of Little Rock and this is my first experience with them, but the content is informative.

The position of county judge is a county-wide election and as such is a challenge for anyone seeking the office as an Independent.

When one chooses to give the voters a choice in November, running as a party candidate of the party not in office is the expected means of accomplishing that purpose. It takes courage to opt for the Independent route since one must file by petition and do all one’s own fundraising. Ronnie Smith, the Independent opposing current County Judge Bob Clinard (R), has been very active and if campaign signs are any indication, he has a lot of friends who are busy making it known he is running.

Regardless of our political party choice or affiliation, we owe it to ourselves to check the qualifications of the Independent candidates. It is a lot of work to campaign, and is expensive, whether a party candidate or an independent and we gain from their participation, even if we don’t vote for them. Having an opponent may force the incumbent to meet a lot of constituents they otherwise would not see.

We also have some issues to consider before we go to the polls. Our personal views, upbringing, church relationship and personal history figure very prominently in our choices when alcohol, marijuana and gambling are presented to us for approval (or disapproval). And, one of the tax issues concerns the use of an increased state sales tax for highway construction.

We have a great deal to consider about our state and local government as well as the federal government election. Research carefully and thoroughly and vote wisely.

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Editor’s note: Leo Lynch is an award-winning columnist. He is a native of Benton County has deep roots in northwest Arkansas. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 10/31/2012