Tuesday's primary is important
While election signs are proliferating faster than dandelions right now, Carlton County Commissioner candidate Paul Vernon is concerned because his signs are disappearing almost as quickly. Vernon said a person or persons have removed approximately 30 of his signs, out of the 100 he's placed in yards around the county.
One family actually saw a man take the sign from their yard. They described the man as being of average height with dark hair; he was wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap and driving a dark-colored SUV. He waved at them and loaded the sign into his vehicle, driving away.
Well, Mr. Friendly Thief, you're not playing fair. While one would hope that voters don't make up their minds based on the minimal information offered on most candidates' signs, they do draw attention to the candidates. It's also illegal to steal such signs from private property, and could result in a misdemeanor charge.
Has your interest been piqued by said election signs, perhaps by the enormous "James Ross for Judge" signs planted along Highway 33?
ADVERTISEMENT
Then turn to the B Section of this issue of the Pine Journal and find out more about the nine people running for District 4 County Commissioner, the seven on the ballot for Cloquet School Board and the eight up for Sixth District Court Judge, replacing retiring Two Harbors Judge Kenneth Sandvik. Candidate lists have to be pared down to two for all three of the above races.
State races on the primary ballot include Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and U.S. Representative for the Independence Party, Republican Party and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. (Note: Not every party has a contested race in the above races, but all those races are listed on the state partisan primary ballot.)
Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10. If you won't be in town that day, it's not too late to vote absentee (in person). The county auditor's office must be open for absentee balloting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Saturday before the election and until 5 p.m. on the day before the election. Contact County Auditor Paul Gassert at 218-384-9127 for more information or if you don't know where your polling place is.
Officials are predicting a poor turnout Tuesday, due to the fact that the primary is a month earlier this year and folks are thinking more about vacations and keeping cool than who they want to represent them locally, in St. Paul and in Washington D.C.
Let's prove to those skeptics that our hearts and minds are still engaged, even in the summer heat. Vote Tuesday.
Jana Peterson
Note: Vernon is offering a $500 reward for information identifying the person stealing the signs. Call him at 218-384-3970.
