Read More Here: "Richard Worch, 53, was sheriff of Charlotte County for more than a decade and is campaigning as the 'longest-serving sheriff in the last 50 years.' Worch lost re-election in 2000, and he is looking back to days his tenure as sheriff, during which he says Charlotte County was safer than it is today.
Bill Cameron, 47, now an executive officer with the Sheriff's Office, paints Worch as a throwback candidate who will undo progress made by the department in the past eight years. Cameron has the backing of current Sheriff John Davenport."
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Election could bring city permanent revenue increase
Read More Here: "The city of Grand Junction will receive a permanent boost in funding beginning either next year or within the next decade, unless voters reject both municipal ballot measures that seek a sales-tax increase and an elimination of a revenue cap.
Council members last week agreed to refer two questions to city voters in the Nov. 4 general election. The first question asks voters to approve a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to help pay for $98 million in new public safety buildings. The second question asks voters to allow the city to permanently retain and spend revenue above the limit imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
City officials worded the questions in such a way that the only way the sales-tax increase expires is if voters approve the second question. Under that scenario, the city’s sales tax would revert back to 2.75 percent when the city pays off the Riverside Parkway project debt, estimated to be in 2015 or 2016.
Asked why the city didn’t include the sunset provision on the sales-tax increase with the sales-tax question, Mayor Gregg Palmer said it wouldn’t generate enough sales-tax revenue to fully fund construction of the public safety projects. City financial officers produced a spreadsheet this week showing the extra quarter cent in sales tax would produce a little more than $51 million in revenue by 2016."
Council members last week agreed to refer two questions to city voters in the Nov. 4 general election. The first question asks voters to approve a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to help pay for $98 million in new public safety buildings. The second question asks voters to allow the city to permanently retain and spend revenue above the limit imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
City officials worded the questions in such a way that the only way the sales-tax increase expires is if voters approve the second question. Under that scenario, the city’s sales tax would revert back to 2.75 percent when the city pays off the Riverside Parkway project debt, estimated to be in 2015 or 2016.
Asked why the city didn’t include the sunset provision on the sales-tax increase with the sales-tax question, Mayor Gregg Palmer said it wouldn’t generate enough sales-tax revenue to fully fund construction of the public safety projects. City financial officers produced a spreadsheet this week showing the extra quarter cent in sales tax would produce a little more than $51 million in revenue by 2016."
The Natchez Democrat - Obama breaking new ground
Read More Here: "In a few months, Americans will come together to choose their next leader. One man, likely either Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain, will ultimately become America’s commander in chief.
Many, many differences separate the two men, but perhaps none as superficially noticeable as the different colors of their skin.
Race is an easy variable to notice. Nowhere is that more obvious than in a community such as Natchez, where the ratio of blacks and whites is nearly equal.
Not all that long ago, great divides separated the races in our community. While some arguably still exist, each day the divides are diminished.
And with those changes come slow, but ultimately sweeping changes in how we think and vote."
Many, many differences separate the two men, but perhaps none as superficially noticeable as the different colors of their skin.
Race is an easy variable to notice. Nowhere is that more obvious than in a community such as Natchez, where the ratio of blacks and whites is nearly equal.
Not all that long ago, great divides separated the races in our community. While some arguably still exist, each day the divides are diminished.
And with those changes come slow, but ultimately sweeping changes in how we think and vote."
By-election: Voters threatened (correction)
Read More Here: "BUKIT MERTAJAM: Many voters here have been receiving threatening and intimidating SMSes from people attempting to obstruct Tuesday's balloting process.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said police had received numerous complaints on this and warned that stern action would be taken against troublemakers.
'This is the most tense and most apprehensive by-election the country has ever witnessed. We are monitoring the situation closely,' he said after visiting the Kubang Semang weekend market near here on Sunday.
He added that police had so far been tolerant, despite being subjected to verbal abuse and name-calling by some party members.
Syed Hamid said the number of policemen on duty had been increased over the last few days and reinforcements would be called in on Tuesday to maintain order.
