The politics of politics

Our Senior Political Correspondent openly admitted today that sometimes his 'beat' is not the most exciting, but oh so essential. He had the attention of a group of our 'bus stop kids' who were in for a taping. They were quite attentive and well-behaved--our future voting citizens!

Ironically, this day we have a blockbuster political story busting at the seams. This story is too good to be true.

Ward 6, an east side ward in Cleveland, held an election to fill the spot which opened when former City Council woman, Pat Britt, took the position of Council Clerk. Sounds pretty routine.

There were six candidates vying for the position. Three of them hold criminal records.

The candidates were:

• John A. Boyd
• Yvonne R. Grimes
• James Thomas Jr.
• Ernest Turner
• Billy R. Walker
• Mamie Mitchell

Mitchell is the interim City Council woman hand picked by Britt, and most favored to win with a landslide. I guess that's the 'politics of politics.' In her short time as acting Council woman, she has not impressed many of her constituents. In fact, she failed her first big test. We received call after call after call at the news assignment desk in the midst of the big 'blizzard' from many of her constituents complaining that they were forced to be home bound because their streets had not been plowed. Many never saw a plow for 5 days. Ward 6 residents who called believed their council person should have gone to bat for them with city hall.

Boyd was convicted of murder in 1973. He has other convictions including drug trafficking, several counts of forgery, theft and receiving stolen property. He is a felon running for office. The catch 22 is that the Board of Elections says felons have the right to run but can not hold the office?!?! More 'politics.'

Grimes pleaded guilty to attempted forgery charges and theft.

Turner was convicted on a misdemeanor drug charge in 1986.

I searched high and low to learn about the other two candidates, Thomas Jr. and Walker. There was hardly any press about these two. We may never know if they were the right folks for the job!

When all was said and done, interim Council Woman Mamie Mitchell and John A. Boyd received the most votes. Boyd says he will fight to the finish, but if felons can not serve, may be a futile attempt. The next Ward 6 council person will be chosen in a run-off April 22nd.

Being able to vote is a great privilege and should be taken very seriously. It is what makes this country great! However, nothing is perfect. Looking in from the outside, it seems that a lot of money and time was wasted on this election day when some candidates were hidden, other candidates' dirty laundry was prominently aired, and everyone seemed to know the outcome before the process even began!

'Politics of politics.'