Editor, Times-Union: I am not a politician, nor do I ever aspire to be one, but I know one when I see one. With the election of some key people in the county coming up, I would like to explain a bit of what has happened over the last year as our group tried to gain support for clean water and clean air by limiting the CAFOs in the county and delegating where they can be built.
Some of us met with a state representative, only to be told at the end of the meeting that they didn’t represent us. Two of the representatives admitted they had no idea of what a CAFO really was or the pros or cons of one. Neither seemed very interested in furthering their education about the issue.
Our senator could not give a good reason for not seeing the whole picture, when it came to touring more than just one CAFO. Why not tour a sustainable farm and a cooperative farm, also? Our state is a great agriculture state and we have good farmers. We also have a governor who wants to keep the CAFOs coming at the expense of people like you and me.
Now, an election will be held and the other party contacted me, not once, but twice, offering to help in the CAFO issue. What’s more, both men agreed to educate themselves on the issue at hand and see what we are facing. I do realize they would like for their party to be elected but what is the government supposed to be?
I have always heard that it is “of the people, for the people, and by the people.” What I have found to be true, at the local level, is vote for your own self interest. Keep your job on the APC and the county commissioners so you can control what happens. Conflict of interest does not represent the little guy. On the state level, it is vote the way your group is voting, never mind what the real issues might be.
Please find out what each candidate is all about before you cast your vote. You might find that you will no longer be comfortable with the party you have been supporting. If you find some candidates who are willing to become educated about all issues at hand, by all means consider them when it is your turn to make a difference.
