Local Democrats Display Uncivilized Behavior At Redistricting Meeting

Democrat Party Chairman Dan Combs and local Democrat activist Don Moore provided another unbecoming display at the recent redistricting organizational meeting. What people witnessed was the epitome of incivility. During the meeting Democrat Party Chairman Dan Combs was disruptive by attempting to talk over local resident John Newlin while he attempted to speak on behalf of the redistricting process. Mr. Newlin was interrupted several times before he turned to Mr. Combs and asked him to refrain from his interruptions since he was previously allowed the opportunity to speak without interruptions. After the meeting ended Don Moore resorted to finger pointing and harsh words for Libertarian Party Leader Margaret Fette, he took opposition with her for calling the current districts gerrymandered. In an obnoxious and demeaning outburst Moore accused Mrs. Fette and her Libertarian Party of being “insignificant” in our community. The Democrat Party Leadership has once again shown their ugly side by utilizing an intimidating shout down tactic that has worked well for them in the past. Ironically this type of amateurish and childish behavior is from the same group that claims to want civility to resonate throughout the county.

Interestingly enough the Herald Times failed to report either of these incidents in their coverage of the meeting. Kurt Van der Dussen wrote the article, which reportedly was not seen in attendance at the meeting. Since the meeting was not televised someone that was not given credit in the article must have covered it. Instead of balancing the articles’ content by highlighting Mr. Newlin’s support for redistricting Mr. Van der Dussen reported the partisan opposition of Democrat activist Scott Wells. Van der Dussen did however include County attorney David Schilling’s response to Dan Combs’ accusations that the Republicans were "trying to cram this in before the end of the year". Schilling pointed out that back in 2001 the county redistricting panel, which the former Democrat-controlled commissioners had appointed, squeezed its entire process into October and November of that year adding that was less time than the current committee will have. Again Combs’ has proven his total disregard for the facts by throwing out these baseless and unfounded allegations against this legal and necessary process.

The tactics by the Democrat Party is increasingly disenchanting citizens of Monroe County. Their win at any cost philosophy seems to always resort to this type of manipulative brainwashing. They don’t want fairness they want it all and that includes every elected office at every level at any cost. They talk of bipartisanship but they don’t play the part that is unless they happen to be in minority. The voting public deserves redistricting because redistricting will clean up the boundaries; make them more compact and more equal in population. I am hopeful the Republican Party’s proposal will better comply with the law and furthermore, if its done correctly, it will be difficult to improve upon until the next US Census in 2010. With the revised voting districts and the new voter identification laws that will be in place by the next election I am hopeful the citizens of Monroe County will be able to appreciate the hard work that has went into making the 2006 election, what some have suggested, to be the first fair election in Monroe County in years. We will all be able to take comfort in knowing the phrase one person; one vote will truly mean something. Hopefully the disruptive tactics by a handful of local Democrats will be seen for what they really are, insulting.