A LESSON IN ELECTIONS
Read the following and then see if you understand why I have written it. Understand the contrast, unspoken though it may be for most of the article.
I was actually pleasantly surprised yesterday as I sat thru yet another election class. However, since Susan Bucher, in her continued attempts to modernize and streamline her office, has introduced the use of souped up specialized mini ipads into our elections, much of the material was new and even the way to reach old conclusions was different. Unfortunately the videos were the same old same old but bearable.
So what does this have to do with us here in CV? Well, first of all, we vote. But actually, primarily, because it was a lesson in how to run a fair election where no questionable tactics are allowed. And how does Susan make sure of this? Easy. She introduces classes, rules, oversight, warnings, policies, etc. At no time, ever, except when in the hands of the voter, is the ballot held in the hands of a partisan worker. Any procedure out of the ordinary must include workers from at least two parties. Even reinserting a ballot must be overseen if there is any hint of an issue.
From the onset, fair play is in place. Poll workers are from ALL parties, not just one. Ballots are counted by members of all parties. Ballots are emptied from the scanner storage box by members of all parties. Questions are addressed by members of all parties. At no time EVER is there one person alone with the ballots. Observers can be there from set up to close down.
Now, in case you need a little assistance in making the connection to CV, here it is. Our elections are the complete opposite. First, the very committee is partisan, totally. The workers are partisans and no opposition workers were called except for two at the very last minute after a fuss was being made. NO OBSERVERS were allowed in the voting room at all. Who can say for sure what happened with the ballots, especially when a good third or more of the delegates had no clue as to what was flying! People were allowed to vote EARLY and guess whose side they took? No challenge there, not with Gorodetzer running the show with able assistance from Ed Black.
Ballot boxes were carried up by.... Ed Black. Wow, that was impartial, right? NOT!!!! This same individual then went around telling people not to count the ballots at their individual tables as "they" would tabulate the results. That certainly reeks of something, not very pleasant at that. We know for sure that there were shenanigans going on with alternate delegates coming in early and voting as THEY wished, not as the residents of their association had voted and how the delegates were instructed to vote. We note that contrary to all rules of governance and the Freedom of Information Act, NO ORIGINAL papers were turned over though several requests were made and in return got heaps of abuse. Finally, they xeroxed the papers ALONE and would not allow the originals to be seen. Really now. And who knows what the hell was done to those originals.
So, the election here at CV was an exercise in futility, an example of crooked politics at its best, clumsy though their machinations were, and what is worse is that unless things are changed, the next election will be the same as King David Israel goes on in his quest as Dictator for Life as the life of the Village is squeezed out.
We need to insure that this situation changes. Storm the barricades if you must, but make your wishes clear - that things need to change and perhaps we can even approach Susan Bucher at an off time and ask for her help in setting up a fair and honest election. I dare you, David Israel. I dare you, Ed Black. I dare you, Marilyn Gorodetzer.
I was actually pleasantly surprised yesterday as I sat thru yet another election class. However, since Susan Bucher, in her continued attempts to modernize and streamline her office, has introduced the use of souped up specialized mini ipads into our elections, much of the material was new and even the way to reach old conclusions was different. Unfortunately the videos were the same old same old but bearable.
So what does this have to do with us here in CV? Well, first of all, we vote. But actually, primarily, because it was a lesson in how to run a fair election where no questionable tactics are allowed. And how does Susan make sure of this? Easy. She introduces classes, rules, oversight, warnings, policies, etc. At no time, ever, except when in the hands of the voter, is the ballot held in the hands of a partisan worker. Any procedure out of the ordinary must include workers from at least two parties. Even reinserting a ballot must be overseen if there is any hint of an issue.
From the onset, fair play is in place. Poll workers are from ALL parties, not just one. Ballots are counted by members of all parties. Ballots are emptied from the scanner storage box by members of all parties. Questions are addressed by members of all parties. At no time EVER is there one person alone with the ballots. Observers can be there from set up to close down.
Now, in case you need a little assistance in making the connection to CV, here it is. Our elections are the complete opposite. First, the very committee is partisan, totally. The workers are partisans and no opposition workers were called except for two at the very last minute after a fuss was being made. NO OBSERVERS were allowed in the voting room at all. Who can say for sure what happened with the ballots, especially when a good third or more of the delegates had no clue as to what was flying! People were allowed to vote EARLY and guess whose side they took? No challenge there, not with Gorodetzer running the show with able assistance from Ed Black.
Ballot boxes were carried up by.... Ed Black. Wow, that was impartial, right? NOT!!!! This same individual then went around telling people not to count the ballots at their individual tables as "they" would tabulate the results. That certainly reeks of something, not very pleasant at that. We know for sure that there were shenanigans going on with alternate delegates coming in early and voting as THEY wished, not as the residents of their association had voted and how the delegates were instructed to vote. We note that contrary to all rules of governance and the Freedom of Information Act, NO ORIGINAL papers were turned over though several requests were made and in return got heaps of abuse. Finally, they xeroxed the papers ALONE and would not allow the originals to be seen. Really now. And who knows what the hell was done to those originals.
So, the election here at CV was an exercise in futility, an example of crooked politics at its best, clumsy though their machinations were, and what is worse is that unless things are changed, the next election will be the same as King David Israel goes on in his quest as Dictator for Life as the life of the Village is squeezed out.
We need to insure that this situation changes. Storm the barricades if you must, but make your wishes clear - that things need to change and perhaps we can even approach Susan Bucher at an off time and ask for her help in setting up a fair and honest election. I dare you, David Israel. I dare you, Ed Black. I dare you, Marilyn Gorodetzer.
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