So I'm looking over some of last week's less than scientific "questionnaires" in The Yadkin Ripple and -- after tallying up some of the questionable models and tactics utilized in these less than precise samplings of the voting electorate and the candidates -- I still felt myself underrepresented.
To be more precise, I was a bit perturbed that neither of these distinguished polling organizations chose to include me in their voter registration guide.
So, I took it upon myself to meander through these less than candid assessments of the candidates voting records and attempt to set the record straight. No, it wouldn't be an easy task. But let's face it, someone has to do it.
I'm sure some of the candidates who were excluded and even those included in these surveys find these political advertisements less than truthful. So what do you say? Let's gather 'round together and all play a little something I prefer to call "Ad Check."
Let's begin with an advertisement that appeared in last week's Ripple simply entitled "Candidates Questionnaire." Sounds straight forward enough, so it shouldn't be too difficult to decipher. Let's begin with a list of the candidates. Remember, there are nine candidates running for three open seats on the board.
But wait a minute. In this particular advertisement, there are only five candidates: John Clifton, Kevin Austin, Don Johnson, Brady Wooten and Allen Sneed. Already, we have less than a full scientific sampling, so we have to question the reliability and accuracy of its finding.
Perhaps we can learn something by the person who paid for the advertisement. In this case, its an organization known as the "Faith, Family, Freedom Alliance." Never heard of it. Don't know that they hang out at Ace's Restaurant in downtown Yadknville and I've never seen this group at The East Bend Citgo. Reading a little further in the advertisement, we discover that it's an "educational, grassroots-oriented, non-partisan organization," which is the N.C affiliate of the American Family Association. OK, I'm still waiting for the Yadkin connection.
"We believe that the Judeo-Christian values this nation was founded on the need to be protected and maintained in order to ensure the future of generations to come," the group says in short statement.
OK. And how does that apply to Yadkin County politics? Ah, but wait. We soon have our answer when we discover that this group was founded by former 5th District Congressional candidate Nathan Tabor, a Kernersville businessman and well-known crusader for "family values" and Republican candidates.
With that bit of public disclosure out of the way, let's go down the list of questions and attempt a bit of analysis. Might even learn a little something in the process, a chance that we all have to take whenever we attempt to discern the truth.
"Will you sign a pledge not to raise taxes?" says the first question. Well, four of out five candidates said yes. Only Allen Sneed answered no. Good for you, Allen. It's a silly question, one that groups such as Freedomworks and ordinary citizens always put out there. It's a bogus question designed only to paint the candidate into a corner and ensure that they lock up the support of the person or group asking such nonsense.
All of the candidates agreed on the question about a line item budget, so we march on to the third question: "Will you vote to place in the name of Jesus back into opening prayer?" Well, that's not your typical Local Government 101 question. But I guess it's to be expected from this group and in Yadkin County where it's such a hot issue. Never mind that there was never an actual vote by commissioners to eliminate Jesus from prayer at board meetings. It's a surefire way to gather votes. And if you want to get elected, you'd better say yes. And, accordingly, each of our five candidates agreed.
Here's another issue that comes out of nowhere: "As an elected commissioner will you vote for all Yadkin County documents to be printed in English?" Without saying so, that's a backhanded slap at our growing Latino population and not exactly, at least in my opinion, a very Christian attitude toward our new neighbors. But each of the five candidates said yes, so they once again picked the right answer.
Here's another question that seemed a bit odd and unnecessary: "As a Commissioner will you include citizens input before casting your vote on all major county projects?" Personally, I think this is a bad idea. How do you define "citizens input?" Does that mean an unspecified and unlimited amount of time for public comments?
That's not reasonable. Of course, this again is a moot point and ridiculous question. Commissioners obviously seek out public input on their decisions, but they can't allow public pressure or even majority rule to dictate their final vote. That's why we have elected officials -- individuals we put in positions of power to make difficult decisions that are in the best interests of the county, not just to appease special interest groups.
And, of course, no questionnaire would be complete without asking a commissioner candidate if they favor keeping the jail downtown and if they are willing to rescind the $60 household garbage fee. Again, I'm not sure what this has to do with preserving family values. I never realized that the location of a new county jail and a household garbage fee were part of Judeo-Christian values. But I guess that's what you get when you mix religion and politics.
Moving quickly now to the other advertisement in last week's Ripple paid for by long-time conservative activist Peggy Boose. This one, entitled "Yadkin County Commissioner Voting Record" again is not all-inclusive. In fact, it appears to be more specifically targeted against incumbents Kim Phillips and Joel Cornelius and challenger Allen Sneed. Commissioner Brady Wooten is the only one who comes off good in Boose's campaign advertisement.
In an attempt to promote Wooten's candidacy, Boose selectively pulls out motions from the last two years, some of which Wooten put forward solely for political gain, knowing that he would never get a second. Again, it's not so much about consensus-building here for Wooten, but doing what one group of individuals expects of him so that he can count on their support in the next election. It's not about the public good so much as it is about complying with the wishes of a minority who never quite accepted defeat in the last election.
Boose's questionnaire reminds us that Wooten put forward a motion that would have asked for a referendum to pay for the jail - something that Phillips and Sneed didn't support. And, of course, we have to include the ridiculous motion by former Commissioner Leo Casstevens about the county only doing business with American citizens and and making English our official language - both of which have little to do with the daily operations of county government, but were put forth by anti-immigrant groups.
Further review of the questionnaire reveals that Cornelius and Phillips "agreed to no longer use Jesus' name in prayer before meeting due to ACLU letter." Wooten is listed in the questionnaire as opposing this measure. The fact of the matter is that there was never a vote on this issue. Commissioners agreed to continue to open their meetings with prayer and to follow the state and U.S. Constitution, something that each commissioner, including Wooten, swore to do when they took office.
There are other aspects of this "questionnaire" that factually represent the commissioners' actions. This board did in fact approve a fiscal 2007-08 budget that included a property tax increase and a $60 household garbage fee. This board also agreed, again over Wooten's objections, to rezone a 10-acre tract on Hoots Road for a new jail. Both were controversial decisions at the time, which Phillips and Cornelius both knew might kill their re-election bids.
But let's at least be honest about this less than scientific survey, which leaves out five other candidates. It is really nothing more than an endorsement of Wooten's campaign for a second term in office. The motions were carefully selected to put Wooten in the best possible light. And I'm sure that Boose and Wooten hope this "questionnaire" will serve to enlighten some voters as a complete and accurate representation of the entire board's actions in the last two years.
I'm hoping for something better. I would prefer that voters take the time to ask each of the nine candidates where they stand on the issues and then cast an informed vote in next Tuesday's primary. Don't settle for campaign advertisements, regardless of the candidates, as your primary means of information in this important race. Do you your own homework and never be content for an easy answer. Don't allow candidates to gloss over the more difficult issues. And when they say they won't raise property taxes, ask them where they will get the necessary revenue to replace our declining industrial base.
You, the voter, are the most important and integral part of our democratic process. Be sure you know the answers to the questions before you go to the polls next Tuesday. Our county's future is hinging on the outcome.
Matthews is editor of sister publication The Yadkin Ripple and lives in East Bend.
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