It's Time To Vote
Like it or not,
it's election time in West Virginia. Some say, throw out all
the bums!! Others comment, I ain't voting, there's no point in
it! Still others will take the time to sit down and figure out
which candidates would be best for County Clay. That latter
group, the informed group, should be reading this article.
There have been election seasons where valid, thinking
candidates for office were in short supply. That ain't the
case this year. Up for public approval this time around are
State Senate House of Delegate, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk,
One County Commissioner, and three School Board members.
Current Circuit Clerk Connie Workman is running unopposed. In
every other contest, there will be a contest, battle really.
On the Demorat side, Clayberry is now in a realigned
State Senate district. Our current Senator Mike Romano (D)
chose not to run again. We are now District 8 which runs
clear down past Cross Lanes into Putnam County. The incumbent
(from his old district which is now in ours) is Richard D
Lindsay II. Right here from home but on the Repub side, Mark
Mitchum is a long shot but on the ballot none the less.
Because Senator Lindsay has experience on the job, is a
thinking Demo, and has been in this county several times
shaking babies and hand shaking, we're giving the nod to him.
In the House of Delegates, there is only one candidate.
A Republicrap named Roger Hanshaw. We have two choices in that
contest. Vote for his anti worker efforts or not vote at all.
Here in Clayberry, Oh boy!
We have two in the race for County Commission.
Incumbent Fran King (D) is seeking reelection. Her challenger
is Joyce Johnson (D) , also from the Ivydale area. Both
candidates are darn good choices but but but, if Joyce is
elected and due to her close connections with Commissioner
David Schoolcraft and because she would be brand new at the
game, we feel that would give Schoolcraft the quorum he needs
to get and do anything he wants. Yeah, we know Fran is the
Mouth of the South but she can think independently and do a
good job for everybody in this Hamlet of Clay.
After watching Dave work behind closed doors, away from
the public, and artfully word the mis-truth, we think that
would be a bad thang for County Clay.
There's a real battle in the Circuit Clerk's race after
long time Clerk Mike Asbury chose not to run again. Demorat
candidates in that contest include Jason Hubbard, Clarissa
Hanshaw, and Dwana Murphy here's the run down. On the other
side, we understand there is a Republicrap running in
November.
Hubbard has made quite the name for himself while
serving as Town Mayor and on Town Council. He has shows good
thinking skills especially during the tough times like when
the Town was in national cross hairs after the other Mayor
spoke in racial terms during the "Ape in High Heals" episode.
Hubbard's words were well received while in the media
spotlight.
Also with some fame from her time on Town Council is
Dwana. Her time in Town land came to a screeching halt and was
voted off the island. Dwana has a habit of not taking things
seriously. She kind of just fluffs off important stuff without
sufficient thinking.
Hanshaw has decades of experience working in the
Circuit Clerk's office. Hands down she has the skills to be a
great worker, shows up for work, greats all with a smile,
knows the puter system, but does she have the leadership
needed for that office.
With one with lots of experience and the other with
experience in elected office, we think this race is an
absolute tie between Hubbard and Hanshaw.
Now for the biggy in local politics.
Candidates for Clayberry Sch Bd include: Phoebe
Nichols(A), Carrie Dunmire, (A), Cheryl White (A), Morgan
Triplett (B), Dave Mullins (A), Nichole Brook Jones (C), and
Lo Nutter (B). The incumbents are Dave Mullins (A), Morgan
Triplett (B), and Cheryl White (A).
This contest can get dicey due to State Code
requirements that allow just 2 Boardsters from any one of our
three districts.
Here's our take.
Dave Mullins started out as a bus driver followed by a
Union Rep for Service Personnel. For decades, that's the
voting block Mullins depended on stay in office. Things
changed in a bad way for Mullins in 2022. He was the pivot
person, the Bd Chair for tons of rotten stuff in school land.
Stuff like telling the world he nor the Superintendent would
answer ANY questions during public meetings; talking out both
sides of his mouth to a school system widow who just wanted
benefits due her late husband, loosing a long on the books
School Excess Levy, and sitting thru the High School
Insurrection, come to mind. We think Mullins' voting block is
busted in half. If he gets elected this time around, he can
never be defeated.
Morgan Triplett is a heck of good man but walks in the
shadow of Dave Mullins. Morgy almost always votes which ever
way Mullins does. We think the Mullin's stench will pull down
Triplett
Finally for incumbents comes Cheryl White who has been
on the Board for 8 years. During her tenure, Ms White
has asked questions on the sensitive stuff like what happened
to those H E White grants and sought clearer, easier to
digest, monthly financial statements. While doing her
thing, you could see other Boardsters turn blue followed by
red.
She showed her independence in 2022 when she voted
against the majority and sought the CHS Principal Crystal
Gibson be fired instead of being given a cushy out of the lime
light on the shelf job.
The problem is, she may get booted out also in the
shadow of Dave Mullins regime.
Now for the challengers ans in no particular order:
Phoebe Nichols, Brooke Jones, Lo Nutter, and Carrie Dunmire
who have been attending Sch Bd meetings on a regular basis.
Some have been taking notes. All of em have shown an interest
in what's going on. All have or have had kids in this school
system. Here's the worst part for the incumbents. All the
challengers have a brain and know how to use it.
Our predictions:
Of the incumbents, there's a chance that Cheryl White
may retain her seat. May! If that miracle happens, that leaves
space for two newbees.
It's sad for Morgy to be so attached to Mullins and go
down in flames because of that reason. How bad is it for Dave
Mullins? This year he actually had a few campaign signs up
around the county.
Go back up at the top and look at the district each
candidate lives in. Remember, you can only have two reps
from any one of the three districts.
Because Mullins lives in A district, he has to come in
as first or second place finisher to stay in office. Uh oh,
Phoebe, Cheryl (incumbent), Carrie and Dave (incumbent) live
in the same District, A. If any of those top two contenders
get more votes than Dave, he's out even if he comes in third.
As a matter of fact, if any two of those other District A
folks are top vote getters, only one can be seated.
Sit down with pen and paper and figure it for
yourself.
Voting is about the most important thing you can
do as an American. We hope every registered voters
exercises their right to vote. Our guess on voter turnout?
Less than 35% will mark a ballot.
AW