Grateful for opportunity to serve
I would like to thank the voters of Lowndes County and the residents of the Town of Caledonia for allowing me to serve in the election process for over 20 years either as a poll worker or an election commissioner.
I learned from former Circuit Clerk Mahala Salazar that while you are serving as an election worker you do not openly endorse or campaign for any candidate on the ballot. I can honestly say that I have adhered to this principle and worked to conduct fair and honest elections throughout my time of service.
I regret that there has to be a new election in Caledonia, but due to breaking the law in handling of the ballot box, we, the four commissioners, felt this was the only fair way to handle the situation. This way every candidate has the same opportunity to convince the voters of Caledonia of their capability to serve to better our community.
When Mayor Lawrence submitted my name to the board of aldermen to be an election commissioner, they approved me. I was trained and received my certificate of training from the secretary of state’s office, I had no reason to believe it would be a case of nepotism for me to serve.
However, Monday night after the election, upon being told by Chris Hemphill, the town lawyer, that it was illegal for me to serve due to nepotism, I immediately resigned, not to avoid facing a charge of nepotism as was stated in The Dispatch, but because it was the right thing to do after what I had just learned.
I apologize for having taken a position which I was asked to fill by the governing body of the town that was deemed illegal only after the results of the first election were known.
I was taught and have tried to practice honesty, knowing that one day I will answer to God for any intentional misconduct.
My theory is this: If you have served your community positively in whatever capacity to which you have been elected or appointed, and there is evidence of progress from your service, then most likely the people will want you to continue to serve. You won’t have to cast a shadow on other people’s character and integrity, misrepresent the truth or resort to negative campaigning to keep your position.
Your works should speak for themselves and there will be no need to bash others.
To the registered voters who are residents of the Town of Caledonia I would say, “Please exercise your freedom to vote on July 18th even if you did not vote on June 6th. Your vote can make a difference.
Mildred Wiggins
Caledonia
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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