Partisan Politics Get Personal
By Warren Bender
In an effort to bolster her campaign, a candidate for a partisan elected office recently besmirched the good name of all county and city employees, whether elected or appointed, partisan or nonpartisan, by saying her opponents “were typical older county candidates”; that administrators are “well paid and minimally accountable”; and, they have a “part-time work schedule, take long vacations and basically live a semi-retired lifestyle.”
Many county and city employees work many long hours…
I personally know many of the county and city employees, and they work many long hours, often off the clock and out of schedule, to get the job done well and on time. With current technology, an elected official or employee can attend a meeting from anywhere in the world with internet and cell phone. It is not uncommon for an elected official or employee to take time out of a vacation or day off to attend a meeting, take a call or answer an email.
I admit I am an older person, a senior citizen, who works many hours weekly for very little pay. I have been elected five times for Superior City Council. I answer calls and emails or have face-to-face conversations about the city, county — and even Superior Water, Light & Power. It doesn’t matter where or when. It is my “service above self.”
Please thank a county or city employee the next time you see one. Thank you.
Editor’s Note: Mr. Bender is referring to statements made by Kara Schmidt, former candidate for Douglas County Register of Deeds. See her statement by clicking HERE.
Ms. Schmidt received support from Graham Garfield, Superior City Councilor and also her companion. His letter of support can be seen HERE.
Bender is the brother of Gayle Wahner, outgoing Douglas County Register of Deeds, who did not seek re-election.