Opinion

Election heating up

Friday, October 25, 2002

With only 11 days to go before the 2002 general election, the campaign is heating up in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas.

For proof, you need look no further than the local newspaper. As an example, turn to page 4 of this week's Benkelman Post & News-Chronicle. There you will see a quarter page ad featuring a large picture showing former bull rider Dallas Chartier being tossed head-first from a bucking Brahma. Underneath, the ad proclaims in all-capital letters: "DON'T GET UPSIDE DOWN WITH A CANDIDATE YOU DON'T KNOW...STAY UPRIGHT WITH ME."

Chartier, who served for eight years as Benkelman's mayor, is running against John W. Sutherland for Dundy County Commissioner from District II. In his ad in the Benkelman Post, Sutherland starts with the big, bold words: "WANTED:," under which he seeks, "Your support for Dundy County Commission District II."

Seventy five miles to the east of Dundy County, another hot race is in the making. At stake is the sheriff's job in Furnas County, with the incumbent, Joel "Hank" Pulley, being opposed by Gregg Meyer, who moved to Furnas County after 28 years of service with the Denver Police Department.

In this week's Cambridge Clarion, Arapahoe Public Mirror, Beaver City Times-Tribune and Oxford Standard, the candidates compete for votes with a series of ads. The most pointed are ones from Meyer, declaring, "FURNAS COUNTY NEEDS SOLUTIONS NOT EXCUSES," and one on Pulley's behalf from Gerry Hunter, a former sergeant for the Furnas County Sheriff's Office. In the ad, Hunter praises Pulley for having "one of the more modern, up to date departments in this part of the state."

In varying degrees, similar battles for votes are being waged in all the counties of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. Even though the presidential office is not at stake, there's plenty else to attract the interest of voters, particularly on the local level.

And -- more and more -- we're finding that it is local politics which most directly affects our daily lives. Just look at your tax bill and you will realize the tremendous impact of city and village leaders, county commissions and school board members.

There has been vandalism in this area -- mainly in the form of stolen campaign signs. That may sound like innocent mischief, but it's costly for the candidates who pay up to $6 each for the yard signs.

As a result of the increasing interest in the election, several local candidates approached news media about a candidates' night in McCook. In response, the McCook Radio Group and McCook Daily Gazette have agreed to host a Candidate's Forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sehnert's Bakery and the Bieroc Cafe.

The forum will be carried live on KICX, KBRL and K-Rock and covered in person by the Gazette's city editor, Gloria Masoner. Dave Stout of McCook Radio Group will serve as moderator and Gene Morris will represent the Gazette as a panelist.

All local candidates are invited to participate. The candidates will be given time for an opening statement, and then will field questions from the panel.

Yes, the campaign is heating up. Keep informed. Listen and learn. Election Day is rapidly approaching and you need to be ready to cast your vote.

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