Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Why Democracy in 2012 rather than now?
We told you earlier this week about the questionable wisdom of the interpartisan public forum being presented tonight by Seminole County interim appointed Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel.
The forum is open to the public and starts at 7 PM at the Supervisor of Elections office at 1500 E Airport Boulevard in Sanford.
Ertel has dubbed the forum as Democracy 2012, leading to a rather obvious question: what about the seven years between the present and 2012? Are we not concerned with democracy in the present tense? What is so magical about the year 2012 that leads its specific designation for this forum?
We asked Mr. Ertel directly and received the following response:
To do so would mean he would have to actually be elected in 2006 to the office he currently holds as an interim appointee of the Governor, a political favor he received earlier this year following the resignation of elected Supervisor Dennis Joyner due to health concerns.
Ertel would then have to also be elected to his first full term in 2008, which would carry him in the office through the year 2012. Ergo, Democracy 2012.
If you read the tea leaves of elections, tonight's forum may provide an indication as to whether Mr. Ertel will be successful in his quest.
Slats feels tonight's forum goes beyond the actual duties of the Supervisor of Elections position. Take a look at this past Sunday's column to learn why.
The forum is open to the public and starts at 7 PM at the Supervisor of Elections office at 1500 E Airport Boulevard in Sanford.
Ertel has dubbed the forum as Democracy 2012, leading to a rather obvious question: what about the seven years between the present and 2012? Are we not concerned with democracy in the present tense? What is so magical about the year 2012 that leads its specific designation for this forum?
We asked Mr. Ertel directly and received the following response:
Slats,That's all well and good, but, to be honest, Slats has no idea what Ertel is trying to say, even after attempting to read the "tea leaves of elections." Perhaps it would be better to read between the lines, revealing the true meaning to possibly be that Mr. Ertel hopes to retain his present office at least as long as through 2012.
Great question.
If you read the tea leafs of elections, and look back at the pacing of things that have taken place since 2000, I feel that by 2012 we should have "settled-in" with most of the changes stemming from that cycle. 2012 is also a year in which redistricting will be in effect based on the 2010 census. That redistricting should be a political hot-button, and our office will have to implement whichever course of action is decided. I think after that issue is settled, and the changes that are still coming down due to HAVA (the Help America Vote Act), the state's move to centralize some of the aspects of elections, and the 2012 presidential election cycle is complete, we will be in less flux and, barring anything as significant as the 2000 election, finally be established in the new normal.
To do so would mean he would have to actually be elected in 2006 to the office he currently holds as an interim appointee of the Governor, a political favor he received earlier this year following the resignation of elected Supervisor Dennis Joyner due to health concerns.
Ertel would then have to also be elected to his first full term in 2008, which would carry him in the office through the year 2012. Ergo, Democracy 2012.
If you read the tea leaves of elections, tonight's forum may provide an indication as to whether Mr. Ertel will be successful in his quest.
Slats feels tonight's forum goes beyond the actual duties of the Supervisor of Elections position. Take a look at this past Sunday's column to learn why.
hy