Champaign County needs a new Sheriff... JEROMMIE SMITH (Independent write-in candidate)
To All Voters;
After reading that The News-Gazette has publicly endorsed Dan Walsh for re-election to Champaign County Sheriff, I must implore those who have not already voted to please make a wiser decision to fill in the oval and write in Jerommie Smith for Sheriff. The 4,208 petition signatures gathered in good faith to get him on the ballot were pared down in an extremely nit-picking process that denied our long-overdue right to a choice for this important office.
Some may be apprehensive about voting for an Independent, since it is not one of the major parties – and the nay-sayers do their best to discourage us from it. But Jerommie’s decision to run as an Independent was actually very wise, considering that most of us are really fed up with BOTH the Republicans and the Democrats seeking office. We talk about sending a message of our dissatisfaction by voting incumbents out; now we need to JUST DO IT! Voters really DO have the power to make that change, if we make our voices heard where it counts.
Much of Walsh’s support comes from the good ol’ boy cronyism, the large Republican base, his name recognition and incumbency – but not because the voters really know much else about him. My own conversations and interactions with Walsh over his past 2 terms have demonstrated to me that he is rude to the point of being unprofessional; egotistical and imperious; with an inexcusable attitude that makes him unwilling to use all available resources… particularly in missing persons cases. Walsh has had an 8-year uncontested period in office, and that is more than enough, yet he and his cronies have tried to deny us any other choice.
The citizens of ChampaignCountydeserve MUCH better, and we finally have an excellent candidate in Jerommie Smith. I have talked to and checked him out with others outside of his family who know him well. He is dedicated to law enforcement; trustworthy, approachable, honest and respected; has a good business head; is highly qualified, educated and experienced in this field; knows how to use available resources; has sound ideas for improvements in the department and budgetary issues; and will surround himself with good, knowledgeable people in carrying out the duties of Sheriff. Please remember to fill in the oval when you write in Jerommie Smith, to ensure that ALL votes for him are counted. Thank you to all concerned citizens and supporters!
Sincerely,
Joyce Phares
Urbana, IL.
I whole heartedly agree with
I whole heartedly agree with Joyce. However when I went to vote Jerommie's name was nowhere to be seen. There were no signs or instructions on how to do a write in vote. I had to leave the booth and ask for the list of write in candidates. The election officials rolled their eyes and behaved as though I were making a nuisance. They did not allow me to take the list into the booth with me. I had to stand embarrassed waiting several minutes for them to find the list of write in candidates. With petulant arrogance the chief election official told me I could complain to Sheldon as if wasting my time in such a fruitless pursuit would be meaningful.
Our democracy is fake. The two parties are in cahoots against any independent or third party candidate. I left the polling place with a bitter taste as though I had drunk the most vile bile. The putrid stench of foul corruption in my nostrils almost caused me to vomit as I resigned myself to accept the fact that I live in a land without meaningful liberty or freedom to choose honest leaders. We are ruled by two bands of bandits who alternate in power though they always remain in power no matter who wins.
Yatiri, I submit that you did
Yatiri, I submit that you did not inform yourself well enough or do enough work in the election cycle to have the right to be upset. If you really cared about voting for a write in candidate, you should have researched a little on how to do it, or even what names you might choose to write in.
This democracy is not fake, but it is run by those willing to do the work to get elected.
Social Media
Comments
News-Gazette.com embraces discussion of both community and world issues. We welcome you to contribute your ideas, opinions and comments, but we ask that you avoid personal attacks, vulgarity and hate speech. We reserve the right to remove any comment at our discretion, and we will block repeat offenders' accounts. To post comments, you must first be a registered user, and your username will appear with any comment you post. Happy posting.