Rob Bradley no longer unopposed!

Mike

Good Luck with your quest.

I agree that you do not stand a chance, but it may get folks thinking.

TRUTHHURTS

Please go to http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer and sign the petition for the Fair Tax Bill. Tell Congress to pass this Bill.

Mike,

You have my gratitude for stepping up to the plate. You also have three votes coming out of this house.   You get to learn alot about a person in here, and you're the better man for the job in my book. 

I have alot more faith in the seemingly impossible, and in my own little circle in the world that gets bigger everyday I just don't believe you getting elected is all that far fetched.

Whatever the odds, you are willing to serve, and that is to be Commended. The archives are full of your views and values on a variety of subjects. All a reader has to do is look.  I will be spreading the word, and encouraging people to come into the blogs to do just that.

http://24.23.126.8/ Petition for choice in Nov. 7 Commissioners or 5.

Lets elect the guy who won't mind us trying to do away with his job.  I like Mike!

Mike thanks for your decision to run for the position. I have blogged with you on here for many months and have come to respect your opinions and what you stand for. Stepping up and offering to run and help Clay County move forward is to be commended.

We need some Commissioners that can step aside and let the County Manager run the county. As it is suppose to be in our form of government. While our Commissioners make policies that will benefit all the citizens in the county and not just a select group of special interest that fund their campaigns.

Those who are supported by special interest will be easy for anyone to see when they visit the SOE website and follow the money.

I will support you and will offer to help in anyway I can for the good of all the citizens in the county. Don't worry about the money when the election is over it is the votes that count not the dollars.

Your statement above is priceless "Regardless of the election's outcome, the voters will have a choice and the process will be given an opportunity to work as it was meant to."

Thank you!

If i put Old Man Hemmer, will they know who it is?

No, seriously, big step, hope it goes well!

They might, but I'd prefer you write in as Mike or Michael Heemer.

Your old man statement is a key point Foxx. I'm darn near old enough to draw SS so it isn't like I'm trying to build up my retirement account.

My wife and I are already retired so I'm not looking to make a killing in a paycheck. The lowest pay that the voters could decide this position is worth should be acceptable to any candidate. It is only a part time job and should not be looked at as a primary source of income. 

I'm not chasing this position like a coon dog howling in the night. I'm not looking to make this a career and it isn't a stepping stone to bigger things.

Think about this. From what I can see the Superintendent of Schools and the BoCC Chair are the only races that are going to go beyond the Primary.

That's just not the way it should be. And having an unopposed candidate for a brand new position just doesn't seem right to me.

What I want is for the process to work and for the voters to have a choice. If per chance I were to get elected, I would serve to the best of my ability with interests of the county residents in mind.

Mike Heemer

I’m proud of you Mike. It took a lot of guts to throw your hat into the ring. You may be surprised at the end results. They say that the best advertising is "word of mouth". I’m sure that I won’t be the only person around here that will be spreading your name around. I can’t wait to see you standing along the highway dressed in your straw hat, holding a flashy sign and waving at all the cars.

Mike, thank you so much for jumping in. You have my vote and I will be campaigning for you in my neighborhood. You may be right about not standing a great chance but I can't believe the relatively small number of bloggers here are the only ones aggravated by the status quo. I see the Sewer Harpies are not happy with you but we'll just "kitty" them (you'll understand that one when you read A Dirty Job.) ;>)

I am curious about a couple of things. Did you have to set up a bank account for donations? Was that a requirement? I was told it was which is why I did not do it. Did you just inform the Elections people you wanted an open space? In your spare time, which understandably is going to dwindle in the next few months, please give us a Civics 101 essay on this.

Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman

And thats all I got to say about that. Thank you Mr. Heemer.

Mike,

I respect your frustration at not having a "choice" in this particular race, but I'm trying to figure out if you're serious or if this is just a blog stunt.

