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Letters to the Editor: The High Cost of Democracy

Letters to the Editor

The High Cost of Democracy

To the Editor:

The District Council 37 Local 768 "2005" election saga continues. Candidate Fritz Reid, after a failed attempt to become president of the local, has requested yet another recount of the recent member votes that elected the incumbent, Darryl Ramsey as president for the 2006 term. It would be funny if it were not so sad.

Mr. Reid, in the previous election, demanded a recount (at an approximate cost of $40,000) when he then lost the election to President Darryl Ramsey. It goes without saying that the recount only verified the obvious: Mr. Ramsey was named as president of Local 768.

Yet here we are again accommodating Mr. Reid's egotistical desire to become president by allowing him to request a recount of the votes. Mr. Reid is also seeking to invalidate the entire electoral process by requesting a new election. Granted, there do seem to be some voter irregularities - and many would say that the irregularities stem from the "Reid Team" campaign tactics. However, is it fair to ask the members to pick up yet another $40,000 tab just to soothe a wounded ego? That doesn't seem fair.

Mr. Reid should foot the bill himself. As it stands now, he has nothing to lose (except the members' money) and everything to gain if he can conjure up a dubious win.

WILLIE CRUMP, Ex-Local 768 Treasurer