Published: May 09, 2008 02:57 pm            

Editorial board: A vital public service

The Bluefield Daily Telegraph Editorial Board spent several hours interviewing candidates for both local and statewide offices during the past two weeks. Questions were posed to gain insight to the commitment these candidates would make to the offices they seek and their awareness of problems facing our state, counties and municipalities.

Reactions was sought about how candidates might propose that problems affecting our area could be corrected, resolved or improved upon. A line of questioning was put forth that was designed to analyze their visions and philosophies concerning education, employment, economic development, health care, transportation needs, infrastructure, taxes, the state, national and local economy, additional costs for goods and services — and the well being of our people.

The Editorial Board printed these questions and responses in the paper to give you, the readers, an opportunity to hear more than a 30-second sound byte and an opportunity to make your decision on which candidate you believe might best serve your interests and the best interests of our area.

It was my privilege to have had an opportunity to observe these proceedings. The formal but friendly atmosphere allowed candidates to formulate well-thought out answers and, in some matters, elicited candid or extemporaneous comments. Occasionally we observed a candidate struggling to answer a question. Some simply noted that they did not know enough about some area of concern to elaborate — and that may have been the best answer.

The candidates that participated certainly put forth their best efforts.

If you aren’t certain about a candidate, pick up a copy of the paper or go online to read what the candidates actually had to say about some very important issues. The information is provided to enable you, our readers, to make a better decision when you cast your vote Tuesday.

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Mercer County Clerk Rudolph Jennings reported that election officials from Secretary of State Betty Ireland’s office have conducted public testing of the county’s voting machines.

The machines were inspected and subjected to pre-election testing to validate accuracy and security to secure the integrity of the voting results.

Jennings told a humorous story about 90-year-old Loma Meadows coming to the courthouse to vote early this past week. After Mrs. Meadows was assured that she would be provided the proper assistance to enable her to vote, her daughter quipped, “I think you should be able to vote until you die.”

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In the Virginia Town races, congratulations are always appropriate for the winners. For those that ran and were not elected, you should also be commended for your effort. The right to seek and hold public office is a precious freedom. For those of you that participated in the election process as candidates and did not prevail, remember that the freedom to choose our officials is paramount to the freedoms we enjoy in this country. Embrace the opportunity to seek office. You are assured of another opportunity in another election at another time and place in history.

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The speculation on who might win the election might be fun, but that might be misinterpreted as an endorsement. Who wins and who is best may not necessarily be the same person. One of my friends did ask who I thought might win in a few of the races. I told him not who I thought was best, but who I thought would win. I have spent time listening to candidates and other folks that wanted to express their opinions. I have no idea who the winner might be in any race where there are at least two candidates. Voters will determine the victors. That is the American way.

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We have new signs “Welcome to Wild Wonderful West Virginia” located at the state line on US 460 here in Bluefield. West Virginians wanted the famous slogan back. West — by gosh — Virginia is wild and wonderful. Thanks, Governor.

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There you have it, a few words on politics and items of interest to the Virginias. Today is Mothers Day. I hope the skies above you are blue and the grass beneath your feet is soft and green. I wish all mothers a happy and wonderful day. Moms, please vote next Tuesday. “That government is the strongest of which every man (or woman — 19th Amendment!) feels himself a part.” — Thomas Jefferson.

PS: To the Supreme Court candidates — 16th Amendment — Income tax …

Wilson Butt, a Bluefield resident, is a retired Department of Highways official.

        

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