Lack of coverage criticized
On Feb. 18 the Fayette County Election Bureau held a special meeting for everyone planning to run for elective office. The purpose was to help prospective candidates understand what they must do to successfully meet the criteria required by law. In the past, the process (especially as it concerns financial reporting) has confused some, and has caused the removal of others from the ballot. Those of us involved with the election bureau want to see that no one is denied an opportunity to run because of confusion or misunderstandings in completing paperwork or complying with procedures for filing for candidacy. Most of the confusion centered around financial disclosure requirements. There have been uncertainties about reporting sources of income, financial interests in various businesses, real estate transfers, and loans and debts. Incumbents and first-time candidates alike have made errors. In fact, the financial statement form used for disclosure has been revised four times since 1999 in an attempt to better clarify the information required by law and eliminate the confusion.
The meeting attracted a greater number of people than seats available in the county commissioners’ meeting room. There were upwards of 60 people in attendance. Sadly, there was little interest by the media to cover and convey the insights provided by this event. The only coverage was provided by Armstrong Cable, which then broadcast the event on television for the public to see, perhaps reaching others interested in elective office who were unable to attend the meeting as well as acquainting the general public with the bureau.
In the two and a half years that I’ve served as a judge of the election board, I’ve been able to work alongside of some very dedicated and hardworking bureau staff. These individuals have elevated the bureau to a place of integrity and efficiency that only several years before under different management had been a subject of controversy.
The voter fraud scandal that surfaced in 1996, highlighting fraudulent and highly questionable absentee ballots from a nursing home in the county, ignited a probe of then bureau procedures. It was not known exactly how widespread or how many years the absentee ballot fraud had been going on, but it was a problem that garnered much attention along with the practice of “dead persons” voting. The scandal itself caused a grand jury investigation that culminated in the prosecution and conviction of three individuals, two of whom were known for the political positions they had held. Elections may have been won and lost fraudulently in Fayette County because of voter fraud.
In the years since then, the election bureau staff, committed citizens, and the election board have worked diligently to resolve these issues and create a system of greater accountability that makes fraud more difficult to perpetrate. This system also seeks to help not hinder citizens interested in participating in the elective process.
I am proud to have served on the election board and would like to see the work that the bureau does get the attention it needs to inform the public of relevant information that serves us all.
Dave Lohr
Connellsville
Hypocrite award
I would like to nominate the Democratic Party members for Hypocrites of the Year Award.
Ted Kennedy, Tom Dashele, John Kerry and other Dems are so worried about civilian casualties in Iraq yet all these moral beings support abortion, so much hypocrisy.
They’re also concerned about the treatment of prisoners in Cuba; I didn’t hear any concern from the Dems about the treatment of American military in Somalia, so much hypocrisy.
Then you have the Dems worrying about the cost. When did any Democrat ask about the cost of welfare, foreign aid, their pay, perks, pensions, limousines? So much hypocrisy.
The only thing Democrats hate is George Bush, solely because he’s in power; they’re not, and most people support him.
Thank God, George Bush is president, otherwise Al Gore would want an environmental impact study before we bomb Iraq. Sorry, Dems, you lost the election and your party is toast except in the welfare, abortion, NOW, gay and the illegal immigration communities.
David Gardner
Uniontown