THE SPECTATOR: THE FUTURE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS

  

Now that some of the dust has settled from last week’s Primary Runoff Election in Washington County, I’d like to address a few things.  First, my role as The Spectator, as it was my father and grandfather’s role going back to the late 1930’s, is to shine light on areas that are being covered up….to uncover the truth when it is not being told….to call out those who are not being truthful with the public…to criticize governmental decisions that we believe are incorrect…and to promote and congratulate individuals and organizations on a job well done.  Unfortunately, in the Primary and the Primary Runoff Elections, I was forced to criticize the campaign tactics of some of the County Judge candidates.  I realize that smear tactics, untruths and twisting of words is common practice in Texas and US races.  However, I never dreamed it would get that bad in our local elections.  Honestly I don’t know what the future looks like for anyone running for office locally.  If fake photos can be mailed out, texted, emailed and posted on social media in order to harm a candidate, what is the limit?  With photoshop and AI, anyone can produce startling, realistic fake photos of a candidate posing with anyone, and doing anything.  But that doesn’t mean a campaign should stoop to that level.  Certainly not when that candidate has to look the other candidate and his friends and neighbors in the face in this community after the election.  Many, many people told me how sickened they were by the tactics employed in this race, and they also fear for the future.  If it continues to remain legal, then the only way to stop it is to not vote for any candidate choosing to campaign that way.  Let’s hope, for our community’s sake, that something changes.

Now for the pat on the back.  I want to congratulate Coach Matt Thaler and the Burton Panther Baseball Team on winning a State Championship yesterday.  What a terrific season!  Go Big Red!  And that’s the way it looks to this Spectator.