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December 02, 2005
Brian Dennert - Guest Blogger
Dennert here. I have my own blog
here at the Star. I normally write about Ventura County Politics. Tim Keaney and I are doing a cross promotion where we guest blog on each other's site. I can't wait to see what trouble he is thinking up. If you want up to date information about who is running, what the latest word on the street is, or where the next event is go to my
But for
news you are in the right
I read this story a couple of months back and it caught my eye to say the least:
Man in jail elected to school board
• A newly elected school board member in the Romoland,
Calif., school district won’t be attending many board meetings -- he is in jail.
Randy Logan Hale declared his candidacy in August, then was returned to prison in September for violating his parole on 1998 convictions for spousal abuse and drug possession. Law enforcement officials are conducting an investigation to determine whether Hale broke the law in getting his name on the ballot.
Hale received 831 votes in the Nov. 8 election, making him the third-highest vote getter and thus the winner of one of three open positions on the Romoland school board, says Superintendent Roland Skumawitz. The district, about 70 miles north of San Diego, has just two schools, both of them elementaries.
“I have no idea why he ran,” Skumawitz says, noting that Hale never went to any school board meetings or candidate forums.
And he doesn’t know why so many people voted for Hale. It’s been speculated that Hale probably got votes because his name was at the top of the ballot.“It’s like when you’re looking for a plumber in the yellow pages and you select AAA,”
Skumawitz says.
I am not attacking school boards. God knows they are mostly filled with community minded people.
But what is wrong with these voters? Every last one of them should be ashamed of themselves. Our students are literally our future, and they put that future into the hands of a man behind prison bars?
We know tax payers want well funded schools. We know they want to see value for thier dollar and progress. But, do they really know what is going on? If we can't trust voters to read simple ballot statements and vote for people NOT IN JAIL, can we trust them with anything?
People talk about impeaching Presidents....but is there any way to impeach voters?
Love to hear your thoughts...
Comments
Tim,
Who do you blame in this case?
Scott,
Do you think voters care if candidates attend debates?
Brian
I have the answer to your question about how Mr. Hale beat the competition if he didn't campaign. You're going to kill yourself for not figuring this out yourself.
Two words: Steve Gould
Haven't figured it out? 2000 election... top of the ballot!!
Posted by: Alan at December 8, 2005 12:54 PMSo, should the voters be punished? Or since the will of the voters was determined should he make education policy? I say punish the voters.
BUT Steve Gould did campaign. Maybe not as much as you or he would of liked to of, but this guy was in jail!
Brian,
Wow, finally someone has the guts to attack the voters directly. Way to go!
I wish we could fine them for the cost of figuring out if the guy can serve from jail.
But, before I forget, I wonder what was wrong with the other candidates that they couldn't beat someone who didn't campaign?
Posted by: brian at December 3, 2005 01:59 AMBrian