VOTE for a Change.

By Jim Arnold

The Star Press election night text message read “Jim Mansfield won the race for mayor, defeating Sharon McShurley 6,127 to 6,118”.  Wow!  The Muncie Mayoral campaign was decided by a mere NINE votes.

The Democratic mantra for this election was “Vote for a CHANGE’ (emphasis on CHANGE); the implication being that a vote for a Democrat was a vote for change since Muncie has had a Republican mayor for the past 20 years.  What was omitted was the fact that Democrats have controlled the Muncie City Council for the past 24 years.  Those of you concerned about excessive property taxes might note that the City Council has significantly more control over the city budgets which drive property tax levies than does the mayor.

We can agree or disagree with the choices made on Election Day, but the majority (however slim) has spoken, and it’s time to welcome our newest Public Servants and move on.  The real disappointment is the 73% of registered voters who failed to cast a vote at all at a time when our city is faced with so many critical issues.  

For each of you “concerned citizens” who has complained about high property taxes, BUT FAILED to vote on Tuesday, I suggest the motto “VOTE for a Change” (emphasis on VOTE).  Our votes (purchased and protected with the blood of our forefathers) show our public servants our interest in the critical service they are selected to perform.  Failure to cast a ballot tells them that we just don’t care.  Say it ain’t so Muncie, say it ain’t so!

Jim Arnold
Muncie, Indiana.

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