Rogers not turning his back on the people
This letter is in response to the article that appeared in the Sunday, July 14 edition of the Southern Standard. The article was in Editorial Our Viewpoint and was titled “Candidates who won’t talk, don’t deserve a vote.”
First off let me say I have no political or journalistic ambitions. I am writing this as a concerned citizen of Warren County. I am concerned the only newspaper in our fine community would take such a slanted view toward a political race.
Why is a debate even necessary? The candidates pay good money to run political advertisements in the newspaper. Anyone can read his or her views on a political matter without having to attend a debate. And why would you want to debate an incumbent who has been in office for four years and already has a record?
Kenneth Rogers is not turning his back on people. He is out in the public. He is being up front, down to earth and honest with people. If you want to know how he stands on something, just ask him. He will be glad to tell you how he feels about a subject.
He is out in all parts of the county talking with people, not just in a building in McMinnville where only a set number of people can attend, with an agenda of questions planned.
Mr. Rogers has told us why he should be elected. Do you not read your own paper or value the people who advertise in your newspaper enough to read the political advertisements? Lots of other people have read the advertisements and are making very positive comments toward Mr. Rogers. Obviously this is not the case within the hallowed halls of your establishment.
Kenneth Rogers is out giving people an impression of what kind of leader he will be. He is out getting his message over to the public instead of sparring with an opponent in an enclosed arena.
Mr. Rogers has told of his goals and ambitions in leading Warren County. They have even been printed in our paper. If you don’t know them by now, you must not be reading the Southern Standard.
You spoke of selling one’s self. An honest person doesn’t sell himself. He/she lays out the facts of his/her intentions, goals and ambitions and then lets the people decide it that’s what they want. After all, this is the person to represent all of Warren County.
And the last thing I have to discuss about the debate issue is cost. Who paid for the debate? You might say, “I thought it was free.” Well, someone had to pay the extra cost of the utilities for use of the administrative building. Did this come out of the Hamblen or Warren campaign funds? I could be wrong, but I think this came out of the normal operating funds for the building. This is out of the taxpayers’ pockets. So, I don’t believe this debate was entirely free.
If this is true, it was free to the candidates at the taxpayers’ expense. Maybe this is just another reason Mr. Rogers declined the invitation. After all, he did promise to conserve the taxpayers’ money. It would seem to me this is already a kept promise.
I’m sure the good people of Warren County will make their decision by the end of election day. They don’t need a slanted opinion to tell them what to do at the polls.
Sincerely,
Clyde Prater
1746 W. Green Hill Rd.
McMinnville