When you read this column, it will be less than one week until Election Day 2012. I don’t care for whom you vote, but I do care that you vote.
It’s too late to register and too late to request a vote-by-mail ballot, but it’s not too late to go the polls. On the Hill, Idyllwild residents can vote at Town Hall. Two different precincts use that building for voting. Pine Cove denizens can vote at the Pine Cove Water District office. Be sure to ask for a drink of water and tell Jerry that I sent you.
If you travel on and off the Hill, early voting is available at the Registrar’s office in 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside. Voting can be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturday, Nov. 3 and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6.
I encourage every Hill resident to cast a ballot next Tuesday, Nov. 6. While our numbers are small, the percentage of people voting is normally 10 percent or more than the average turnout in Riverside County.
And don’t fall prey to the “theory of large numbers.” Sure, California’s population exceeds 35 million people. The number of registered voters is expected to set a record — more than 18 million. The number of likely voters is more than 10 million.
Furthermore California is so Democratic, a vote for Romney means nothing and one more vote for Obama is meaningless. Who knows? And so what!
Hill turnout is not going to affect the national or statewide races. But support for Proposition 30 (taxes and school funding) is waning and more voters seem OK with Proposition 34 (modifying the death penalty). But the final tally will be close so your vote does matter.
More importantly, as voters begin to lose interest in either Propositions 30 or 38, how will that affect Measure U, which helps Hemet Unified School District, where our children and grandchildren and neighbors are getting educated?
As of Monday, Vince Christakos, HUSD’s assistant superintendent for business services, was still optimistic about the measure’s success. But we’ve seen no polls and very little campaign advertising, which would inform voters and encourage their support. So your vote will carry more importance in this election.
Many papers, such as the Press-Enterprise, endorse candidates and take positions on propositions and measures. Last month, I asked if you knew about Measure U. Now I ask if you know the PE’s position on the local school financing proposal.
I don’t think they’ve taken one. On Monday, they had a summary of their endorsements and positions and I couldn’t find Measure U in the list. I wonder why not? I saw Measures Q and R, which are in San Bernardino County.
Also, I noticed that they made endorsements for five Assembly seats in Riverside County. Noticeably absent was AD 71, which includes the Hill. They also took no position on the race between Rep. Mary Bono Mack and Dr. Raul Ruiz, which also includes the Hill.
It’s true and I repeat it. The Town Crier doesn’t’ issue endorsements in political races or referenda on propositions. We do report on the races. You can find all of our stories on local races, propositions and Measure U at https://idyllwildtowncrier.com/category/news/politics.
But the PE does make endorsements and take positions, for every race but those involving the Hill.
So go vote. Your vote matters. Some elected officials, especially those who know the “Hill,” such as Jeff Stone, Bono Mack and Brian Nestande, come here and listen. They know we can get to the voting booth and it matters to them.
So, demonstrate to our illustrative and illuminated friends below that we count and care about civic duties, much more than they do or could imagine caring.
On a sadder and more local note, it’s been six years since the Esperanza Fire. It started on Oct. 26, 2006. I hope you remembered and perhaps said a little prayer for fallen firefighters. Remember, these five men were public servants.
