County judge decision based on ‘look and listen’ approach

Opinion

Discussion

March 12, 2010

THE VIEW FROM HERE

By JIM HARDIN CNHI The Zope Gazette Fri Mar 12, 2010, 02:23 PM CST

ROCKWALL — The number of campaign signs clumped together at busy street corners and other high traffic areas has dwindled dramatically, and, of course, that means also that there are just a few survivors from the recent primary war.

War? No. Not really. Actually, it was a rather peaceful primary season when compared to some that I — and probably you — have observed over the years.

Let’s just take a look at the campaign for Rockwall County judge. Yes, there were some issues, like the planned new Rockwall County Courthouse. Each candidate expressed himself. It was very clear where each candidate stood on the issue.

And there were some jabs taken at the current county judge. I wish that didn’t have to be a part of campaigning. But again, I believe each candidate should be commended for staying pretty much focused on the issues and away from damaging personal attacks. And I would hope that’s the way it will be during the county judge runoff between Jerry Hogan and Kevin Fowler.

I believe I know who will get my vote in the runoff election. Now, I want my preferred candidate to overwhelm me with assurance that I am making the right decision. If that doesn’t happen, then I’d like for the other candidate to change my mind.

Here’s my plan. I’m going to look and listen until runoff election day on April 13.

I want to see candidates out and about knocking on doors, attending and participating in events where voters are gathered.

Shelli Miller, the winning county clerk candidate, did an excellent job of being visible on the campaign trail. I saw her at a Heath City Council meeting. I saw her at a commissioners court meeting. I saw her at the county judge debate. And I believe that was Shelli Miller pounding campaign signs into the ground across from Royse City’s City Hall on election day.

I believe our county judge runoff candidates should be taking advantage of every opportunity to get first-hand information about what’s going on in county government. What better way to get that information than by attending commissioners court meetings?

Commissioners meet every Tuesday morning, and there were some pretty big topics on this week’s commissioners’ court agenda — new courthouse, veterans memorial, roads and road bond issues, 2010 census and county space issues.

And what do I want to hear? I want to hear the candidates talking about the new courthouse, veterans memorial, road and road bond issues, the 2010 census and county space issues. In other words, I’d like to hear fresh information on county projects, programs, needs, plans and, yes, issues.

That’s my plan. Sounds pretty simple. All I want to do is make the right decision when I vote on April 13.

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County judge decision based on ‘look and listen’ approach

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