Rock the Vote

Yesterday was election day. National races changed the balance of power in Washington, while local races left us with the same old status quo. Our little town of 2000 is the largest city in the county. Our much loved mayor died a few months ago and his replacement was appointed by the city council. The interim mayor had served on the city council for several years with a clear desire for more power. Attempts at various times past were squelched by the mayors with whom he served. As a retired police captain from the big windy city, his point of view differed greatly from most local citizens, one being yours truly. Fees for permits have increased steadily at his behest with most council members simply acquiescing to his recommendation. Speed limits have been reset and officers instructed to fill the city coffers with ticket revenue. Signs were removed for no reason other than he personally thought them unnecessary. We are a town of many tourists, most citizens thought a sign directing to the golf course wise...but our newly appointed mayor had the marker removed just after taking office with no notice or warning to the golf course owner. Strange that he and the owner of the golf course had exchanged unfriendly words more than a few times. City employees have been on edge as they must enforce each new edict. In my opinion, his opponent should have had an easy win. After all I voted for him. Small town politics just defies the imagination.

Just over 750 registered voters reside in our town. The polls were packed all day with long lines waiting to cast ballots. Word was out via radio and internet that some of the polling places in our county had experienced problems with the voting machines. When the polls closed at 7:30 long lines were still in place. It took a full hour for the last of the ballots to be completed. At midnight when we went to bed, only the early votes had been counted and it was difficult to predict the outcome. This morning's paper of course had no answers, and the newspaper website proclaimed that results would be available very soon at six a.m., and repeated that promise every few minutes until after ten o'clock. I finally put a leash on the critter and we strolled around to Mrs Paw-lie to see if she had any insight. Of course she knew the answer and was just as stunned by the victory of our newly elected Bully in Chief. Yep, even in a tiny burg it would appear that few were even aware of our new mayor's ambitious plans for the city. Final vote tally was 450 to 300...looks like everyone in town voted, yet no one will admit to being one of the 450. Dare I wonder if shenanigans occurred in Dogpatch....