If you're serious, just saying you want to be a write-in candidate ain't going to get it done - I don't care how many bloggers say they will vote for you.  If it's just something to vent your frustration and have something to blog about - well done.

Like you and others, I think Clay County citizens would benefit from having multiple candidates to choose from.  At this late date, I can't imagine anyone making that decision.  I've had the privildege to get to know Rob over the past couple of years.  Anyone who has taken the time to meet him and talk to him will know that he is more than capable of handling the job he is running for.

In a county of over 100,000 voters, it is noteworthy that no one is stepping up to run for the position other than Rob.  That in no way diminishes Rob's capability to be an excellent commissioner and leader for Clay County.

Bax;

Yes I'm frustrated by not having a choice. There should be a choice not only for the Chair position, but for the other at-large and the three district seats. I'm a Republican but I'd sure like to see some Democrats and/or NPAs run.

I don't think the County is well served by having all these positions decided in the Primary because we selected who is going to be the unopposed Republican nominee. That is not to say that individual is not the best person for the job, I just think it is time to expand our horizons and take these races all the way to November.

I think that the people of Clay County would like the opportunity to hear the dialogue of opposing views and welcome some fresh faces and ideas. Whether the voters agree with those ideas is determined in the polling booth but the exchange of ideas always stimulates expansion of the collective knowledge of any group. 

I respect your frustration at not having a "choice" in this particular race, but I'm trying to figure out if you're serious or if this is just a blog stunt.

To quote someone - I'm as serious as a heart attack. Stunts are what I used to pull when I was a kid. Stunts like climbing the tallest tree, riding my bike down a sand pit wall, hitchhiking to Hoboken. I outgrew that.

If you're serious, just saying you want to be a write-in candidate ain't going to get it done - I don't care how many bloggers say they will vote for you.  If it's just something to vent your frustration and have something to blog about - well done.

Thank you for the 'well done' but you need to check the SOE web site before assuming I'm so stupid that I don't know that it takes more than saying it to make it happen. The time stamp on the DS-DE forms is 1009 May 20, 2008.

Like you and others, I think Clay County citizens would benefit from having multiple candidates to choose from.  At this late date, I can't imagine anyone making that decision. 

Then you will be happy to know that they (and you) have the benefit of having a choice. You need to widen your imagination. It really isn't that late. Anyone else that wanted to be a write-in still has time. Check with the SOE office they can tell you the deadline.

In a county of over 100,000 voters, it is noteworthy that no one is stepping up to run for the position other than Rob. 

Just a tad premature in your statement.

That in no way diminishes Rob's capability to be an excellent commissioner and leader for Clay County.

And being a last minute 'write-in' in no way diminishes my capability to be an excellent Chairman of the BoCC, nor my ability to lead Clay County into a brighter future.

Mike Heemer

Mr. Bradley probably does have the experience and qualifications to be a Commissioner/Chairman.  He may not have had any competition until now because:

1.  The money donated in his name is intimidating,

2.  The people donating the money have discouraged anyone else from running,

3.  Most people believe that the position will be eliminated.

Just another pondering thrown out there for consideration.

You are a brave man. 

On your decision to run!  I, too, believe all candidates need competition.    It does not matter how much money is in a candidate's campaign account as that is not the deciding factor of who is elected.    Good luck! 

There are no doubt several thousand, if not tens of thousands of people in this County who are "capable" of being a County Commissioner.  Capable is not good enough for me. I want a BCC who seeks what is best for the County both in the short term and the long term, and does not seek to further the interests of a select few.

I want a BCC  dominated with some common sense, and a good understanding of just what their job description covers and what it doesn't and behave accordingly.

Had there been one of these in the last couple of decades the County would be in better shape then it is.  The current impact fees reflect the mistakes of the past. It's not too late to turn this county around and it's not too late for others to join the race.  I look forward to a very lively race this year and a new direction for Clay County.

 http://24.23.126.8/ Petition for choice in Nov. 7 Commissioners or 5.

