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Wilkinson Co. can’t let crooks win
Published Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Today, the good people of Wilkinson County may finally get to cast votes and know that the ballots will be handled with some integrity.
After 10 months of waiting, allegations, lawsuits and legal wrangling, Wilkinson County will have a “do over” of the 2007 Democratic primary today.
Allegations of voter fraud, mishandling of ballots and generally sketchy — if not criminal — behavior abounded around the original election.
Ultimately, so much shadiness surrounded the original primary — and the party’s vote to throw out paper ballots that were allegedly mishandled — a specially-appointed judge decided an entirely new election was needed.
This time, hopefully, the eyes of court-appointed special advocates will discourage any shenanigans.
We are glad voters finally have a chance to choose their candidates, but we’re disappointed that the matter occurred in the first place.
We urge investigators to rigorously pursue allegations of wrongdoing and prosecute any found viable enough to stick.
Perhaps the only thing worse than the mess Wilkinson County finds itself in at the moment is that such cases often lead to increased voter apathy.
When crooks push honest voters to toss up their hands with disgust and stop voting, the crooks win. And we should never sit idle and let that happen.
Comments
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 5:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As of the last printing of the Woodville Republican, 132 abstentee votes had been cast in this election being held today versus 550 that were cast in last year's election. Down 75%. What a coincidence.
After a Mississippi Supreme Court appointed-judge ruled last week that Mon Cree Allen, Patricia Delaney, and Connie Hollins "conspired to prevent four candidates from examining the contents of the ballot boxes", I seriously doubt that they will be attempting to try any of the same business today. I guarantee you plenty of folks from the state will be monitoring this election. (Allen was one of the ones that is involved in the contested election in case anyone was wondering). Good luck to Jessie, Kirk, and Lynn.
Posted by lilbit (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a coincidence indeed! Woodville has too many great things going for it to allow these people to take away the Democratic system. I am glad justice prevailed this time. Hopefully the outcome of the election will prove that.
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote Jessie Stewart -Sheriff Lynn Tolliver Delaney-circuit Clerk Kirk Smith-Second District Supervisor
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm still waiting to hear Mon Cree and Company's excuse as to WHY they wouldn't let anyone examine the ballot boxes. When it came down to being forced to allow someone to examine them, it was obvious they were tampered with. Goodnight! Of course they won't prosecute anyone, but voter apathy is already apparant. Thanks to the obviously guilty party for trying to selfishly destroy the democratic process!
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that they should prosecute people in the public trust that violate it. And I do not mean telling a fib about whether or not you had an affair. I mean violating procedures that affect the running of public systems.
If we put people in jail for smoking flowers, and put Martha Stewart in jail for telling a fib about when she knew what about her own personal property, then a politician who lies or cheats willfully should swing from a tree (figuratively). One who lies through the media is far more destructive than a private citizen who tells a fib to the FBI.
If I had my way, someone else would be running the White House, cuz all the president's men would be in jail with the president. They would have plenty of company from state and county officials. He,he!
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, Yeah...it's a shame but they won't be prosecuted. What's up with that? Politicians break the law and get a frown from the judge. It just ain't right, no matter how you ice that cake!
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kpage, what can you expect?
After all isn't Mon Cree's last name ALLEN?
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