Uncensored support for Rick Bailey

I submitted a letter to the Cleburne Times-Review editor last week that was published in the Sunday paper.  It was in support of Rick Bailey for Johnson County Precinct 1 Commissioner.  It was printed as follows:

"I've had the pleasure of getting to know and work with Rick Bailey over the last few years since being elected to the Joshua City Council.  I’ve found him to have a true servant’s heart.  Rick understands that the job is about serving the needs of the people.  He is conscientious and caring.  He’s mindful of the budget and has found creative ways to keep costs down and complete much needed projects.  Over the last year or so I’ve attended nearly every commissioners court meeting.  I do that because I’m committed to my city and county and care about county affairs.  Any serious candidate should have the same level of commitment. Like many others who have written their complimentary sentiments about him I too am proud to support Rick Bailey for Precinct 1 Commissioner."

I was disappointed when I read my words in print because some of my words were not there.  They chose to edit out a rather important point.  Here's the rest of the story:

"Over the last year or so I’ve attended nearly every commissioners court meeting.  I do that because I’m committed to my city and county and care about county affairs.  Any serious candidate should have the same level of commitment, but an appearance in commissioners court by any of Rick’s challengers is a rarity."

Apparently that was deemed disparaging to the other candidates and not suitable for print.  Today is election day and I think it's important for people to know that four people are challenging Rick for his job, but none of them have been to witness any county business more than a few times (and I'm being generous) over the last year and most of those times were around the time they filed their ballot application.

I'm not trying to compare them to Rick for attendance.  He has the job and gets paid to be there.  I'm just saying if you want a job serving the people and you're telling everyone that you're the best person for the job you should spend some time seeing what's really going on in the county.  Believe it or not there's more to the job than road work.

A.J.