Mr. Robinson States He Does Not Want To Be A Commissioner At Public Meeting

If Ronnie has begun to realize what politics is really like in Clay HE HAS A RIGHT TO WONDER if he really wants to be one. You sure couldn't pay me enough to do it  I liken it to putting an egg back in the shell. It will take 5 like minded and strong commissioners to tackle the mess in G.C.S.

I wasn't really taking Ronnie Robinson seriously since it appeared that he was only running because the BOCC made him mad about something.  From the looks of the contributions though, some people are taking him seriously.  He has an advantage when it comes to name recognition, that alone may get him elected.  A lot more people have seen or heard him on television than will have heard him at a debate or forum.  For those people that vote by selecting the only name they recognize on the ballot, he is going to stand out. 

J.D., I suggest you go back to talking about the issues on myclaysun rather than the weather because time is running out.  I will keep reading.

Packy, you are supporting Rutledge?

I would wager there was more to the statement that is being left out. I wasn't there but seeing how Packy is a Rutledge Supporter who is just now coming out there is certainly some basis to wonder if that remark was repeated out of context.

Its only easy to run when you're part of the portion of the Republican Party who are trying to control everything.

Mr Robinson is not my choice for D5 Commissioner.  Even though we're in dissagreement over a few things I believe our best choice for D5 is JD.  He doesn't have a five generation family tree in the county, has never held an office before and is our best chance for a Commissioner who is going to listen to the people of Clay County.

I may be campaigning against him in four years if he does not fullfill that obligation but for right now he's not only the right choice for D5, he's the right choice for the BCC as a whole.

http://www.ctlac.com/

I had a great time at this meeting. It was a free style, get up and talk for 3-4 minutes and time yourself. Nearly everyone stuck to the 3-4 minute time frame and even those that went over didn't do so by much.

There was a good turnout of candidates. 10 for BoCC and one for School Board D4. The D5 incumbent was not able to attend due to his teaching schedule but did fax his bio.

What was really great was that unlike the REP Forums there were people there that I had never seen before. Super audience, and there were a couple of good questions at the end. I wish we could have had another hour of questions but they had to go back to work. It was nice to see so many people that were willing to give up their lunch hour to listen to a bunch of candidates.

OK, enough pandering to the crowd. 

I'll cover Ronnie in another post. 

Mike Heemer

Are you serious? Ronnies is more a part of old Clay politics than any body running. The only fresh uncontrolled person in Dist 5 is Dan. I have a lot of respect for you and Fred but your political thoughts are becoming very contradictary. I have to wonder what you really want. Maybe you kneed a little more factual background about Clay politics, after all there is a lot of Mis-conception out there perpetrated by the rumor mills

I don't have a dog in the D5 Commissioner fight but I do when it comes to people reporting half the story with an agenda to smear someone to make their choice look good.

I also heard Ronnie say that he didn't want to be a Commissioner. Now, there was a lot more to that statement than has been reported so far.

He also talked about how he hesitated and thought about it for a long time before he decided to run. His hesitation was with whether or not he really wanted to deal with all the politics involved.

I felt that was the story behind that statement. Not that he specifically didn't want the job; just that he didn't like all of this type of stuff. Could he have worded it better? Perhaps. But I didn't take this to mean that he didn't want the job or that he couldn't do the job. I don't doubt one bit that he could do the job if he is elected.  

I don't doubt one bit that Ronnie doesn't like HR. But from all I've seen and heard it is not so much personal as it is a severe lack of satisfaction with HR's performance as a Commissioner.

There seems to be a lot of that going around. As I said, I can't vote in D5 but if I could I'd be looking to get someone new in there. I've certainly been impressed with both of the other candidate's knowledge, ideas and desire to serve the voters of Clay County.

So, take in packy's statement then think about the 'Paul Harvey' version.

Come to think of it, I do have a dog in that fight. Just like everyone else does. I may not be able to vote in D5 but whoever wins is going to be 1/5th or 1/7th of the Board so, yes, I am concerned about who wins there.

Mike Heemer

I don't know how you read what I said as any endorsement of Ronnie Robinson other then I support his right to run and his right to put up those signs Packy is fussing about. Those signs have just gone up in the last few weeks so the argument that some of them are in the right of way holds no more power then those of other candidates who've violated signage rules.

