For the past several months, my inbox has been flooded daily with emails from the Grimes and McConnell campaigns.
Millions of dollars-enough to build schools, fund scholarships, feed many hungry and house hundreds of homeless-have been spent on Kentucky’s senatorial race.
If I hear the words, “War on Coal” one more time, I think I might puke.
I personally feel that it’s an insult to our intelligence by both campaigns to keep suggesting that the “War on Coal” is what’s at stake here.
What’s at stake is the power of a political party. Both parties are fighting desperately for it.
While that race is obviously important, our local elections are too.
They are highly relevant to the business of our daily lives. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves some hard questions.
Who will enforce our laws and best battle the drug abuse epidemic in this county?
Who has the best vision to move our cities forward?
Who simply wants to “run things” and has little vision or no vision of how to grow businesses and attract tourism?
Who is best qualified to secure vital state and federal grant dollars?
Being part of one of the poorest areas in the nation, our region receives top priority for many of those funds.
But someone has to take the initiative to apply for them. Someone has to follow through with determination until they are awarded.
My job gives me a unique view into the workings of local public offices.
Let me tell you, in the past year, I’ve received a whole new kind of education in community government. I have much to learn still.
But I have become acquainted with most of the candidates, and I truly believe that most are decent people with good intentions.
But electing people to public office should be more of a job applicant screening than a popularity contest.
We need to consider carefully if the candidate truly thinks Estill County can grow. Who has the qualifications-and vision-to move our county and our cities forward?
We need to carefully consider, then we need to vote.
I’m telling you, it does make a difference when we do.