Voter apathy a no-show during this year’s election
Unlike past years where many voters stayed at home and failed to make their voices heard, the people of Warren County Thursday spoke with a loud voice, expressing their opinions at the polls by exercising their sacred right and obligation to vote. Whether it was the convenience of early voting bringing the public out or the number of close races capturing the imagination of the electorate, the end result was something of which we can be proud.
On Sept. 1, the oath of office will be taken by some new officials such as County Executive-Elect Kenneth Rogers, Circuit Judge-Elect Bart Stanley, and 11 brand new county commissioners. Some familiar faces such as Sheriff Jackie Matheny, Trustee Joy Slatton, County Clerk David Smartt, Circuit Court Clerk Bernie Morris, Register of Deeds Terry Smith, Road Superintendent Harold Glenn and 13 incumbent commissioners will be continuing the work started over the past four years.
With the election over, it’s time to get back to the task at hand. Election year politics and the divisions they sometimes cause given the heat of battle must now be set aside for the good of the entire community. No good can ever come of holding grudges or working against another person just because of the results of an election. To achieve the public good, all sides must come together as one to accomplish our ultimate goals. Instead of pushing apart, we must pull together. Election year politics should have been put aside when the polls closed Thursday.
During the coming four years Warren County must improve its economic standing by recruiting new industry and putting people back to work. Lingering ill-will from election-year rivalry would be counterproductive in this venture since a common stand is needed to entice new business to this area. By working together, everybody wins.
The same will be true in county government where 11 new county commissioners will need to find their niche within the governing body of the county. At the same time, our new county executive will have to familiarize himself to his new role. Granted, there will be many different agendas within this large governmental body since each member is elected to represent his or her district, many of which have different needs and expectations. However, we hope that all can find a way to work together as one well-oiled machine, opening the door for long-term prosperity for the people of Warren County.
In the end, it is our expectation the general election of 2002 will be remembered as one where the people spoke loudly and that their concerns did not fall on deaf ears.