ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.
Like most elections, Tuesday’s primary afforded us with some fascinating data and possibilities.
Perhaps most interesting is the debate over how much influence former President Donald Trump still has over the Republican Party. On the one hand, he went undefeated in this area, with candidates Trump supported sweeping five races. On the other hand, some believe John Gibbs’ Third District Congress win over incumbent Peter Meijer was the result of Democrats crossing over to back a candidate they believe is easier to beat in November.
It’s probably both.
But Trump’s “kingmaker” status also was unblemished in the other races closer to home. Victorious State Rep. candidates Rachelle Smit and Angela Rigas were endorsed, with both making that fact very public during their campaigns.
As I opined last month, public officials hungrily seeking the blessing of a man who tried to overthrow the United States government proves the sorry state to which our political system has deteriorated. The two-party system is toxic and too many Republicans have become toadies of a mentally ill narcissist, loyal to a man and the party more than the country.
I too was disappointed with the results of the Wayland Union Schools’ $48.5 million bond issue, which went down by about a 52%-48% defeat. The startling stats shown in the accompanying graphic mirrors the urban-rural divide that exists in the United States of America today.
Dorr, Leighton, Yankee Springs and Hopkins townships rejected the proposal, sometimes by wide margins. Meanwhile, the City of Wayland and Wayland Township were in support.
Interestingly, those opposed kept quiet publicly about their intentions while supporters where very much in the public eye. And Assistant Supt. for Finance and Operations Patricia Velie did her best to explain there would be no increase in taxes and the bond was about more than just a new pool.
But it was not to be.
I will not be surprised in the least if the Wayland Board of Education decides to try again in the Nov. 8 general election, which promises to cause a much larger voter turnout because of the statewide races and the ballot question about abortion.
Some naysayers will taunt board members with the overdone “What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand?” But the board would be derelict of its duty not to ask again under better electoral conditions.
Kudos to newcomer Scott Beltman, who unseated incumbent County Commissioner Max Thiele in the Fourth District. Apparently it didn’t hurt him at all to champion a county-wide ORV ordinance that turned out to be successful. He reaped further rewards in becoming known and being a winner.
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