We want to take a moment to expound and reinforce on our previous comments regarding the choices to be made:
SHERIFF
After two terms, and a party change, Sheriff Tim Ingram drew a serious opponent in Glenn Willis - who seemed to start off well, but pretty much self-destructed.
Politics is often like poker - you have to pay to play. When officials are not held accountable at the polls by being challenged and they get free rides to another term, you get corruption and complacency.
So in principle it's good Sheriff Ingram drew an opponent, someone who has been willing to go out there and campaign so people have to think about their choices. But Willis simply hasn't proved he has the credentials to make a good replacement. Ultimately, his supporters mostly turned out to be the people who like don't having a sheriff, period. They want lax law enforcement and anarchy so they can do their on thing. Grudges and preferential treatment is no platform for a sheriff.
If Willis does manage to pull off an upset, it will be because of the way county employees in law enforcement very openly and obviously campaigned against him. People resented that officers and deputies showed up in uniform at the Republican candidates' forum at the Civic Center on Feb. 9 and cheered and clapped for Sheriff Ingram. People resent what looks like attempted intimidation, even when it is unintentional. It's not an accident that another term for a totalitarian government is a police state.
Texans are feisty and independent, and don't like being pushed around. However well-intentioned, the way some county employees advocated for Ingram probably hurt more than helped. Despite that, Willis didn't make the case that he would be a better public servant in that position.
Despite his mis-steps, there's always hope he learned from this experience and maybe in the future he will still have a useful role to play in community leadership. But not this year and not this job.
PRECINCT ONE COMMISSIONER
Going back to the poker analogy for politics, Al Riddle has always been willing to call a bluff on the commissioners court. Sometimes he's wrong, but you don't know what's wrong and what's right unless to ask questions.
His refusal to "go along and get along" has rubbed some people the wrong way, but we need someone like him to keep the others awake and on track when it comes to tax dollars. Most Titus County natives think local government is a private employment agency for themselves, and all contracts are "brother-in-law" deals. Riddle has been one voice to cut through the complacency and demand some accountability.
Both his opponents seem to have had trouble articulating good reasons why they deserve the job more than he does. They probably feel having deeper local roots (and more brothers-in-law) means they should have the job. If voters are willing to ditch a fiscal watchdog like Al Riddle because of pressure from family members and county employees, you deserve to be ripped off by the higher taxes you will get in the future.
PRECINCT THREE COMMISSIONER
Bobby Parr has been the standout in the race for this open seat created by the retirement of Phillip Hinton. He has a track record that voters can take some assurance from; while serving on the appraisal district board of directors he has been a diligent representative for the taxpayers without being mean-spirited or obstructionist. He will make a good commissioner.
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