Just curious, If you want the people to have a choice in the race why the "write in" status?  Won't the voters just see a blank line?

I don't think I'm really qualified to give civics 101. I'm still trying to get past the 'for dummies' version but here goes the layman's version.

I am NOT the SOE. This is NOT meant to be an official version or edict from the experts. The people at the SOE are the experts. That's what they get paid to do and they do it darn well.

If I were in office and needed this type of information, that is exactly what I would do. Go to the experts, listen to what they say and then let them do their job.

If you want the full 'official' version you can talk with Scott Miller at the SOE. He can give you the Civics 401 version. A very helpful individual.

There are basically 3 ways to get on the ballot as a candidate. Two of those ways will get your name on the ballot.

Pay a fee of about $3700. The fee schedule is based on the office for which you are trying to qualify. I don't have that kind of money.

Gather 1130 petitions from registered voters. Again this number is based on the office. Not enough time.

The third way is to qualify as a write-in candidate. This costs nothing but time. It is a way for the average citizen to run for office without some big bankroll behind them.

A write-in means just what it says. You want your name in lights try 1 or 2. You want a ticket for the cheap seats you get a blank line for voters to fill out.

This all made perfectly good sense when Scott was doing the teaching.

The voter will have three choices. Check the block beside Rob's name, write my name in the blank line or leave both blank and don't vote for anyone.

That is what I mean by choice.

I'd like to see more people do this. I think we could use an infusion of new blood in the process.

We at least need some competion in the General Election. The Republicans battle it out in the Primary then win the General Election by default. It's like going to the Super Bowl and not seeing a game because the other team never showed up.

The absolute worst that can happen is that I loose. But the fact is if I get more than my own vote, The voters have won. They had a choice and at least one decided to write in my name. And that is what it is all about.  

Wouldn't it be great if in 2010 we ended up with a full ballot of candidates for the General Election because some people decided that if that nit wit Heemer can run so can I? 

But make no mistake. If elected I can and will do the job with that in mind. You took the time and effort to write in my name.

Mike Heemer

Mike:  Congrats and thanks for your decision to give us a choice - and you know I'm all about choices.  Count me in!  I'm writing this from the freezing tundra of upstate New York and was just in here browsing while waiting for my son to cook my dinner, but just HAD to login and comment!  Thanks again (and don't take my signature line personally).

Judy B

Petition for removal of two commissioners. http://24.23.126.8/

Mike,

I think it takes tremondous nad to mount a serious campaign to run for anything - even dog-catcher.  I knew my remarks would get a few people going, but serious dialogue is what this site is all about.  If you really want to be the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, a position I thought you wanted to eliminate, then I say "GO FOR IT!!!"  A write-in campaign I'm sure has actually won some election somewhere.  But - it's not going to happen in Clay County this year.  You need to get out there and convince the majority of the voters of Clay County that you are the superior candidate.  You are right - with your distinguished military service you are immensely qualified to be a candidate for the position.  It'll be up to the voters whether or not you get a shot at the job.  If you really want the position, in my opinion, your campaign will have to go beyond the couple to few thousand votes you might get from a write-in campaign.  Winning this, or any election, in this growing county of over 100,000 voters has got to be a hard fought, serious affair.

Again - no insult or slight intended.  Just plumbing the depths of your committment to run for a position you have publicly advocated against.  That's all.

Good Luck.

I would rather have Mike run for a position that he advocates against until the position hopefully will be abolished. He has openly expressed his feelings on the blogs about less government. I find him to be dually qualified as well.

However, a person that was on a committee that crafted the position, then lobbied for the unnecessary additional government. Then runs for that position unopposed and supports bigger government. Although he may be capable.

There is something inherently wrong with selected leaders in Clay County.

Thank you Mike for the choice! That's about as American as we can get and the reasons you spent all that time in the military. For that service I thank you as well.

