This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
If you want to formulate your own opinion about the upcoming Taylor City Council District 1 race, just watch the candidates’ forum on the Taylor Press Facebook page.
I attended the event, which featured incumbent Gerald Anderson and his challenger, newcomer Stan Werner.
Now I’m trying to decide if the election is about the individual candidates themselves, the voters or the issues.
Did jabs get thrown during the event? Absolutely, and from both sides. That’s where I wonder if the race revolves around the candidates and their personalities. Regardless of your personal feeling about the political hopeful, you should vote for the person you believe will do the best job.
What about the candidates’ attitudes toward the voters? That should not be an issue, either. In any successful election, the officeholder should represent everyone in the district – whether it’s people he or she likes, dislikes or doesn’t know.
Constituents should be able to come to their council member with the assurance they will be heard when there is something vital to discuss.
What are the issues in this contest? If you watched the forum, it’s about Robinson and Wabash, a controversial street project.
Wait, you say, didn’t that happen three years ago? Yes, but both sides brought it up during the Facebook session.
This election is not about Samsung coming to Taylor. It’s not about streets. After what I heard Monday, I’m not clear on what the issues are.
The words “tax rate” and “housing affordability” surfaced a couple of times.
During the forum, I also heard that people on Facebook hate candidates and that “idiots” are out there.
I’m not sure those last two comments are politically good moves. Nor can anyone claim the statements arose out of a “hot-mic” situation.
There is one other aspect of the political season I take issue with: when sitting council members or school board trustees publicly endorse a candidate running for City Hall or the school district.
If you want to privately back your candidate, fine. But to publicly encourage others to vote for them is, well, tacky to me.
Yes, it’s politics, but hear me out.
Say that you and I serve on the same school board or council, it’s an election year and you publicly support my opponent. Now we have an issue. We have worked together for at least a year, and it is obvious you believe I am the wrong person for the job. However, you and I must still work together dur
However, you and I must still work together during the election and afterwards, until either I win or the other person gets sworn in.
No matter what, in the interim our working relationship is damaged and whatever trust we had is lost.
Pick your poison carefully.
This column is not to attack any candidate or any voter, just to explain what I have seen so far this campaign.
I’ve said it before, political races can bring out the worst in people. This year is no different. Voting is May 7.
I’m getting off my soapbox now. I wish you all a happy Easter. Hunt and find as many eggs as you can.
“(The Taylor Press) is not doing any endorsements. At this event, in our paper. At all.”
Jason Hennington, Taylor Press publisher