Barisan candidate Datuk Arif Shah, who arrived at the market shortly after the minister left, said he was confident of winning by a 500-to-5,000-vote majority in the by-election."
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said police had received numerous complaints on this and warned that stern action would be taken against troublemakers.
'This is the most tense and most apprehensive by-election the country has ever witnessed. We are monitoring the situation closely,' he said after visiting the Kubang Semang weekend market near here on Sunday.
He added that police had so far been tolerant, despite being subjected to verbal abuse and name-calling by some party members.
Syed Hamid said the number of policemen on duty had been increased over the last few days and reinforcements would be called in on Tuesday to maintain order.
Barisan candidate Datuk Arif Shah, who arrived at the market shortly after the minister left, said he was confident of winning by a 500-to-5,000-vote majority in the by-election."
Thursday, 21 August 2008
World news Feed Article | World news | guardian.co.uk
Read More Here: "OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Their spots on the November ballot now secure, Democratic incumbent Chris Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi enter the homestretch in what likely will be the nation's most competitive governor's race.
It's the final phase of a rematch four years in the making, set up by Gregoire's 133-vote 2004 win, which followed three vote counts and an unsuccessful Republican court challenge.
Unofficial returns in Tuesday's primary showed Gregoire with a lead - but not by much. With about 37 percent of the ballots counted, Gregoire had 381,250 votes, or 49 percent of the vote to Rossi's 349,269 votes, or 45 percent.
Under Washington's new primary system, Gregoire and Rossi, easily the top two vote-getters, will be the only two gubernatorial candidates listed on the ballot in November."
It's the final phase of a rematch four years in the making, set up by Gregoire's 133-vote 2004 win, which followed three vote counts and an unsuccessful Republican court challenge.
Unofficial returns in Tuesday's primary showed Gregoire with a lead - but not by much. With about 37 percent of the ballots counted, Gregoire had 381,250 votes, or 49 percent of the vote to Rossi's 349,269 votes, or 45 percent.
Under Washington's new primary system, Gregoire and Rossi, easily the top two vote-getters, will be the only two gubernatorial candidates listed on the ballot in November."
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
newsminer.com • As Alaska primary election approaches, candidates flood TV with ads
Read More Here:"With a week to go before the primaries, would-be voters are being bombarded by campaign advertisements from congressional candidates and third-party special interest groups.
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who is trying to knock incumbent Don Young out of the Republican primary for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, is running a television ad touting his endorsement by Gov. Sarah Palin.
Parnell’s ads are being created by Walsh and Sheppard, the same public relations firm that handled Palin’s 2006 successful run for governor."
Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who is trying to knock incumbent Don Young out of the Republican primary for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, is running a television ad touting his endorsement by Gov. Sarah Palin.
Parnell’s ads are being created by Walsh and Sheppard, the same public relations firm that handled Palin’s 2006 successful run for governor."
Friday, 15 August 2008
Wake the watchdogs; an election is coming | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA
Read More Here: "Have you heard the one about Randy Dorn? Apparently, the candidate for state superintendent of public instruction has conspired with a powerful labor union to skirt the state’s campaign finance laws.
Want proof? Sorry, the only evidence is circumstantial. How about a vetting of the charges by a trusted third party, you say? Check back with us after the election.
Now go forth and make an informed choice about who should lead the state’s school system. Your vote Tuesday could possibly decide the race.
Is that any way to conduct an election? Certainly not. But such is the situation voters face in sizing up late-breaking allegations of campaign misdeeds.
Washingtonians look to the Public Disclosure Commission to be their campaign watchdog, but the agency often acts more like a punt dog that charges only after the trespasser is out of reach. Candidates know that the PDC can’t act quickly on a complaint; the less scrupulous use that fact to their advantage.
Superintendent Terry Bergeson – who filed the complaint against Dorn on Monday, eight days before the primary election – might well have a legitimate beef."
Want proof? Sorry, the only evidence is circumstantial. How about a vetting of the charges by a trusted third party, you say? Check back with us after the election.
Now go forth and make an informed choice about who should lead the state’s school system. Your vote Tuesday could possibly decide the race.
