Theresa Hancock’s Yard Sign Mistake

Theresa Hancock is putting out yard signs for her re-election effort.  I am doing the same thing as part of my campaign against her.  This is how our representative form of government works.  We each will promote our ideas, and the voters will make a decision at election time.

We are fortunate to live in a small town, and regardless of who wins, we will still be neighbors.  I would like for us to be friends also.  Having said that, I will do my best to get elected, and then let the chips fall where they may.  Politics is politics, and should not be confused with personal issues.  As such, I have every expectation that we will remain on good terms after the election is concluded.

There is no "Position 1" on the 2009 ballot.

The reason I bring this up, is because I have been receiving multiple phone calls and e-mails regarding Ms. Hancock’s improper campaign signs.  As candidates, our signs are regulated by state authorities, and must include certain information.

Ms. Hancock’s signs advertise that she is running for “Position 1″ on the City Council, the position that she currently holds.  This is not correct.  There is no “Position 1″ on the 2009 ballot.  Sunnyside has newly created districts, so it should properly say “District 1″.

For my supporters that are asking me for my opinion, I would like to say that while her signs do not appear to be legally or technically correct, this should be treated as an honest mistake.  Yes, it is a bit of a blunder for a Council Member who was directly involved in creating the districts we now have in the City, but it is not something that I think will mislead any of our local citizens too terribly much.

Some have suggested that I make a formal complaint to election regulators over this; I will not do so.  Further, I wish to publicly ask that my supporters not get distracted with this level of minutia.  I consider Theresa Hancock to be a woman of integrity, who has done her best to serve the citizens of this community.

At this time, I would also like to ask that the local media refrain from making this an issue for publication.  Some of our local journalists like to try and smear, or disparage, the character of candidates when they do something that is not 100% correct.

It is my belief that it is a time for change on the City Council, and that we can do better.  For those that want to bring back the police officer positions that have been cut under this Council, and for those that want to bring back parks and recreation, then vote for me, Jason Raines.

We deserve better government.