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Readers respond to Smith upset
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May 16, 2012 |
By Mike Weland
I've been covering local elections in Boundary
County for more than 20 years, and yesterday's
primary went pretty much as I'd anticipated with
one exception; Commissioner Ron Smith's 198-vote
loss to challenger Lee Pinkerton.
Congratulations most certainly go out to Lee,
but somehow, it never dawned on me that Smith, a
public servant almost continuously since he was
elected sheriff in 1983, could be unseated.
After all, he had never lost an election among
Boundary County voters. I don't think I was
alone in thinking that the only way he'd fail to
be elected would be by choosing not to run.
So this morning I posed the question to those
who follow this site via Facebook, "Anyone have
ideas on what brought about the upset?"
"The annexation of a part of town that didn't
want to be annexed?" Melinda Brinkman wrote.
"That can't be," I replied, "Ron is a County
Commissioner and had nothing to do with the city
decision to annex."
"But Mike," she answered, "the perception in the
neighborhood was that no one, county or city,
cared either way. The feeling of lack of
compassion for the people that you claim to
represent is a death sentence to anyone in
politics. My neighborhood feels completely let
down and disrespected by all city and county
officials."
Justified or not, it is a fact that elections
are swayed by public perception, and Melinda's
was the only objective answer to the question I
posed.
"I think Lee Pinkerton is a good man who is
really passionate about Boundary County and the
people in it," Tia Avery wrote. "He will do a
wonderful job protecting our lands and our
rights! Lee is a no nonsense kind of guy who
will stand up for what he believes in. I would
like to take a minute to thank Ron Smith for
serving Boundary County all these years. This
job is one of those positions where no matter
what you decide, you have made someone angry. We
are greatful to you for what you have given to
the community and continue to give as the
GREATEST BADGER BOOSTER OF ALL TIME!"
"Ron has done a lot for this county, but there
really needs to be fresh thoughts, perceptions
and ideas injected into all government
periodically," wrote William Suldovsky. "I
welcome Lee Pinkerton's approach on issues and
wish him the best. Ron will still hold, as Tia
already mentioned, the title for the Greatest
Badger Booster of all time!"
If you have thoughts on the subject, send me an
email to
publisher@newsbf.com. |
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