Where’s Waldo, er, Steven Johnson?
Matthew Santoni has written a piece in this morning’s examiner about Steven Johnson’s "fight" to get his name on the ballot in the upcoming Aberdeen city elections. Johnson, who owns Johnson Family Pharmacy in downtown Aberdeen, has been denied entry into the elections because his primary residence is outside city limits. City law states that you must live in the city for 2 years to be qualified to run for office.
Johnson claims that his primary residence is in the 100 block of Post Rd, and that his other address of the 300 block of Fords Lane in Perryman just houses one of his offices. Now, I not going to publish the exact addresses, but one can easily find this info out on the web, do a map search (microsoft’s live has the best and most recently updated pictures of Aberdeen’s properties), and make a decision for yourself.
According to Johnson:
“I want to do everything within the law. I don’t want to pull the wool
over the eyes of Aberdeen’s voters,” Johnson said. “I do know where I
live, though.”
But then later in the article:
He referred questions about how long he has lived at each address to his attorney.
I guess he knows where he lives, but is just not willing to share how long. How is this not "pulling the wool over the eye’s of Aberdeen’s voters"? Aberdeen residents have no need for games like this.
One final question, is it voter fraud to cast votes in elections in cities in which you do not live?
Absolutley it is voter fraud. The City of Aberdeen and its residents deserve better.
Councilwoman Elliott has stated at several Council Meetings that the Mayor and Council should follow the City Charter, “it is our Constitution.”
What I would like to know is why the Charter does not apply to Mr. Johnson which clearly states the two year residency requirement.
“If you give an inch, they will take a mile” as soon as you deviate from charters or constitutions. It’s up to the citizens to hold those in office responsible. I’m not saying that the charter should never be changed, but there is a process for it, and the entire community should be involved, or at least given notice.
Why Aberdeen? Why is there always all this drama about Aberdeen? Does anyone else feel a little embarassed? Why can’t this happen in Belair!!!!
You know there’s some funny stuff on the Dagger. This guy’s going to open a PO Box in Aberdeen just so he can run for City Council in ‘09! Come on Johnson, don’t let this guy down!
It seems that the would be opposition are nervous over the support I’m receiving and would like to see me fail. So what do you do in that position…steal their yard signs.
Many of my signs have gone missing day or night, but not surprisingly, just mine. They are not knocked down, but taken swiftly off the stake and not thrown on the ground nearby, but more like taken and placed in a car to be disposed of later.
In the end I’ll just continue to place and replace them, realizing they are just a cardboard sign.
State Highway routinely takes political signs that are place in the rightaway. I would check there before the accusations start flying.
It seems like every year canidates are complaining about someone ’stealing’ signs. If all the canidates complain about thier signs being ’stolen’ then I guess easch canidate is guilty!
By the way, exactly who’s signs were taken?