Dear Editors:

I was surprised to read in the Sunday August 28th edition of the Forsyth County News that School Board Chairman Nancy Roche told a reporter that County Commissioner David Richard had misinterpreted her comments about special elections made at the Republican Women of Forsyth County meeting. I attended that same meeting along with about 25 others. I have spoken to several of those present and they interpreted her comments in the same way Commissioner Richard heard them.

Nancy Roche stated to the group that she wanted special elections for school board issues so that “only the informed would vote.”

When questioned at the meeting, she defended this statement by saying that if issues regarding taxation or bonds were on the ballot with gubernatorial or presidential candidates, voters would automatically vote “no.” The voter would simply see “tax” and vote “no.” To me, this means she regards someone who votes “no” on taxation or bond issue as uninformed and, therefore, should be left out of the process.

Voters in this county are quite capable of making two kinds of decisions on the ballot at the same time. They can fully examine a bond referendum, vote “no” or “yes” and vote for a governor at the same time---this is not hard.

In the past, some areas of our nation have been troubled by corruption in the voting process, including ballot-box stuffing, an action that denies equal votes to its citizens. By rigging the dates of election in order to exclude certain voters, the school board is engaging in a form of “legal ballot box stuffing.” The citizens of Forsyth County should reject these brazen attempts to control elections. Unfortunately these efforts at manipulation seem all too prevalent in school board politics generally.

All voters are valuable to the process of running a government and should be treated with respect. Anyone serving the public

as an elected official who has such utter contempt for her constituency, and voices that contempt in a public forum should resign--- NOW.

I considered suggesting that Ms. Roche apologize, however at this time an apology would be insincere. Since her contempt for the voting public seemed so passionately held, her resignation is the only acceptable option.

Lyn Ward

Recording Secretary

Forsyth County Republican Party Executive Committee

Member Republican Women of Forsyth County