Our Election edition 2016 is all delivered, subs mailed, and e-Edition is running hot right now and that's all because of what's in this issue, the only one you're getting in October, because what else is coming up but ELECTION 2016.
This is where you find the rundown of all the candidates running for contested offices this year (except the national race...we're just not doing it this year, unlike the lib paper already has), and this year, we're doing things a little differently because despite all admonitions to the contrary, there just isn't a lot of contesting of races on the local level...so we developed a guide at the outset of each article telling you what's contested, and what's not; it looks like this:
With the exception of the Front Page/Back Page breakdown, this month's print headlines are presented mostly as they appear in the print version, front to back, so we're not presenting them in sections; they are presented by dateline (where the material in the article takes place), headline link, then a brief synopsis in our own snarky Disclosure style...so here they are, THIS MONTH'S PRINT HEADLINES.
FRONT PAGE
SALINE CO. - Conspiracy to control state politics uncovered in Southern Illinois: This is it, folks....what we've worked on for more than a year, picking out the dots and connecting them...and it's a scary scenario. When people with an endless supply of money (no matter whether how they got it was by hard work or by hardly working...) are selecting your political candidates years in advance and grooming them to become what THEY want them to be....we're all in trouble. We've seen it on the world stage and how it affects us here in America. Now read about it on the downstate stage and do the right thing - vote CAREFULLY...because you have to live with your choices.
ILLINOIS - Should state Constitution be altered?: We know that a lot of people are confused by the ballot initiative front and center in every county in the state of Illinois. We break this down and provide the pros and cons of changing our state Constitution, which hasn't been altered in decades...but is this the thing - fighting off money-grubbing politicians - that's worth doing it over? And where does it stop if so?
Duane Verity
WILLIAMSON CO. - Alleged sex assault muddies county race: We gave you the outset of the mess a Williamson County state's attorney candidate is in a few weeks ago. Now read what else we learned...and see what the incumbent has to say about retaining his office and more.
HAMILTON CO. - Hamilton: Battle lines bring Bradley/Severin race, more: Poor Hamilton County...the political district lines go right through it, so they have to print up ballots for two separate districts of state representation, ergo they were the ideal county to illustrate the flaws in a particular state rep candidate. See who it is, and what the public is saying about him, in this article.
BACK PAGE
RETIRED JUDGE, STATE'S ATTORNEY MIKE HENSHAW
SALINE CO. - Have stunts pulled in prosecutor's race implicated county clerk?: The most bitter race in recent memory in Saline County has one candidate taking the high road and one candidate kinda losing her....stuff...and dragging a ridiculous number of people along with her as she does. Read about the deception and disingenuousness of one candidate...and how her team has possibly pulled other county officeholders into their wrongdoing.
Something Kasiar probably should've practiced....
Billy Milner
MARION CO. - Public raises questions over prosecutor candidate: This article, quite frankly, is one of the most unbelievable we've ever produced when it comes to election material, but we can guarantee....every single word is taken from police reports or court documents, and you just can't make this stuff up (and who would WANT to??)
PSA - First price increase in four and a half years coming in November: That's right, we took a little divergence to take advantage of the most eyes-on issue (as the election editions always are) to announce that we're going to have to keep up with inflation...so if you're not a print subscriber, better git onnit, because come November 1, it's going to cost you a little more. Link is right here.
INSIDE PAGES
RICHLAND CO. - In a village run by an illegal, they want to be able to sell open container alkyhaul: Yes, we spelled it like that for a reason - because that's how they say it in Claremont. Scot national John Johce, who can't hold a liquor license and is illegally holding the office as mayor, is probably hoping that all 13 of his voters within village limits passes this ballot referendum. We're just hoping Richland County has a better voter turnout than mid-teens-percent, considering the lack of contested offices there (and the fact that we haven't been members of the electorate there for a number of years...)
LAWRENCE CO. - Public safety tax approval sought in Lawrence: They're still living like Texaco's in town. And so they're still putting up new school buildings and all kinds of stuff...and the tax base that's able to pay for it is dwindling and dwindling as more and more property owners are abandoning ship and more and more of those left behind are falling into poverty and, sadly, crime. So they're by God gonna as that 25 percent or so who vote to impose a sales tax in Lawrence...because they 'need more money for schools.' Gads.
JASPER CO. - Jasper: State's attorney and circuit clerk race highlight ballot: We're wondering if Chad Miller charged Eric Lamb so he could win the election. I have to say: For all the people in Jasper that Lamb has caused problems for over the years (ever since we've been in publication), if every single one of them got out and voted, Miller would win the state's attorney's race in a landslide.
Joel Powless
CLAY CO. - Clay County: Prosecutor's race and big ballot question will be a draw: State's Attorney Melanie Pearce has competition for retaining her seat...and while this is mild by comparison to the race in 2008 there, it's still interesting.
EDGAR CO. - Edgar County sees grim four years ahead with no state's attorney race: Because, I think, no one WANTS to be state's attorney in one of the most corrupt east-central counties we've ever covered.
CLARK CO. - The contest in Clark? Circuit clerk, after the last one failed utterly: Greed has a tendency to ruin everyone around. It happened to 2012's pick for circuit clerk; now, Clark gets to replace her on a permanent basis.
CRAWFORD CO. - Crawford: Folks take county board races to heart; coroner challenged: Crawford County has done what every other county in the state should have done - They were able to get candidates for very nearly every office on the ballot, which should assure good voter turnout.
Cassandra Goldman
WABASH CO. - Contested offices in Wabash sure to increase turnout: This one is going to be interesting on the night of November 8 when the ballots are counted...there's a county board seat up that is seeing a matchup of current and former. Many people are just glad Cassandra Goldman isn't challenged, as she's really been doing a good job lately.
EDWARDS CO. - Edwards' judicial outcome will impact surrounding counties in Second Circuit: There's a judicial race in Edwards County that's limited the selection to the voters there, but the impact is throughout the Second Circuit. See if there's something YOU can do, at the link.
WHITE CO. - White: County board seats to be filled: Not a lot of activity in White County on the ballot, but what there is could mean some changes to the running of the county.
GALLATIN CO. - What's going on in Gallatin County that there are no contested offices? I think that question speaks volumes...and perhaps the absence of the former sheriff - Raymond Martin - is in part the answer.
POPE CO. - Incumbent sees challenge for county board seat: And folks....that's about the only race that's going on in Pope. However, they are likely very satisfied with their officeholders, as we rarely see complaints about them...so more power to em.
What...? me, prosecute??? Surely you jest.
HARDIN CO. - The day Tarable Wallace has been dreading for three and a half years has arrived: Alll we can say about the state's attorney's race in Hardin County is...what everybody else is saying: Bye bye Tara, hello Dan hiel Cockrum; hope you can litigate your way out of a wet paper bag, because she can't.
SALINE CO. - Saline has OTHER races on the ballot, too: The county board is always the hot race, and this election season is no exception. It's a full slate, and only about half are going to be chosen. But, as we've cautioned throughout...choose CAREFULLY.
OP-ED
Minkus Ink (Bubba): Lives matter: People should deal with that
Guest column (Teri Davis Newman): Americans have awakened and are mad as hornets
Voice of the People: Letter deals with the Bradley situation in Marion
