Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter



CAT Tracks for December 21, 2006
CAIRO CITY ELECTION

This week's Cairo Citizen carries a complete list of the candidates for the upcoming City of Cairo primary election to be held on February 27th.

After my frustration of last week, this news was heartening indeed. There IS a "silver lining" to the dark cloud that has enveloped Cairo for so long. The bitter, public, embarassing, blood-letting that has occured over the past few years has brought a strong list of candidates to each and every race...many folks who probably never believed that they would ever set foot on the political stage! My hat is off to each and every one of them as they step up...ready to make the personal sacrifice to bear the heavy burden of trying to resuscitate this dying town.

Now...the voters of Cairo need to do their part!

First of all...if you are a resident of Cairo and old enough to vote, but have not registered...REGISTER...it is not too late! You have until 30 days prior to the election to register.

Secondly...educate yourself about the candidates. Even if you are not one to ask questions, read and listen to their statements leading up the the election(s). They will say many things...a few of which they actually mean! (Smile!) More important than their words will be what will be evident..."between the lines". Most likely, you will be able to see those who care about Cairo - and will work with others so inclined to turn this town around - and those who are running for their own personal glorification or agenda.

Make sure your Cairo relatives, neighbors, and friends are registered to vote. Educate them on the candidates...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Finally, come February 27th (or before if you choose early or absentee voting)...VOTE...as if your life depended on it. Thousands of lives and livelihoods DOdepend on this election and the general election that follows!

At the very worst, we need one of the warring sides to win BOTH the mayor's race and control of the city council. Cairo will not survive another "four more years".

At best, we need neither "side" to win. We need a mayor and city council that will not look back! Give it up...there is no hope of settling the differences that have divided this town for so long. If anyone were able to do that, we would send them to the Middle East for their next "miracle". Look forward! Explore any and all opportunities that present themselves to turn Cairo's economy around...beg, plead, whatever is necessary. It is appalling that there are those already "writing off" the bio-diesel plant instead of doing whatever is necessary to insure that the venture moves forward!

Thirty-six individuals have indicated that they want to hold office for the next four years...whatever their motivations. Again...from the looks of the list, I would say that "righteous indignation" spurred many to their decision.

All residents of Cairo SHOULD be angry! Each and every one of us should throw open the windows and doors and repeat the classic line from the movie, "Network":

"I'm mad as hell...and I'm not going to take it anymore!"


The Candidates (in order of filing):

For Mayor:

  • Paul F. Farris
  • Lonnie Burris
  • Bobby Whitaker
  • Judson Childs
  • Karl H. Klein
  • Joe E. Griggs
  • Carolyn Ponting
  • Monica L. Smith
  • Nancy Philipper
  • Esley Cornelius
Councilmember at Large:

  • Christopher Davault
  • David Mason
  • R.D. Foxworthy
  • James R. "Bob" Conroy
  • Linda Jackson
Councilmember, Ward 1:

  • Joseph Holder
  • James Wisniewski
  • Darrell Thomas
  • Elbert "Bo" Purchase
Councilmember, Ward 2:

  • Thomas M. Simpson
  • Phillip Matthews
  • Kathy McAllister
  • Joseph M. Farrow
Councilmember, Ward 3:

  • Lorenzo C. Nelson
  • Gregory Walker
  • Julia Schubert
  • Charles Koen
  • Sandra Tarver
Councilmember, Ward 4:

  • Gloria Sluder
  • Thomas Burris
  • Richard Pitcher
  • Linda King
  • Shirley Bryant
Councilmember, Ward 5:

  • Charles Allen Caldwell
  • Philip Hodges
  • Tyrone Coleman