I have basically stayed out of the fray in local politics this year. My wife believes it is because I worked so hard in the last local election that I got burned out. And while I have to admit that I was disheartened by the results of the sheriff and congressional races, I was pleased by many of the other results - especially those in my precinct where I worked so hard.The real reason I haven't been as involved is because my special needs son, Dustin is on a modified day at school, so I simply do not have the time to do the campaigning I did in the past.
I haven't written that much about the local race - there are more blogs covering the mayoral and city council races than ever before. This blog especially has done a bang up job.
I believe the vote for mayor is a no-brainer - it doesn't take any brains to know that Tom Henry will be the better mayor and anyone who would vote for Matt Kelty probably has no brain.
The city council races are interesting. Karen Goldner has run a text book campaign. She presses the flesh, gets her message out and has the resume to be the most effective member of the city council ever.
What concerns me are some of the other council races. I've noticed, to my chagrin that there are some bloggers - who shall remain unnamed - who have fallen for the well practiced schmooze ability of one of the candidates. I too was initially fooled by the schmoozing of this candidate, but quickly came to my senses when I discovered what a mixer he/she was. It makes you wonder if the Democrats who are backing this candidate are backing him/her on policy or personality.
I do not consider myself completely partisan - I think Crawford is an honorable candidate - but we need a council who will work with Mayor Henry. Yes, I realize I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I firmly believe the majority of voters in Fort Wayne know we need a man of integrity and not a man who thinks a few white lies are acceptable.
But no matter who you are backing, make sure you get out there and vote. Right now that is Matt Kelty's only hope - voter apathy. This is how he squeaked by Nelson Peters in the primary. All of Peters' supporters assumed he was a shoe-in and woke up on a Wednesday morning in May to discover just how wrong they were. Don't let Kelty steal another election through voter apathy. Take advantage of your right as a citizen and cast your vote this Tuesday so we don't awaken on November 7 to the nightmare of a Mayor Kelty.
