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