Commissioners should not be handed their seats back

TO THE EDITOR:

Several events have occurred in McMinnville in the last couple of years that have some people convinced they can have their cake and eat it too. If anyone has been reading the papers lately or even watched Oprah, you know the events I am speaking of.

The law is the law. No matter how much your ‘good ol’ boy’ mentality wants to override the set rules of this town, it doesn’t matter what you think. Everything has due process. The law was written that way in order to avoid confusion and set a standard of rules.

Mr. Duane Sherrill believes former county commissioners Bill Zechman and George Smartt should regain their seats for their districts, even though they stepped down to hopefully gain the state Senate seat. Why does Sherrill say this you might ask? Because the two were elected by the people for the last 20 years (give or take some years).

Yes, they did win and I respect them for the job they have done and for the time they served. I do not accept the fact that some do not respect the law enough to follow it. Why should we just let them have their seats back? What should we do every time an elected official wants to leave for greener pastures and loses? Should we just let them come back and forget it ever happened?

I think NOT. What kind of example does that set for everyone else? The commissioners are not being arrogant or ignoring the people, like Mr. Sherrill states. The commissioners are doing what the set of rules state.

If you give up your seat, then you give up your seat. Set an example for the people of McMinnville. Have pride and accept your loss. Respect the fact others can do the job just as well, if not better.

I think Thomas Vaughn had the right idea in questioning the commission. ‘Question everything unless you’re willing to accept anything!’

Rebekah West

Motlow student

Meadowbrook Drive

McMinnville