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Ignore the voter, risk being ignored

By SUE CARLTON
Published October 16, 2006

An imaginary scene from the office of Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Buddy Johnson:

Staffer standing at Johnson's office door: Sir? Those "Taking Back Hillsborough" people who want to get their issue on the November ballot are calling again. The county mayor people, remember? They want more time to get signatures on their petitions.

Johnson (typing on his computer): Take a message. Now let's see. Six cups of Karo syrup ... eight cups Dixie Crystals sugar ... pinch of salt ...

Staffer: But sir -

Johnson: Hush! I'm trying to re-create the secret BuddyFreddy's restaurant recipe for Plant City Peach Pandowdy for the office Christmas party.

(Staffer later returns.)

Staffer: Sir, those Taking Back people sent a letter saying - sir? Can you hear me?

Johnson (whipping off his headphones): Which piped-in music do you think would be more inspirational for voters at their polling places? A little Streisand? Or maybe that Jessica Simpson ...

(Staffer comes back later.)

Staffer: Sir, the Taking Back people really want to know -

Johnson: Listen, get the public information guy, Steve Holub, to talk to them, okay?

Staffer: But sir, you asked him to resign and paid him $24,000 never to speak of this office again.

Johnson: Oh, right. Well, I have a perfectly competent, 27-year-old, recently promoted clerical worker who's never done this in charge of those petitions. When she's not working on early voting. I'm sure everything will be fine.

(Staffer later returns.)

Staffer: Um, sir? It appears we might have misplaced some of those petitions they submitted.

Johnson (perusing paint swatches): I can't stand to look at the pink paint on this building another second. What color do you think would work best? And could somebody please get all these phone messages off my desk?

Staffer: Just one more, sir. Your broker called.

* * *

But seriously.

The Times' Jeff Testerman reported last week that the group backing the county mayor initiative tried to contact Johnson hoping for more time. They said Johnson did not return their calls or answer their letters. Johnson said his office was too busy to give an extension.

During that period, over several days, Johnson did manage to sell off blocks of restaurant stock he owned, making a tidy $64,000. He told the Times he used an "automated process" and insisted his stock trading had no impact on his job.

His office lost more than 1,400 petitions and wrongly booted some valid ones, the group says.

The county mayor issue won't be on the November ballot but ultimately qualified to be there in 2008.

The backers of an important ballot initiative wonder why the supervisor wasn't, well, more of a supervisor. In part they blame his lack of attention for the two-year delay.

At a time when voters have a hard enough time trusting candidates - not to mention longtime politicians - isn't it more crucial than ever that the elections process itself be clear, open and accessible?

Here's another interesting item Hillsborough voters will see on the 2008 ballot: Johnson himself, up for re-election. Now there's something worth paying attention to.

Sue Carlton can be reached at carlton@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 16, 2006, 00:06:25]