Make the right choice
During this time of world upheaval there are many who fault the United States for taking a strong stand against oppression and vindictive threat. Others are thankful that Uncle Sam, nearly alone, had the courage to stand up for freedom. President George Bush had the fortitude to make a choice.
The same often can be true on the home front. People have a choice. They exercise that choice when they vote, even at the smallest level of government.
Voters in the Marion-Florence Unified School District must make a choice Tuesday. Only one position on the elected board is being challenged. All others have but one person on the ballot.
The position that offers voters a choice is the at-large spot. And the choice is big.
All registered voters in the school district are eligible to vote and will share in the decision.
The two candidates are Sarah Cope of Florence and Doug Sharp of Marion.
Both are well educated and fully qualified, but we believe Sharp would be a poor choice.
He currently serves on the USD board and is seeking re-election to a third term.
A Marion resident for the past 11 years, he is manager of the Scully Estates office and is president of Midlands Farm Service. Both are important to the local economy and Sharp is said to be efficient in his professional capacity.
He has children in school, is active in church and community affairs, and has many friends in the business as well as the social community.
Cope is running for the school board for the first time. She and her husband, Clint, have lived in the community for the past six years. He is a rancher.
They have three children in school.
She works at the Florence city office and has been a substitute teacher as well as a paraprofessional at Marion Elementary School.
Cope is also director of the Kid's Club at Florence, is vice president of Florence Historical Society, a member of Marion County Economic Development Committee, and is a class member of Leadership Marion County.
She has been active on school committees, the site council, and is involved in 4-H.
During a recent public forum of candidates both were asked whether they support random drug testing of students.
Cope said money for testing is put to good use even if it stops only one person from getting involved with drugs.
Sharp said he was a "less than enthusiastic supporter."
There's where the difference between the candidates becomes an issue.
It's a matter of character and setting a good role model for students to follow.
Cope is a highly regarded and respected family-oriented parent.
Sharp is being faced in court on charges of furnishing alcohol to minors.
The incident took place Aug. 10, 2002, nearly eight months ago, and was duly reported in this newspaper.
Since then there have been long delays in court. The report wasn't filed by police until Aug. 15. Sharp's first appearance was set for Nov. 6.
Due to a possible conflict of interest, because the county attorney also is a member of the school board, a special prosecutor was appointed.
Officer Dean Keyes filed the original report. The press was given access to the report, which indicated a party evidently was held by youth at the Sharp residence on the night noted and beer was consumed from the Sharp refrigerator as well as from a cooler brought to the home.
Officers said Sharp admitted that he did not attempt to take alcohol away from the minors, though he was present.
While the Constitution guarantees that a person accused is not guilty unless convicted, public policy in the past has been that public figures should avoid such controversy.
Many in the community felt that Sharp should have resigned his position on the school board when he became accused. Some fellow members of the board agreed, but said they lacked authority to force him off the board prior to a conviction.
Instead of resigning, Sharp filed for re-election.
The delay in court has continued, though it is possible that a decision may be made prior to the election.
If not, voters will have that opportunity.
— BILL MEYER
