Viewpoints
Online voters pick Riley
Phil Riddle
editor@weatherforddemocrat.com
Voters in last week’s www.weatherforddemocrat.com online poll overwhelmingly support the re-election of Parker County Judge Mark Riley.
More than 76 percent of poll respondents selected Riley over challenger Cary McKay in the March 2 Republican primary.
The poll is not scientific in nature and reflects only the opinions of those who voted.
McKay, a real-estate developer, in November announced his plans to seek the judge’s seat.
A family friend of McKay, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, has reportedly been on the stump for the challenger, campaigning in Parker County just last weekend.
“I’ve known him since I was 5 or 6 years old,” McKay said of Huckabee in a November Democrat story. “He was kind enough to come down and help out. He knows what I’m up against and what he knows what I believe in.”
McKay called the current county administration “A good ole boy system,” in a November newspaper report.
He said there are several reasons he’s running against Riley.
“It’s time for someone to stand up and run [the county],” he said in a published interview. “I feel led to do this.”
Riley cited his more than a decade of experience in the position, as well as a fiscally conservative background as reasons he should be re-elected.
“It is with great excitement and anticipation that I look forward to beginning 2010,” said Riley in his campaign announcement. “I have been honored to serve as your county judge for 11 years.”
Riley said the county has experienced huge population growth while he has been at the helm, and points to ongoing transportation projects and conservative budgeting as hallmarks of his administration.
“Your tax dollars are always a concern of mine,” he said. “My budgets have been prudent, conservative and responsible.”
Early voting for the party primaries begins Feb. 16.
To participate in this week’s poll, visit www.weatherforddemocrat.com and scroll to the bottom of the homepage.
This week’s question: “Which team will win the Super Bowl?”
- Viewpoints
-
-
John Doe’s addiction
How addicted are we to the federal dole? More than we realize or care to admit.
-
The taxi cab TV thief
The bad guys on TV and in the movies are always looking to steal valuables from unsuspecting victims. That’s just what they do.
-
The tip of the spear
The term, “Tip of the Spear,” has been used over the ages to describe the lead element of a weapon or offensive military assault. The tip of a spear, arrow or lance is the sharp, pointed or cutting edge that tears into the quarry or foe to impose dominance over it. It enables the ultimate victory.
-
The Oscars remain a guilty pleasure
Did you watch the Academy Awards Sunday night? I did. I do every year. It’s my guilty pleasure in life, watching the rich and famous parade in front of the world and thank everyone from the Academy to their parents to their agents for “all you do,” whatever that may be.
-
Poll: Lottery proceeds would go to retirement
It’s an intriguing thought.
If you had millions of dollars fall in your lap, how would you spend it. -
Texas traffic and the angry emu
As a driver in Texas, I have become pretty jaded.
There’s not a lot we don’t see.
Rolling west on Interstate 20 across the flatlands to a bumper-to-bumper 200-mile jaunt south on I-35, drivers in our state are apt to see anything. -
County steps up for its own in UW campaign
It’s an old saying Texans, long known for their spirit of independence, are especially fond of.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
And did they ever. -
The age of majority
Are you one of those rare and unique individuals who never did anything really stupid or embarrassing when you were a teenager? No? Yeah right, I didn’t either.
-
Keep your laws off my body
“It’s a free country.”
That’s a popular saying — and true in many ways. But for a free country, America does ban a lot of things that are perfectly peaceful and consensual. Why is that? - It Takes a Village Idiot
- More Viewpoints Headlines
-
John Doe’s addiction
