It's a start in Redkey (9/23/05)

It’s a start.

And when things are as seriously derailed as they are in Redkey, you’ve got to start somewhere.

At the urging of leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties, the Redkey Town Council junked party caucuses and voted to hold primary elections next year.

The caucus system, though cheaper than an election, lends itself easily to abuse.

Winning a primary to get on the fall ballot requires putting yourself in front of the rank-and-file voters.

By contrast, it’s possible to get a caucus nomination by packing the place with family, friends, and cronies.

Ordinary voters tend to get squeezed out and may find themselves with no real choices when November rolls around.

The last Democratic caucus in Redkey, for instance, drew about 140 people, a small fraction of the electorate.

By switching to primary elections, public involvement will be increased and, we believe, the quality of leadership in public office will be improved.

It’s not a cure-all by any means, and it doesn’t begin to address the ongoing disarray in the clerk-treasurer’s office and water utility.

But it’s a start, and you’ve got to start somewhere. — J.R.

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