Is that any way to conduct an election? Certainly not. But such is the situation voters face in sizing up late-breaking allegations of campaign misdeeds.
Washingtonians look to the Public Disclosure Commission to be their campaign watchdog, but the agency often acts more like a punt dog that charges only after the trespasser is out of reach. Candidates know that the PDC can’t act quickly on a complaint; the less scrupulous use that fact to their advantage.
Superintendent Terry Bergeson – who filed the complaint against Dorn on Monday, eight days before the primary election – might well have a legitimate beef."
By-election decorum on brink of breaking - Scotsman.com News
Read More Here: "BY-ELECTION talk may be confined to anonymous whispers so far, but already the tone has turned nasty.
Labour sources have accused the SNP of underhand tactics by canvassing electors months before John MacDougall, the Labour MP for Glenrothes, died.
But the Nationalists have hit back, privately pointing out that it is even more opportunistic to ask a terminally ill MP to come down to Westminster to back the government's law to jail terror suspects for up to 42 days.
But even the SNP has not dared to move the writ to trigger a quick by-election.
It is conventional to let the incumbent constituency party chose the timing of any by-election. So far, the Tories and the SNP have refused to go against this, with each party hoping the other will make the move, plunging Labour into an earlier poll than it wants.
Labour is keen to delay a by-election for as long as possible to allow it to gain on the Nationalists, who have active machines on the ground after scooping the corresponding Holyrood seat."
Labour sources have accused the SNP of underhand tactics by canvassing electors months before John MacDougall, the Labour MP for Glenrothes, died.
But the Nationalists have hit back, privately pointing out that it is even more opportunistic to ask a terminally ill MP to come down to Westminster to back the government's law to jail terror suspects for up to 42 days.
But even the SNP has not dared to move the writ to trigger a quick by-election.
It is conventional to let the incumbent constituency party chose the timing of any by-election. So far, the Tories and the SNP have refused to go against this, with each party hoping the other will make the move, plunging Labour into an earlier poll than it wants.
Labour is keen to delay a by-election for as long as possible to allow it to gain on the Nationalists, who have active machines on the ground after scooping the corresponding Holyrood seat."
Saturday, 9 August 2008
McClintock starts up general election ad campaign | PolitickerCA
Read More Here: McClintock starts up general election ad campaign | PolitickerCA: "By Alex Isenstadt
Category: HouseTags: Tom McClintock, John Doolittle, Doug Ose, Charlie Brown
Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks), the conservative firebrand state Senator who is seeking a seat in the U.S. House, is set to launch his first radio advertisement of the general election campaign.
“Liberals like Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Brown want to continue supporting federal laws that prevents us from tapping America’s vast oil resources. That’s how we got into this mess —and why gasoline prices are now breaking our family budgets,” McClintock says at the beginning of the one-minute spot."
Category: HouseTags: Tom McClintock, John Doolittle, Doug Ose, Charlie Brown
Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks), the conservative firebrand state Senator who is seeking a seat in the U.S. House, is set to launch his first radio advertisement of the general election campaign.
“Liberals like Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Brown want to continue supporting federal laws that prevents us from tapping America’s vast oil resources. That’s how we got into this mess —and why gasoline prices are now breaking our family budgets,” McClintock says at the beginning of the one-minute spot."
CA Judge Upholds Marriage Ballot Changes - U.S. - CBN News
Read More HERE: CA Judge Upholds Marriage Ballot Changes - U.S. - CBN News: "A California judge on Friday upheld changes made by the state attorney general to a marriage amendment ballot - changes that marriage defense groups say are biased.
Also known as as the California Marriage Protection Act, the ballot title on Proposition 8 was changed from 'limit on marriage' to 'eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry.'"
Also known as as the California Marriage Protection Act, the ballot title on Proposition 8 was changed from 'limit on marriage' to 'eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry.'"
Friday, 8 August 2008
The Times - Zimbabwe talks ‘progressing well’
READ MORE HERE: The Times - Zimbabwe talks ‘progressing well’: "South Africa’s government said today power-sharing talks aimed at resolving Zimbabwe’s political crisis were 'progressing extremely well.'
