By Steve Trubilla
First, a few disclaimers.
I am a registered Republican. This is something that may change. The reasons for this are many.
I am not being paid by anyone to promote any candidate and will not accept payment for doing so.
I have made political contributions to members of both parties
At this time I have no personal political ambition. This could change if more true patriot leaders with integrity do not surface.
I am not a member of any Tea Party organization. I attend meetings with groups across the political spectrum. If any group invites me, I will make an effort to attend their meeting.
I do discriminate when it comes to disinformation, bullying, lying, and dirty politics. Both parties do it.
What I write in this column is my opinion. I make an honest effort to present facts, and do considerable research on political candidates.
The nature of things is such that many seeking office will tell you what they want you to hear, not what you need to hear.
I have been following our local race for Clerk of Court. Personally, I feel this office should be non-partisan. The office is too important to our daily lives.
Often, related matters surface when we suffer great personal loss.
The service you or your family receives from the Clerk of Court’s Office should not have anything to do with what your political convictions are. Of course this is just my opinion. I hope it is yours.
Space in this edition will not allow for me to present all of what I have learned about this race or the candidates.
I feel it is critically important I share an exchange I had with one of them.
The following is a transcript of messages I exchanged with candidate Shelley Dickerson.
“Shelley, I am involved in many things in our community. First, I must tell you at the present, I support Miss Chastain for Clerk. This said, a friend asked me why. I replied I felt she was the best person. He asked if I knew what your vision was, I replied no. He suggested I contact you before I make a final decision. This caused me to take a step back. If you are interested, I would like to meet with you to discuss your vision and address some concerns I have.
You can contact me via email at SteveTrubilla@paperbullets.us
Hope you are well, Steve”
Her reply:
“Dear Steve, I am writing to respond to your email request to learn more about my candidacy for Franklin County Clerk of Court. You imply that you may have been too hasty in your endorsement of Patricia Chastain and want to learn more about my platform.
I suggest that you go to my website at shelleydickerson.com to see what my hopes and goals are.
However, I must candidly tell you that it is my opinion that my opponent, Patricia Chastain, is much closer to your Tea Party-inspired positions and that you are much closer ideologically to Ms. Chastain than to me. I think that both you and Roger Lytle made the correct decision, given your views, by endorsing Patricia Chastain in the first place and both of you would be much happier if I am not elected.
I thank you for your interest in my candidacy, even though I do not share your Tea Party beliefs, and I wish you well. Shelley Dickerson Candidate, Franklin Co. Clerk of Court.”
(I have done this. It leaves one with more questions than answers.) This note added 5 Apr 2015
My Reply:
“Shelley, my interest in all things political is that the most qualified person is elected. I support people from both parties based on my estimate of their integrity and ability.
As you know, there are those that use labels to define people for their agenda; it is divisive. I am not a member of any Tea Party organization. The “We the People” organization is a non-partisan citizen group, not a Tea Party political organization.
They openly invite everyone to attend. You have a standing invitation to address the group.
Public office should not be politicized, particularly offices related to the judicial system.
My interest in Chastain reflects confidence in her potential for continued improvements.
There are many unanswered questions related to the circumstance of her appointment. Some of which I would like to ask you.
It was not a matter of haste relative to Chastain that caused me to contact you.
It was to gain insight.
As I move forward, I want to be balanced in any commentary I may offer.
At the end of the day decisions made by the Clerk of Court impact the lives of real people.
If those decisions are in any way influenced by the person’s political party, it is not in the public’s best interest. To go further with this, I would say it would be a betrayal of the public trust.
It is unfortunate you feel because we may differ on political philosophy that it would be best if I did not support you. I appreciate your candor.
This implies because we may differ politically, I may be at a disadvantage if you were elected.
(Why would any candidate make this statement? An elected official should be willing to work to meet the needs of all citizens. To me this statement reads more like a threat than an answer to my question. How does this apply to others that do not embrace her political views?) This note added 5 Apr 2015
In closing, I would note that I know of no Tea Party endorsement for Chastain.
Those advancing this are simply not telling the truth, and are trying to influence the outcome of the election.
In my opinion it is tantamount to voter fraud.
While this may work to your benefit, it is wrong and you should renounce it. I give you the benefit of the doubt that you may not have known this, or you may believe the falsehood of the endorsement to be true.
If you question what I am saying on this, research it for yourself. You will find I am correct.
Anyone that lifts themselves up with a known falsehood is not worthy of the prize they seek.
In closing, please know I too wish you well.
Let us not allow any of this to define how we feel about one another personally.
Elections come and go, and views evolve.
I thank you for being willing to take on the challenge of public office.
Thank you for the courtesy of your reply, Steve”
As of this writing, Miss Dickerson has not replied to my last message to her.
Here are the websites for both candidates: http://electchastain.net/ and shelleydickerson.com
I am not telling you how to vote or what to think. Unlike many, I feel you are intelligent and will make up your own mind.
What I do ask is that you do “think” before you vote.
Do you want politicians or public servants? This is not personal, it’s business!