To the Editor:
Last night, I attended a Sumter County Commission meeting in Bushnell reference the recommended closing of some of the polling locations in Sumter County. The Supervisor of Elections had previously stated that this action was being done to save money. Saving money is certainly a desired effect of any government. I addressed the Commission and asked that they delay their vote until this issue had been returned to the Supervisor of Elections and public input solicited. As you know, voting issues are a hot button issue. Concerns over illegal voting, gerrymandering, felon voting rights and closing of polls to negatively affect minority voters. They showed a complete disdain for any citizen input on this issue and passed the Supervisor of Elections proposal on a 4-1 vote, with only the Chair voting against the motion. President George Herbert Walker Bush stated, “If you have a plan, we want to hear it. Tell your community leaders, your local officials, your governor, and your team in Washington. Believe me, your ideas count. An individual can make a difference.” Evidently our ideas do not count with our County Commissioners. Perhaps, at election time our votes will show that we do count.
Jeff Yonce
Village of Duval