As seen in Williamson County….
It’s here, as advertised for a couple of issues: Disclosure‘s Election Edition 2014! The Election Edition is a preview of the contested offices in our coverage area, from all regions: Egypt, Central and Heartland. And while there aren’t a LOT of contested offices, sadly enough, the ones that are up are hot tickets: Sheriff, County Clerk, judicial retention, county board offices. We have it. And it’s on stands throughout the coverage area RIGHT NOW…but only for two more weeks. Think you’re reading all about your candidates in your local mainstream news coverage? think again. There are several IMPORTANT races going on that have literally horror stories attached to them…and we’re the only news outlet brave enough to bring them to you. Print headlines are broken up into sections as presented in the paper: Front page, Back page (serves as a second front page), pages 2 and 3, features if present on the center section (this month, pages 12 and 13), Egypt, Heartland and Central, then Op-Ed. Print headlines are presented by dateline (the location where the material in the article is from), headline with a link directly to the e-Edition version of the article, and a brief synopsis. Here now are your Print Headlines for the Election Edition 2014!
FRONT PAGE
Mike Mefford
LAWRENCE CO.—Candidate investigated for misuse of Xmas funds: We’ve always said that the ALA—the Area Law Enforcement Association, which should of course be “A-L-E-A” but look at who we’re talking about here—in Lawrence County is a joke and that no one should support it. Now, here’s proof…and it so happens that there’s hard evidence that the one who started it was helping himself to the funds the “charitable group” was trying so hard to raise. The alleged official misconduct in this article is astonishing, and typifies what we’re seeing, not just in downstate Illinois, but all over the country, as officials apparently have come to believe they’re above the law…so this article will be of interest to EVERYONE.
SALINE CO.—Common sense approach for sheriff: Another battle taking place this election season is for the office of sheriff in Saline County. Both candidates have mentioned “Mayberry” in their run for the office; both of them have a more realistic view toward the concept, however, one has ways he believes it can be implemented. This is the first of two articles about that race; read them and see which one YOU believe is more viable.
SALINE CO.—Mystery pre-election bombshell could backfire: Something happened at the Carrier Mills village board meeting on deadline that was an apparent attempt at influencing the sheriff’s race in Saline County…however, because a certain convicted child molester in Saline is so transparent, the whole matter is kind of a no-brainer as to who’s behind it. Is this what you want supporting your next sheriff in Saline…? Read this article to be a FULLY-INFORMED voter; don’t cast a ballot until you do.
BACK PAGE
Sheriff’s candidate and former White County sheriff Jerry O’Neal
WHITE CO.—A tale of two sheriffs: former boss of current sheriff returns to run for office in White Co.: The lead to this one says it all—“Talk about your hard choices.” Voters in White County have the option of keeping the current sheriff, or voting in a former sheriff. Fascinating situation…and both candidates are handling it with great aplomb.
Will Hudson, running for judge in Wabash
WABASH CO.—Wabash County judicial seat offers opportunity for young lawyers: However, WHO is vying for this opportunity…and are either one of them qualified? Read this article and see. Also, this one contains the much-coveted sheriff’s office as well. Don’t miss out on reading about the machinations behind all of this…you’re going to be intrigued.
PAGE 2
WILLIAMSON CO.—Williamson Co. property taxes: Conclusion of examination of ‘buddy discounts’: Not the final installment of Lily Abbott’s examination into the doings of the tax assessor in Williamson County, but it is the conclusion of the specific cases…which are many and which, if handled properly, could have brought the county MILLIONS in revenue over the years.
PAGE 3
FEATURE—Punishing Fuel Efficiency: Per-Gallon Gas Tax will be replaced by Mileage Tax: Are you watching carefully who you’ll be voting for on the state level? This is but one of the multitude of things we want to watch out FOR. Where are your candidates standing on such a thing? Be sure you check their records…something like this could end the freedom of movement that we’ve all become accustomed to in this country, and it’s verging on occurring everywhere.
EGYPT
D. Keith Brown, Saline County Sheriff
SALINE CO.—Brown hopes to retain office of sheriff in Saline: The incumbent is posing a formidable challenge to the opposing candidate in Saline. Keith Brown may have his detractors, but his record speaks for itself. Learn more about him in this article.
GALLATIN CO.—Gallatin has public question on sales tax for schools; no notable races: The Republicans just aren’t making a strong showing in GallCo this year, but that likely won’t impact voter turnout, as the public sales tax question is the big draw on the ballot.
WILLIAMSON CO.—Incumbent Barnes looking to retain seat as county clerk/recorder in Williamson: The county clerk’s race in Williamson, this interview being with the woman who holds the office currently. Read about her long-term tenure in office here.
