Light-up McIntosh December 15
Light-up McIntosh will begin at the Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. The event will host Santa Clause and an area choir from six local churches will sing.
09.10.06 --- EDITORIAL: Crossing my fingers for an election
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Crossing my fingers for an election
Qualifying period for council seat begins Monday
By CHER PHILLIPS
McINTOSH -- We're up against another qualifying period next week for anyone wanting to run for McIntosh town council to fill Jim Strange's vacant seat. The period begins at noon Sept. 11 and runs though noon Sept. 15.
I was thinking that wouldn't it be a very cool thing if we had an election this time around? That's a hard thing to ask, I know, in a town where we barely got one volunteer to run for each of the last two seats. But after two seats have been appointed to candidates who've run unopposed, it sure would be nice to see some democracy in action.
In fact, before the Primary election, I was a little worried about McIntosh. OK -- I am always a little worried about McIntosh. But I was worried about the way we've choosen our leaders -- not to slight either Lee or Eva Jo. I've been wondering if maybe democracy isn't being served as the revolving door of the town council ushers in new council members who step up one by one to take seats that no one else wants.
But then I looked at the numbers in the archive of the Supervisor of Elections website.
In the 2004 Primary election, 144 people voted in precinct 60 -- McIntosh. This year, the Primary pulled in 378 votes from this precinct. That increase is huge people. HUGE. Think about it: The last election for a council member in 2005 pulled 290 voters, and that was a close race.
I can't explain why the numbers are up. Maybe y'all have a secret hankering to see Charlie Crist in the Governor's mansion. But I look at those numbers and I think -- man, I would like to see the people of McIntosh elect the next council member. For everything that everyone has said about this town being torn apart this year, those numbers say something completely different.
Those numbers say these people are on the same page, they care about and want a voice in their government. They want to choose their leaders.
Last week, Julie had some tentative numbers in the office for the town totals, she said they thought 341 McIntosh residents voted last Tuesday. We only have 361 registered voters in town.
It's time we had an election, folks. I know in the far corners of town, people are racking their brains to come up with someone who run for the rest of Strange's term.
If you even think you might want to serve, this is the time to step up. Win or lose, you would be doing the town a service because you would be giving the people of McIntosh a choice.
posted by Cher @ 9:04 PM,
8 Comments:
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At September 10, 2006 10:10 PM ,
said...
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Who do you think would be good canidates to run?
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At September 10, 2006 10:34 PM ,
said...
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Anyone willing to come to meetings, listen to the constituents and make informed decisions would be a good candidate. Patience is a virtue that would be helpful!
K. Deaderick -
At September 11, 2006 9:47 PM ,
said...
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I believe, the last election you are speaking of included voters
not just from McIntosh, but
elsewhere also. -
At September 11, 2006 11:03 PM ,
Cher said...
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Oh yeah, I agree. More folks than McIntosh residents vote at the town's Civic Center. But it's still significant if you break those numbers down and compare this year's primary (378 votes) to the last primary election in McIntosh (144 votes.) Like I said, I don't know all the factors but it's an impressive turnout.
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At September 12, 2006 2:50 PM ,
said...
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You have to consider though that last year there was no governor up for election and this year there was. That makes a difference.
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At September 12, 2006 7:44 PM ,
Cher said...
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The numbers are still up. The 2002 primary election results are not online so your rebuttal is inconclusive without those numbers. It's hardly scientific but we can always look to the people who were voting that day. I hear the polls were hopping in the Tosh. Anyone have to stand in line?
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At September 13, 2006 12:39 PM ,
said...
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looks like howard is going to be running against himself!
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At September 13, 2006 9:05 PM ,
said...
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Glad to hear Howard is willing
to serve again! He is an asset
to the town!
Editor
Editor and Publisher:
I'm Cher From McIntosh, FL I'm a graduate student at the University of Florida working on a master's degree in Mass Communication. While I was finishing my undergrad degree in journalism last year, I reported on McIntosh, Fla. for an in-depth reporting class. I figured that the reporting and the public record files should go somewhere people can access them. Reporters don't report to keep the information they find to themselves. Some of that reporting is included here in a forum that allows response. McIntosh suffers because with no news coverage, the local government and the rumor mill have too much potential to run rampant over residents. I moved to McIntosh in the fall of 1999. My profile
About This Blog
The primary purpose of this blog is to accurately reflect what happens in town public meetings and dispel rumors. I record the meetings and make them available for download. One of the goals of this blog is to offer residents a place to voice opinions. The comments, views and opinions expressed there are not necessarily those of the editor.