Mike.........I've been out of the loop for a while and was thrilled when I read your announcement blog......thumbs up, congrats and "Thank You"  And you have 2 more votes from this household, plus 1, should it be necessary to vote for a Chairperson.  Like many of the other bloggers, I do not know you personally, have never met you that I am aware of (would be honored to shake your hand) but have been and am most impressed with, not only what you have said here, but the way you have presented yourself and your explanations of the issues.  You have offered much 'food for thought' in many arenas.

I don't know, but this could be a first for Clay County ... an individual announcing they are running as a write-in candidate for a position in our local goverment.  I do hope My Clay Sun will print your announcement blog in the paper.  How about it Mr. Thames?  Or is this your avenue Jonathan?  Whoever can, please get this out to the citizens of Clay County ..... that they now have a choice of candidates! 

Good Luck Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stryker

Bax;

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the ability of someone to win a write-in campaign in Clay County this year.  I understand your thought process and I'd like to address just a couple of your comments.

If you really want the position, in my opinion, your campaign will have to go beyond the couple to few thousand votes you might get from a write-in campaign. 

I have to play the cards I'm dealt. Or in my case the ones I picked. By the time I decided to start checking on what the process was and how I could get on the ballot it was too late to do anything but a write-in.

I'm glad to see that you think that I can generate a couple to a few thousand votes. If I can get that many I'll do a 3 second tap dance in the street in front of my house.

If I can get that many people to think about the choices they have and vote for something other than the status quo I will have accomplished a great feat. Some of those few thousand might be the seeds that germinate into a group of activists that bring some sweeping changes to the political scene in Clay County.

I know this isn't going to be a walk in the park, but win or lose it will be worth the effort if I can get people thinking about what they really want in government. 

It'll be up to the voters whether or not you get a shot at the job. 

And that is the point! It should be the choice of the voters. But there was no choice. That position was unopposed. How can you call that being 'up to the voters'? I just wish there was enough oppostion to take all these races to the General Election ballot. That is what the process is supposed to be about. It shouldn't be over in August. We need to extend the season.

I must say that I was glad to see Rob go the petition route to get his name on the ballot. He could easily have just paid the filing fee but he chose not to. For that he has my respect. But the fact is that there was no one running against him and there was no choice available.

This way if he takes office he will have earned the seat and not had it given to him by default. That can only be a good thing for him and the voters.

Just plumbing the depths of your committment to run for a position you have publicly advocated against. 

This one may seem like a contradiction but it really isn't. I'm going to try to explain my stance and commitment without insulting the thousands of voters that said yes to the +2 the first time around.

You are correct in that I have publicly advocated against the +2. I don't think we need the +2 with one of them being an elected Chair for 4 years.

Have you ever bought a new car, boat, ATV, house ..... and a week later said to yourself, I wish I hadn't done that? It's called 'buyer's remorse'. Your personal situation changed, that pay raise you thought you were going to get didn't come through, or maybe your expectations weren't met, whatever the reason it's just not what you thought it was.  

I honestly think there is a lot of buyer's remorse out there. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but the economy has changed, the growth that everyone was counting on has slowed, tax revenue has been cut by the state and any number of other reasons.

I don't think we should be committing ourselves to this format at this time. In the future when the county has grown, not projected to grow, but actually grown, then would be the time to look at expansion.

If only 3% of the people that cast a vote are suffering buyer's remorse then I think it is a format whose time has not yet come and we should revert back to the 5 SMD format.

Having said all that let me say this. Make no mistake, if I were to be elected, I can and will do the job.

If I am elected and the position is abolished, my approach will be like that of the manager of a plant that is being moved to a new building next door. The current one must run at 100% capacity until the day the new one comes on line. It must be a seamless transition.

If the voters want to keep the +2 then so be it. I'll still run the plant at 100% capacity and do my best to see that it can continue to do so with the ability to increase capacity well into the future. 

Mike Heemer