WILLIAMSON CO.—“A Fresh Look” is the slogan for Liz Lively for county clerk in Williamson: Barnes’ opponent is also a qualified candidate; compare their backgrounds by reading the article about Liz Lively.
SALINE CO.—Tolley campaign touts him as the one Saline County needs: Bruce Tolley has been in the page of Disclosure just about as often as the incumbent for the office he’s seeking has been. How do their qualifications stack up? Start here in your quest to learn about Saline County Clerk and the two seeking the office.
SALINE CO.—Buchanan battles to keep clerk seat: The embattled Kim Buchanan is looking to keep her office of county clerk in this election in the face of Bruce Tolley’s challenge. Read up on Kim and her qualifications here.
SALINE CO.—Saline County ballot full of selections for county board; many judges up for retention: Who all is up for judicial retention in the First Judicial Circuit? A LOT of judges this go-round; be a fully-informed voter in the First!
PULASKI CO.—Only in So. Illinois: Sheriff seeks re-election despite MULTIPLE federal sex settlements: Remember Randy Kern from 2010? And then his wife and his arsonist kid and his allegedly gun-running daughter-in-law? Well, ALL of that….all OF IT…pales in comparison with what’s going on in the most recent case, set up right there in Pulaski County, where Kern won by only 58 votes in 2010. Can the “Boob Bandit” be defeated this year? Find out the answer to that (and to the reason why he’s called the Boob Bandit) by reading this explosive article.
PAGE 12
WILLIAMSON CO.—Battle for seat on Williamson County Board: One of the few contested offices this year in Williamson County is for the county board seat Ron Ellis currently holds. Who is his contender, Dennis Falmer, and what are his qualifications? What are Ellis’ qualification? Read this to see.
PAGE 13
ILLINOIS—Ballot propositions an annoyance this year: Remember all that stuff you’ve been getting in the mail about the Constitutional amendments? We’ve broken it down for you, providing you with a clear and concise way to consider this before you go to cast your vote. Five ballot questions appear throughout the state; don’t cast a vote until you read and are informed about them.
HEARTLAND
Ed Motley
EDGAR CO.—Three-way sheriff’s race highlights Edgar County ballot; judicial retention interesting: There’s an independent candidate in this year’s Edgar County sheriff’s election, and we’re anxious to see if it’s going to mess up anything going on between the two main parties.
JASPER CO.—Jasper ballot contains sheriff’s race: And it’s a hotly-contested one, especially given that one of the candidates has a background in being the subject of a federal civil lawsuit involving the violation of a restrained suspect’s rights. Jasper County voters might just not know about this atrocity; but read this article, and you’ll find out for yourself.
CRAWFORD CO.—Qualified candidates for sheriff, county clerk and county board in Crawford County: There’s an abundance of election information coming out of Crawford County this year, so voters, take heed.
CRAWFORD CO.—Other Crawford Co. ballot contenders: Crawford County this year is admirably full of ballot selections. This is going to be one busy election night come November 4.
CENTRAL
RICHLAND CO.—Richland candidates for sheriff face-off in clean campaigns; experience here is key: Another county where two good candidates have emerged for the office of sheriff, and to their credit, they’ve both run a very clean race.
LAWRENCE CO.—Incumbent sheriff seeks to keep office in Lawrence County; notes service to community: Russell Adams has come to be viewed in Lawrence as a very favored sheriff. Will he prevail on November 4? The people will speak and will let us know…we’ll be keeping an eye on it on election night.
WAYNE CO.—County clerk race only one in Wayne; Molt set to be judge despite not knowing FOIA: Wayne County, despite its size and (now-dwindling) population, can’t seem to get anyone to even RUN for an elected office these days. The one exception would be the race for county clerk, which sees a county board member challenging the one-term incumbent.
HAMILTON CO.—Hamilton County sheriff’s race sees much experience with both candidates: Another sheriff’s race of high interest in the region is that of Hamilton County sheriff. Read how the candidates’ experience stacks up.
EDWARDS CO.—One contested office in Edwards Co.: Ordinarily, Edwards County does see contested races across the board, but this year, there’s only one. Find out what it is and who’s challenging whom in this article.
CLAY CO.—New judge to be selected in Clay County: Sherri Tungate is retiring and leaving a vacancy in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. That information as well as Clay County ballot infer is featured in this article.
OP-ED
SURLY & UNCOOPERATIVE (Jack): A look at what muddies the election waters
ICY (Ang): Perpetual bad mood going into election season
MINKUS INK (Bubba): Today’s wars are all about the money
REDHEAD RAMPAGE (Lyndi): You should educate yourself on the election process; it’s IMPORTANT
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letters): Gallatin County Fair Board, Benton Fire Department