Editor, Smithfield Times

As we near the end of the long election row, I look back on what has been presented by the candidates to us the voters. In the excellent candidate forums the dichotomy between the statements of incumbents who have been tempered in the heat of the day-to-day decisions of the elected offices being sought in contrast to the challengers, who have no records to challenge and hence can make whatever promises they wish in their efforts to “Throw the rascals out.”

One has to take these promises with a few grains of salt, though there are two that stand out as truly remarkable. One is by the Supervisors, being that great savings can be accomplished by spending several million dollars to change the supplier of water to Gatling Point in order to reap a few thousand in water and sewer fees from the residents. The other is by a candidate for Supervisor from the Newport district, that he has been endorsed by the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and the Tea Party — three groups that have demonstrated at all levels of government that they are not able to agree on anything. If this is not mere bull product, then the candidate is wasting his time and talent running for supervisor but would seem to be a virtual shoo-in for president.

One assumption we all must make in order for our system of government to work is that, in the absence of hard evidence of chicanery, each of the candidates is driven by good intentions and intends to devote her or himself to making Isle of Wight County a better place to live.

Curtiss E. Peterson
Rescue