I've disclosed on several occassions that my interest in local politics has only been in the last couple of years and I have no problem admitting what I don't know however that does not preclude me from basing an opinion on knowledge that is more limited then some.  You've got people out there voting for people based upon their political party alone so those of us who haven't been involved in local politics for decades aren't the worst of the voting public.

I see no contradiction at all Ex, and if by some chance I change my mind about something how does that make me any less credible then candidates or incumbants who change their minds.

I am not supporting Ronnie Robinson, I am voting for JD. 

By the way, Fred just called having driven past the Lake Asbury area to tell me that those signs Packy is fussing about have been vandalized, destroyed. I wonder how many other campaign signs will be destroyed in the next 48hrs thinking it can be blamed on the coming storm.

http://www.ctlac.com/

I had thought you were for Dan then I couldn't tell. I can be a little slow at times and I do greatly respect your openness and didn't mean to sound offense. It's hard to do tounge in cheek on here when you can't see my cheek You will see many more signs destryed I am sure and I can tell you it is rarely a candidate is involed. Politics in Clay is a contact sport which is why so few people want to run. There are still some of those signs in L.A area and one on a trailer which I think is real dedication, for what ever reason.

 One thing certtain Rutlege appears to be losing but I couldn't believe he got elected in '04

You weren't offensive in the least, I was just surprised that you drew that conclusion based upon what I'd said.  I supported JD for the primary even when Fred was a candidate.  It is enlightening to those of us who haven't been paying attention to the game for decades or haven't lived here for 20+ years to hear what people like you have to say.  History matters and those of you who've been around to witness that history can be a great service to those of us who haven't.  I wish more people like you would share what they know here in the blogs.

In speaking to someone over the phone this last weekend about everything they made a very valid point.  Those people born and raised in Clay or those who have lived here for so long all know each other.  You hear references made to the "Lancaster Group" or other names that don't come to mind at the moment you have to stop and realize Clay County isn't a big place, especially for those long time residents, it's a small world.  People know people, or one of their relatives, or a good friend etc.  If you started literally drawing connecting lines on a chalk board you could run out of chalk, or room.  Trying to decipher a childhood or adolescent link and a political one is rather tough.  First you have to trust that those people are giving you a somewhat accurate accounting.  I only know one or two of those. 

I run into people who think I know alot about what is going on when in reality I know little, but I am making the effort.  I am open about it because I want other people to realize that just because you've not lived here for decades doesn't mean you can't find out, figure it out, and it doesn't mean you're not entitled to an opinion based upon what you DO know.   People will use your lack of information against you in trying to shut you up but I want people to get involved, even if you're a "newbie", be it the blogs or politics. 

People who have lived here forever are a treasure of knowledge, and those that haven't can offer a different perspective at times.  Together, old and new, we can do great things together.  There is no shame in not knowing the answer, there is only shame in not searching for it. 

http://www.ctlac.com/

You asked if I was supporting Commisioner Rutlledge.  If I lived in D5 would I vote for Commisioner Rutledge?  Hmmm let me see...

1) An Eagle Scout

2) A 20 year deputy sherriff veteran

3) Teacher at Clay High School (Criminal Justice program)

4) Cut our Tax bill by $49,000,000 (49 million dollars)

5) An ACTIVE advocate in protecting the ST John's River

6) Fights to improve our failing road system

YEP...He would have my vote.

packy;

I have two problems with your list of reasons to vote Rutledge and they both have to do with the tax cut.

1. Cut our Tax bill by $49,000,000 (49 million dollars) Now I don't doubt that he supported the tax cut. Especially during an election year. But Mr. Bradley has already laid claim to that tax cut.

At a very early forum I heard the words that as soon as he was appointed he went to the city manager and wanted to know 'how low can we go?'

So now we have 2 candidates claiming they were the one that got us the huge tax cut. Funny how they are both up for election. I guess the other 3 didn't have to support or vote for that tax cut.

2. Fights to improve our failing road system. Perhaps he should have considered keeping the taxes where they were and using that $49M to fix a few more roads. We are going to pay for that at some time. It would have been cheaper now than later.

Mike Heemer

Rutledge accomplishments 1, 2, and 3 are irrelevant. They are in the past. Expound on 4, 5, and 6. What are his future plans for his district?

If someone knows any of his accomplishments that have benefited his constituents (District 5) please enlighten the blogging community.

I can not think of any.

let's go back and see...

 who ever voted for this voted against the voters wishes.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle

Maixe,

We may just have the brick bats and laurels category for Rutledge.

One brick bat are there any laurels anyone?