Editorial: Primary more important than believed

Editorial
Published: June 2, 2008

Word has it that Tuesday’s primary elections could draw a very low turnout. That’s disappointing.

Sure, the November election with presidential heavyweights is already stealing the thunder from Tuesday’s decision, but that’s no excuse for people not to take the time to exercise their rights and select their leaders.

Granted, Tuesday’s ballot doesn’t have the star power.

The most pressing elections locally include the races for the Lee County Commission’s third district between Republicans Raymond Grier and Gary Long, and the Lee County Board of Education first district between Mark Tomlin and Milford Burkhalter.

Just because the Grier-Long matchup isn’t flashed on CNN every hour on the hour, don’t think it’s not important to the county.

Just because the Tomlin-Burkhalter race isn’t debated on FOX News, don’t think it’s not important to the future of children attending Lee County Schools.

These races will very likely determine the votes and decisions in the future that directly shape our county. 

How much of a direct impact will national candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or John McCain have locally?

The election glance on this page today is an effort to give readers a better understanding of the candidates that appear on this Tuesday’s ballot.

Sure, voting for Criminal Court of Appeals Place 2 may not be inspiring to some voters, but we hope readers will know the candidates a little bit better and won’t head to the polls without some knowledge of the candidates they are casting their vote for.

If you aren’t planning to vote Tuesday, try to find time to do so.

Show the rest of the state that the residents of Lee County care about what happens in local, state and national government.