To the editor:
A while ago, the chairman of the Democrat Party wrote a letter endorsing two of the candidates running for Steubenville City Council spots in next month's General Election ("City Council seats up for grabs," Sept. 10.) These two individuals are not listed as Democrats on the ballot on the website of the Jefferson County Board of Elections, although both are lifelong members of that party. Instead, Ted Gorman is running as an independent for the 5th Ward and former 4th Ward Councilman Scott Dressel is running as a write-in for council at large. Why didn't either of these lifelong Democrats run for their party's nomination in the primary … in which zero Democrats were running? Why didn't the local Democrat Party find people to run in these open slots? The answer is very simple.
Because to their credit, the local Democrat Party is smart. They know the game around here has changed and this county now bleeds red. They know the (D) next to someone's name doesn't mean what it used to in bygone days. They want to hide that (D.) They don't want you to remember, or even know, that the people they endorse support the local Democrat Party and both support Issue One which will open the door for everything from late term abortion to protecting child predators.
This is nothing personal about the two gentlemen running. This is about the new strategy of Democrats in our area. Like Issue One's Trojan Horse amendment, which cloaks the removal of parental notification and the risks of predatory abuse of minors in abortion rights, the local Democrats want to sneak back into power without calling their candidates Democrats. Because they know that most times they'll lose.
If you live in Steubenville, please be aware of the new tricks. Again, this isn't about the individuals running, it's about the individual they'll be paying back for his endorsement.
Write in Joel Walker for council at large.
Vote for Dave Albaugh for First Ward council.
Vote for Heather Hoover for Third Ward council.
Vote for Larry Gerber for Fifth Ward.
Thank you.
Don Materniak
Steubenville