When parties run an ad for candidates in a community or county, it should be expected that all candidates be featured in that ad. Unfortunately, that was not the case for the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee. An ad they recently ran in the Current News Magazine published in Eureka which includes parts of Jefferson County and St. Louis County, failed to include all the Republican candidates running. Three were left off the ad, Steve Farmer running for the Public Administrator's Office, Ken Horton running for County Treasurer and Robert Boyer running for County Assessor. I have to ask, doesn't the Republican Party support these candidates and why? Why would you commit such a faux pas when these people are putting so much effort into these races? Hours are spent walking door to door, shaking hands and trying desperately to get their message out. Then, the Republican Central Committee comes along and commits such a tragedy. Ads are so important to the candidate and the party. It is evident that this importance is not felt by the Republican Central Committee.
In the 2010 races, I was responsible for placing this ad in the Current. I did not miss any candidates because I knew these people are putting their hearts into every race. Before the ad was placed in the paper, I made sure the entire Central Committee reviewed it. I have spoken to members of this Committee and have been told, they knew nothing about the ad. Why aren't all the members of the Republican Central Committee consulted about the contents of these ads?
My final comments on this blog are about Bill Alter, the Central Committeeman for Rock Township. I went to him last evening and asked for an explanation about this grievous error. His response to me was to "get away from him". He also explained in between his rudeness that some of the candidates did not answer their emails. This is unacceptable to me! If the person doesn't answer an email, call them. I believe most people have phones. Mr. Alter is a great representative for the Republican Central Committee that is, if you believe your representatives should be rude, disrespectful and lack common courtesy.
In my opinion, the Republican Central Committee has lost touch with most people in the County. The leadership is antiquated and is party driven. The games that are played by these leaders during elections to prevent good candidates from being voted into offices is unconscionable. These leaders and the people they surround themselves with should be ashamed for the many good people they have disenfranchised from being involved in the political process. If you contact Janet Engelbach, the Chair of the Republican Central Committee, she will most certainly explain that she knew nothing about the ad as she did when we contacted her last evening. How can you be Chair and have no knowledge about such an important responsibility?
It is time for new leadership in the Republican Party in Jefferson County and in the Republican Central Committee!
I was aware that Janet and her minions voted in favor of transferring the money into a PAC they set up prior to the new committee members taking office. I am also fully aware of the ethics violations committed by Janet and George and am in full agreement that they be prosecuted if they are found guilty. In fact, because of my opposition to how the money was being handled, I was not invited to a meeting that was held at a Hardees in August so my Township was not represented in the vote. This is typical backroom politics played by Janet. She's experienced at it after all, she is a lobbyist. I also agree that it is time for new Republican leadership in the county but, I do not want us to jump from the fire into the frying pan. There are people that have leadership qualities and others that believe they have those same qualities, but fall far short. I will not sit by quietly while another power hungry group steps in. Make no mistake, I am interested in what is best for the people in the county, not for a particular party or group.