Live Oak — Dear Editor,
My name is Penny Staffney and I had thrown my political hat into the ring, to run as a fiscally conservative candidate against Jesse Caruthers, in District 1. I figured that since I have been involved in government finance for 18 years, and am good at cutting through government baloney, and also foreseeing the next few years as needing someone who is savvy with money, I knew I could do a good job for the county if elected. I have since discovered that my ‘day job’ (Finance Director for City of Perry), prohibits me from running for political office. The law is called the Hatch Act; it is Federal, and no one who has even one percent of their job touching any federal grants can run for office, unless you are ALREADY HOLDING OFFICE. That’s right, it should be called Keep the Incumbents in Office Act. I could quit my day job, but I’m a working Jane and need the larger paycheck to live on, so survival over service must win out. Conflict of interest also plays no part in this law, which could make sense if applicable. I pray someone steps up to try to prevent the Professional Politicians, Good ‘ole Boys and Land Barons from continuing to dominate local offices. I want to thank all those who encouraged me and started supporting my efforts. We are at a political crossroads. 2012 is a year The American Citizen must quit being selfish and get engaged in the political process or we might as well just kiss our collective American lives ‘goodbye’.
Penny Staffney
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
NJ Official: NYPD Muslim Surveillance Legal
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
