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Candidates call for storing machines at neutral site
Published Monday, July 21, 2008
Hisel calls for ‘honesty in election process’
By George L. Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
The back-and-forth over the purity of the city’s election process continued on the steps of Selma’s Federal Building on Monday morning.
City Council presidential candidate Gene Hisel called a press conference to address the “perception of polling problems” in the Aug. 26 municipal elections.
The city council’s request for federal poll watchers in polling places during the elections indicates suspicion of possible problems, Hisel said.
“I would hope that even through the perception of any wrongdoing, the city council would move those machines to another location,” Hisel said. “The time to take care of wrongdoing in the voting process is before it happens, not after the election is over. It makes it much easier for the voters and the city.”
Selma City Clerk Lois Williams said during a recent city council meeting she would store the machines in the basement of City Hall until election day. Councilman Cecil Williamson questioned the change, as opposed to city’s normal procedure of storing machines in the Dallas County Courthouse.
Lola Sewell, a candidate in Ward 7, and Carrie Pressley, a candidate in Ward 4, also voiced their concerns Monday. Sewell said similar issues came up when she ran for the same seat four years ago.
“Some of us candidates felt back in 2004 that we had won the election, but the results didn’t show up that way,” Sewell said. “So now this just tells me that maybe there was some wrongdoing during the election in 2004.”
Some residents, however, didn’t see a problem with the way the city is handling the voting machines, which Election Systems & Software makes.
“I don’t really think the machines will be tampered with at all,” said Fred Chaney, a retired firefighter. “They can move them and put them where they want to put them, but I don’t think they’ll be tampered with.”
State Rep. Yusuf Salaam said that although he is not involved with this election, it was vital to protect the integrity of the process.
It’s very important that these citizens in Selma can have confidence, that whatever the result, it was achieved under fair and equitable and non-polluted circumstances,” Salaam said. “I think because of that concern, we want whatever government coming out of this election to have the utmost credibility. I support the idea that Mr. Hisel and others are advocating.”
Comments
Posted by Something2think_about (anonymous) on July 21, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can only see 2 reasons why Lois Williams and Mayor Perkins would NOT agree to this simple request. One, they could be childishly stubborn and flatly refuse (We have all seen the mayor do this more than once). OR TWO, they have something to hide. Either way, if they do refuse it makes them look bad.
I say come on move the darn machines and lets get back to trying to bring some decent changes to this city already!
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on July 21, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, It looks like Gene found a way to get some free publicity by stating the obvious. Kind of a cheap shot, but I've known him forever and still hope he wins. Popdukes12
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Free Publicity? Are you kidding me? This is a serious matter that requires attention within our city. Mr. Hisel is one of the only one's to stand up for what's right and equal for EVERYONE. He is publicizing this because it is pertinent information. If YOU vote, then this affects YOU. The whole city should be asking questions to why these machines are being moved and assuring voter equality and count balance. Isn't it enough that Perkins has kin folks handling the process???
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeonyou , (Publicity
an act or device designed to attract public interest; specifically : information with news value issued as a means of gaining public attention or support . ) Is he running for an office ? YES , Did he pay for the news conference ? NO , Did it put his name a well as this issue in the paper ? YES ,
That's called " FREE PUBLICITY ' .
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeonyou , If you want him to win , and he wants to win,. Then the more his name is out there in the press etc , addressing the issues the better his chance are at winning . " FREE PUBLICITY " is a good thing for someone running for an office.
Posted by allmylife (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Joker, whether it was your intention or not, I must commend you on deftly shifting the focus from Perk to Hisel.
The truth is that the majority of people in Selma do not trust Perkins.
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
allmylife, I did not intend to shift neither did I shift anything. The shift got away from the story before my post.
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is your shift >>>>.
Free Publicity? Are you kidding me? This is a serious matter that requires attention within our city. Mr. Hisel is one of the only one's to stand up for what's right and equal for EVERYONE. He is publicizing this because it is pertinent information. If YOU vote, then this affects YOU. The whole city should be asking questions to why these machines are being moved and assuring voter equality and count balance. Isn't it enough that Perkins has kin folks handling the process???
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have wasted enough of my time ,
this is ridiculous .
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
""an act or device designed to attract public interest; specifically : information with news value issued as a means of gaining public attention or support . ) Is he running for an office ? YES , Did he pay for the news conference ? NO , Did it put his name a well as this issue in the paper ? YES ,
That's called " FREE PUBLICITY '""
I'm sorry...I didn't realize in todays world of politics that candidates have to pay for a NEWS CONFERENCE?? What world are you in there smart guy? He did put his name on the issue because he is the ONE CONCERNED and BRINGING IT PUBLIC. The elections are in AUGUST. Therefore, this is pertinent information that the public needs to be aware of. I think you are actually the one wasting peoples time trying to argue a pointless post you've made. The conference and issue are very relevent. Of course it wouldn't be for you b/c supporting Perkins...a voting fraud would be advantageous. Try something else.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess the public being blind to the fact of Voting Machines NOW being moved to the basement of CITY HALL and sitting there 5 to 6 days before elections....versus being in the Court House like every other election in the past isn't fishy??? I guess that doesn't warrant any kind of questioning by the public? I guess citizens are supposed to sit back and keep our mouth shut like we were expected for the Bond Issue. No, not now brotha. That got shot down because people weren't going to be snowed over and bankrupted by these so called leaders.
Posted by allmylife (anonymous) on July 22, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Add to that the very recent moving around and adding of personel in the city clerks office. It's also reported that Asst. City Clerk, Ivy Harrison, who has a great reputation has been moved from the area and that City Clerk Lois Williams has publicly professed her support of Perkins.
An honest election on Perk's watch?? Ha!
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 27, 2008 at 3:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeonyou , You really should learn to read.
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 27, 2008 at 3:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
allmylife , 'Newsflash' the story was about Hisel .
Posted by Joker (anonymous) on July 27, 2008 at 3:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeonyou,
Sorry about the delay in my reply ISP problems , the waste of time, is defending an opioin when someone takes it out of context and put their on spin on it. In your post you have made my point. Thanks
Posted by melaniemorrison (anonymous) on November 12, 2008 at 6:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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