Illuminating What's Wrong with the Marion County Democratic Party

One race on the slating card for tomorrow's Marion County Democratic Convention clearly demonstrates everything that is wrong with the County Party.  Slating, of course, is meant to eliminate any Primary contest.  The excuse for our County being the only one in the State and nearly the only one in the Country to slate candidates for the spring ballot is that folks 'who know the candidates best' make the better decision over the electorate.  Meanwhile, the County Chairman is busy recruiting temporary Precinct Committeemen, Vice-PCs, Ward Chairs, and Vice-WCs to vote in tomorrow's slating exactly like he wants them to.

The race for County Clerk is important to everyone.  The Mayor's job is the only one that is more demanding and more extensive than is that of the Clerk.  Beth White, the current Clerk, has done a phenomenal job in her tenure; but term limits bar her from continuing.  At her side has been the able Myla Eldridge, for many years the person actually running the elections.

Eldridge is clearly the best candidate.  She knows what the job entails and has excelled at it.  She is exceedingly competent - exactly what you want in a public servant in a demanding job.  While under her watch, Eldridge and White have improved the election process leaps and bounds. 

The Clerk also has responsibility for all of the records of the Superior Courts, marriage licenses, probate, child support, and campaign finance.  It will be a nightmare if any of these gets messed up.

Eldridge's opponent is the current Coroner, Frank Lloyd.  He has been totally incompetent.  He started his tenure by firing Pathologists who later won a discrimination lawsuit against the City because of it.  Autopsies take too long.  Getting a death certificate from his office is a challenge.  Body parts, unmentionable ooze, stench and indignity of human remains have been cited under his watch.  He hasn't shown up at Council hearings to present and defend his budget for years.  For some reason, he is the only one who gets a pass in being held accountable.

If elected, Lloyd would either have to be a ghost employee or the County would face severely damaged elections, court proceedings, and messed up child support issues.  He has been an utter failure as Coroner.

Hopefully for all of us, there will be fewer hand selected voters at tomorrow's slating and more elected PCs and V-PCs who will vote for good, capable, government by voting for Myla Eldridge.