# Zimbabwe talks to end soon
# Zimbabwe Special Report
'The government as mediator won’t give details except to say that the negotiations are progressing extremely well,' government spokesman Themba Maseko told reporters during a post-cabinet briefing.
He refused further comment on the talks.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has been mediating the power-sharing talks between Zimbabwe’s ruling and opposition parties following President Robert Mugabe’s re-election in a June vote widely dismissed as a farce."
# Zimbabwe talks to end soon
# Zimbabwe Special Report
'The government as mediator won’t give details except to say that the negotiations are progressing extremely well,' government spokesman Themba Maseko told reporters during a post-cabinet briefing.
He refused further comment on the talks.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has been mediating the power-sharing talks between Zimbabwe’s ruling and opposition parties following President Robert Mugabe’s re-election in a June vote widely dismissed as a farce."
BREAKING NEWS: Election Officials Providing False and Misleading Information in Blount County
READ MORE HERE: BREAKING NEWS: Election Officials Providing False and Misleading Information in Blount County: "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Election Officials Providing False and Misleading Information in Blount County
August 7, 2008 - MARYVILLE, Tenn. - At polling locations throughout Blount County, voters are being told by election workers that they cannot vote in the Republican Primary and vote for Judge Mike Meares, a Democrat. This false information is intentionally meant to mislead Republican voters who may support Judge Mike Meares.
So far this morning, voters have been given incorrect voting instructions (pertaining to who they can and cannot vote for) in Townsend and at the Maryville High School polling locations in Blount County.
Election workers were given explicit instructions and know this information is false and misleading.
In another incident in Townsend, a young man named Dylon Watuki was holding a Judge Mike Meares sign when a vehicle swerved and tried to hit him. Later, a Townsend man named Claude Scarboro had a Judge Mike Meares sign physically pulled from his hands at the Townsend polling center. Police reports were filed in both incidents."
Election Officials Providing False and Misleading Information in Blount County
August 7, 2008 - MARYVILLE, Tenn. - At polling locations throughout Blount County, voters are being told by election workers that they cannot vote in the Republican Primary and vote for Judge Mike Meares, a Democrat. This false information is intentionally meant to mislead Republican voters who may support Judge Mike Meares.
So far this morning, voters have been given incorrect voting instructions (pertaining to who they can and cannot vote for) in Townsend and at the Maryville High School polling locations in Blount County.
Election workers were given explicit instructions and know this information is false and misleading.
In another incident in Townsend, a young man named Dylon Watuki was holding a Judge Mike Meares sign when a vehicle swerved and tried to hit him. Later, a Townsend man named Claude Scarboro had a Judge Mike Meares sign physically pulled from his hands at the Townsend polling center. Police reports were filed in both incidents."
CQ Politics | 2008 Election Forecast: Minnesota - the ‘Polka-Dot’ State
READ MORE HERE: CQ Politics | 2008 Election Forecast: Minnesota - the ‘Polka-Dot’ State: "The Democrats’ presidential winning streak in Minnesota, the longest in any state, is at eight elections. This is because, by a narrow margin, its voters stuck with native son Walter F. Mondale over President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The last Republican to carry the state for president was incumbent Richard M. Nixon in 1972, when he won every state except Massachusetts; Minnesota Democratic icon Hubert H. Humphrey held the state over Nixon in 1968.
Minnesota’s electorate is often described as “purple” — an even mix of Democratic “blue” and Republican “red.” Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, said the state could better be described as “polka-dotted.”
“There are some really very strong blue areas — the Twin Cities are about as liberal as you can get, particularly Minneapolis — and some very strong red areas. And then you’ve got these kind of lighter shades. But purple . . . not statewide,” Jacobs said."
Minnesota’s electorate is often described as “purple” — an even mix of Democratic “blue” and Republican “red.” Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, said the state could better be described as “polka-dotted.”
“There are some really very strong blue areas — the Twin Cities are about as liberal as you can get, particularly Minneapolis — and some very strong red areas. And then you’ve got these kind of lighter shades. But purple . . . not statewide,” Jacobs said."
Breaking down the House races: Can the Democrats grab at least 30 more seats? | BuzzFlash.org
READ MORE HERE: Breaking down the House races: Can the Democrats grab at least 30 more seats? | BuzzFlash.org: "Yesterday, we broke down the Senate races, and today, we are going to focus on the House. This is a much tougher task, since all 435 seats are open. Oh, who are we kidding. Most House races are in such gerrymandered districts that, Republican or Democratic, those seats are staying in the same party.
One thing Republicans and Democrats can agree on (not the politicians themselves but the actual voters) is that Congressional districts should be drawn up in a neutral manner so races would be more competitive.
Still, there are a lot of races up for grabs. CQPolitics.com does a great job of analyzing the tedious practice of the races, close or not, in the House. These are the races they are spotlighting."
One thing Republicans and Democrats can agree on (not the politicians themselves but the actual voters) is that Congressional districts should be drawn up in a neutral manner so races would be more competitive.
Still, there are a lot of races up for grabs. CQPolitics.com does a great job of analyzing the tedious practice of the races, close or not, in the House. These are the races they are spotlighting."
Councilman Claims School Board Breaking Deal By Closing School / - Waco, Temple, Killeen Weather and News Authority
READ MORE HERE: Councilman Claims School Board Breaking Deal By Closing School / - Waco, Temple, Killeen Weather and News Authority: "But Waco Councilman Wilbert Austin says this action violates a previous promise from the school board.
Austin claims in an earlier meeting with Waco school board representatives, he was assured that the school board would not close any school for the coming up school year if the school bond election was passed.
Now that the multi-million dollar bond election was voted in, Austin says the school board's closing of Wiley violates that guarantee.
Representatives for the school district do not acknowledge that any such promise was made.
The vote to close Wiley comes after a decision handed down from the Texas Education Agency concerning the school's performance on the TAKS test.
The TEA has given Waco's school board the option to allow Wiley one more year to redeem its failing scores on the science TAKS test due to significant improvement in other subjects.
Wiley's students will be distributed to other district schools including: Brazos, Middle and Carver Academy, and potentially Cezar Chavez.
Students also have the option to apply to transfer to the middle school of their choice."
Austin claims in an earlier meeting with Waco school board representatives, he was assured that the school board would not close any school for the coming up school year if the school bond election was passed.
Now that the multi-million dollar bond election was voted in, Austin says the school board's closing of Wiley violates that guarantee.
Representatives for the school district do not acknowledge that any such promise was made.
The vote to close Wiley comes after a decision handed down from the Texas Education Agency concerning the school's performance on the TAKS test.
The TEA has given Waco's school board the option to allow Wiley one more year to redeem its failing scores on the science TAKS test due to significant improvement in other subjects.
Wiley's students will be distributed to other district schools including: Brazos, Middle and Carver Academy, and potentially Cezar Chavez.
Students also have the option to apply to transfer to the middle school of their choice."
Maldives’ New Constitution Ratified
Maldives’ New Constitution Ratified: "President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ratified the country’s new constitution at 10:35am on Thursday, accompanied by a seven-gun salute at a ceremony in the capital.
The arrival of the new constitution follows four years’ work on a document aiming to bring key democratic reforms, and paves the way for the country’s first multi-party elections, due by October 10.
It also introduces a bill of rights and freedoms for the first time in a country with a record of human rights abuses, and lays out provisions for independent commissions over the elections period.
“We are making history…We are not doing this as an illusion for the eye, but for the benefit of the country,” Gayoom told an audience of politicians and journalists at the Dharubaaruge conference centre."
The arrival of the new constitution follows four years’ work on a document aiming to bring key democratic reforms, and paves the way for the country’s first multi-party elections, due by October 10.
It also introduces a bill of rights and freedoms for the first time in a country with a record of human rights abuses, and lays out provisions for independent commissions over the elections period.
“We are making history…We are not doing this as an illusion for the eye, but for the benefit of the country,” Gayoom told an audience of politicians and journalists at the Dharubaaruge conference centre."
knoxnews.com | Book bandit on the run
READ MORE HERE: knoxnews.com | Book bandit on the run: "I finished 'Breaking Dawn,' the fourth and supposedly last book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, today. I've been playing around on the Web for a while waiting for election night results and there are a lot of people freaking out about the plot. Most of the articles have spoilers in them, so don't click through if you don't want to know about the plot. Jezebel's writers and audience didn't take too kindly to Meyer's take on vampire family life. A LiveJournal blogger offers a play-by-play that is pretty funny and New York magazine asks 'Did Breaking Dawn Ruin the Twilight series?'
Personally, I chuckled through parts of all of Meyer's books. She is CLEARLY writing for the teen girl set. People can argue all day long about whether Meyer is doing a disservice to feminism, but I assure you, those same women were once boy-crazy teenagers that only wanted to find a true love that would last forever. Is that so terribly conventional? As for the bizarro vampire love plot points, I can admit I was rolling my eyes, too. The epic battle scene was dissappointing as well; I completely agree that Meyer bunted on this one. Was she afraid of dissappointing her fans?"
Personally, I chuckled through parts of all of Meyer's books. She is CLEARLY writing for the teen girl set. People can argue all day long about whether Meyer is doing a disservice to feminism, but I assure you, those same women were once boy-crazy teenagers that only wanted to find a true love that would last forever. Is that so terribly conventional? As for the bizarro vampire love plot points, I can admit I was rolling my eyes, too. The epic battle scene was dissappointing as well; I completely agree that Meyer bunted on this one. Was she afraid of dissappointing her fans?"
The Middle East and America's election | Who would be best for the Arabs? | Economist.com
The Middle East and America's election | Who would be best for the Arabs? | Economist.com: "SIX months ago, in a mock poll conducted at the US-Islamic World Forum, a gathering of influential Muslims and Americans held every year in the Gulf state of Qatar, Barack Obama won a resounding victory as the preferred choice for the next American president. If one is to believe internet chatter from America’s extreme right, the Illinois senator’s popularity among Muslims in the Middle East might be due to the allegations that he is 43.75% Arab by blood, or that he has been secretly funded by Arabs with ties to terrorism. Then again, it might just be natural that a candidate who has some Muslim ancestry, and who has protested against the widely loathed policies of the Bush administration, would inspire more enthusiasm than a Republican opponent committed to continuing those policies. Oddly enough, however, recent statistical and anecdotal evidence from the region shows that enthusiasm for Mr Obama is less fulsome than might be expected"
Despite allegation$, John R. Buonomo still up for re-election - BostonHerald.com
READ MORE HERE: Despite allegation$, John R. Buonomo still up for re-election - BostonHerald.com: "The Middlesex register of probate is still a candidate for re-election, his lawyer said yesterday, even though he was allegedly caught on camera red-handed stealing thousands of dollars from copy and change machines at the Registry of Deeds.
John R. Buonomo, 56, of West Newton was released on his own recognizance yesterday after pleading not guilty to 18 counts of breaking and entering into a depository, eight counts of theft of public property by a county officer and eight counts of larceny under $250. If convicted, he faces maximum penalties of 20 years, 10 years and 2 years for the charges, respectively.
“He’s anxious, he’s upset and he’s very concerned,” Michael F. Notola said outside Cambridge District Court. “(But) he is a candidate for re-election, and it’s my expectation he’ll remain a candidate for re-election.”"
John R. Buonomo, 56, of West Newton was released on his own recognizance yesterday after pleading not guilty to 18 counts of breaking and entering into a depository, eight counts of theft of public property by a county officer and eight counts of larceny under $250. If convicted, he faces maximum penalties of 20 years, 10 years and 2 years for the charges, respectively.
“He’s anxious, he’s upset and he’s very concerned,” Michael F. Notola said outside Cambridge District Court. “(But) he is a candidate for re-election, and it’s my expectation he’ll remain a candidate for re-election.”"
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