LETTER TO THE EDITOR: One vote or two, mayor's race over

By: Dear Editor: | SCNOW
Published: June 24, 2008

In college, I approached my geology professor petitioning that I was a quarter point shy of an “A.”

Stoic, he replied, “a quarter point is a quarter point.” No more need be said, as I realized my grade stood recorded as is. I was angered, but I also learned a harsh lesson that has stayed with me throughout my adult years — there are benchmarks that must be met to be graded upward in life.

This is an unlearned lesson by Mayor Frank Willis, who lost the primary election by one vote to Stephen Wukela.

Appealing the election, Mr. Willis said, “One vote is just not enough for us to walk away and say everything’s ok.”

If not one vote, then two? Or does it take five? Perhaps only a difference of 100 establishes a candidate’s success at the polls.

One might suspect that Willis, in petitioning for a new Democratic primary, is seeking a second chance at campaigning, rather than an accounting of a contested vote.

During the allotted extra inning, this time at bat, taking seriously his electoral advisory and establishing himself as a caring politician to the disenfranchised who reside in North Florence. This must wait until opening day of the new political season. The game is over.

It is time for Willis to head to the showers.

Dr. Ronald H. Love
Florence