OPINION: One vote in opposition to T-SPLOST

In the end, I voted against it because there’s already a mechanism for raising revenue to build and improve roads — the motor fuels tax. I voted against T-SPLOST because all of the politicians who have taken the Grover Norquist tax pledge then told voters that if we want safe roads we should tax ourselves. My vote was the result of anger against legislators who are afraid to make the tough but necessary decisions, who worry so much about re-election that they’re incapable of doing the responsible thing.

Maybe in five years I’ll regret my choice; if so, I’ll live with it.

And I know the thought of it makes Kelley Gary and Ron Johnson cringe, but I voted in the Republican primary.

I put the X beside Janis Mangum’s name for sheriff. I’ve nothing against the other candidates, but Mangum was the investigator who handled a case that was important to me. She did a thorough job, got a conviction and a long sentence, and treated all of the victims and witnesses with care and compassion.

Granted, being a good investigator does not necessarily translate into being a good administrator, which is what a sheriff is, but I felt like I owed her my vote.

Likewise, I cast my ballot for Chas Hardy in the District 2 board of commissioners’ race and for Hunter Bicknell as chairman of the board of commissioners.

Hardy’s done solid work as a commissioner. He’s smart, knowledgeable and has a strong record of community service that neither of his opponents can match. That’s why I voted for him four years ago, and nothing he’s done in the past four years has made me re-think that vote.

It’s not that I’ve been in agreement with everything Bicknell’s done. Not by a long shot. But I appreciate the fact that he’s a political moderate with no hidden agenda, that he seeks consensus among all parties to any issue. While that particular trait doomed his ill-fated congressional run, it’s — at least to my way of thinking — an asset in local government, particularly since the chairman is supposed to represent Commerce as well as Jefferson — and every other part of the county.

My opinion and $1 will buy you a cup of coffee, but it isn’t going to sway an election. However you lean, you’ve got more choices this year than we’ve had in ages. That, at least, has been nice.
If you haven’t already, exercise that choice at the ballot box.

Mark Beardsley is the editor of The Commerce News. He lives in Commerce.