Washington Post: More on May 07 Election
From the Washington Post today comes the continuing saga:
By Bill Turque, Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 31, 2007; VA05Oversight Underplayed
On its Web site, the county's Office of Elections declares that it is "committed to providing each citizen of Fairfax County with the opportunity to exercise his or her right to vote in an efficient and equitable manner in accordance with the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Code of Virginia." Fairfax Electoral Board Chairman Robert J. Sparks Jr. had a more low-key approach in mind when voter complaints surfaced after the May 1 Vienna elections. Several voters said the town's longtime election officers attempted to interfere with their decisions, telling them how many candidates to vote for or hovering behind them as if trying to see their selections. The flap brought to light Vienna's long-standing practice of having Town Clerk Carol A. Orndorff and the Town Council -- whose membership happens to include her son, Michael J. Polychrones -- choose their own election judges. That's something the electoral board does not permit the county's other towns to do. After news stories about the election, Sparks e-mailed board secretary Margaret K. Luca to say, in essence, that the panel should lie low. "What came through [in the stories] was that the inside game that is Vienna politics looks pretty shabby in print," Sparks said in a May 7 message, obtained by town activists under the Freedom of Information Act and first posted by the political blog Historic Vienna. "For now, I do not think there is much that we need to/should say or do, other than, if forced to say something, gently letting the Vienna folks know that we're looking into it, considering various options, etc., which means we may not know what the new system will be, the old system is over. The more we do/say now, the more we create another news story. "For now, let's let it cook and see if the Vienna folks heal themselves," Sparks concluded.
Comments
Amazing. Mr. Robert J. Sparks, Jr is the Fairfax Electoral Board Chairman and yet what is he doing about this sad event in Vienna that probably has taken place for years and years.
"The more we do/say now, the more we create another news story". The story is what is the Fairfax Electoral Board doing? They hope the Vienna folks heal?
A felony happened here folks. The Town of Vienna can continue to commit crime and nothing is done? Where is the justice here?
The Fairfax Electoral Board is looking into this crime considering various options...what options besides taking some people to court and put them in jail.
Why even have an Electoral Board if the Chairman is hoping all will just go away?????
The citizens need answers. The citizens need action.
Posted by: frustrated citizen for years | May 31, 2007 12:07 PM
More garden club inbreeding!
Town of Vienna Mayor, Jane "The Boob" Seeman is a bald-faced liar! By her behavior, she can no longer administer her duties as Mayor with due respect.
RESIGN, JANE!
Posted by: Town Green | May 31, 2007 12:41 PM
The more I talk to people the more I hear that this too happened to them. This has been quiet for too long and I commend the journalists who are writing about this. