In politics, perception can often trump reality
“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges, even where there are no rivers” – former Soviet premier Nikita Kruschchev.
It's an interesting statement from a guy who used to lead a country that had no claim to actually having politicians.
West Plains' residents are getting their dosage of politics and politicians early, beginning with this coming Tuesday's primary ballot. In Medical Lake, it's the mayoral competition, with four candidates hoping to make the short list of two for November's general election.
The 9th District Legislative Position 1 opening has five vying for the top two spots. And in Cheney, it's the mayoral slot and a City Council seat, Position 3. Interestingly, those two spots are bound together in a way I've not seen, or can remember seeing (too much to keep track of) in my nine years here at the Cheney Free Press.
“You can fool all of the people all of the time if the advertising is right and the budget is big enough” – film producer Joseph Levine.
Incumbent Mayor Allan Gainer, running against current councilmen Curt Huff and Tom Trulove, has hitched two other council candidates to his election wagon –planning commissioner Jason Alvarado, running against incumbent Councilman Mike McKeehan and challenger Kathleen Warren along with businessman Fred Pollard. Pollard is not in the primary since he and planning commissioner Graeme Webster are the only two competing for Huff's Position 1, and hence already in the general.
I say hitched because we here at the paper ran a half page process color ad (thank you very much by the way) that promotes a “Come & Picnic with the Candidates” forum where all three candidates appeared. The ad, paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Allan Gainer, even included pitches for Alvarado and Pollard.
And, do a drive-by viewing downtown and you will notice all three candidates' campaign signs prominently displayed on the front of the Tree of Knowledge Bookstore, Gainer's successful business venture.
The ad led to several letters to the editor, one expressing concern the apparent union could upset the council's “balance of power” and by implication, the candidates ability, if elected, to be independent. It's a valid concern, since the offices are listed as non-partisan, which could be interpreted as being free of party ideology and ideological control.
The reality, of course, is not the case, and candidates' teaming together to seek mutual election isn't illegal, or even unethical. It's just politics.
It can, however, create a perception, and sometimes perception trumps reality. It carries the appearance of building a voting bloc, or at least starting one. This isn't wrong either, but it's not what people expect nor claim to desire in their elected officials. We know candidates talk about issues outside of meetings, but establishing a quid pro quo, while likely, isn't acceptable.
And, it's not what Cheney's municipal code reflects under Chapter 2.70.010, stating, “The proper operation of democratic government requires of public officials and public employees that they be independent and impartial when establishing policy and that their positions never be used for personal gain.”
Not that anyone running for office is doing so for personal gain. I don't know that, nor do others, and having talked with, listened and read the candidates positions, believe they are truly running for what they believe is good for Cheney.
The specifics of, and how they do it, are a different matter. And that's where uniting for joint support can create the perception of the loss of independence.
But then again, it could all be moot since two of the candidates need to advance past the primary. Only time will tell.
“Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks” – columnist Doug Larson.
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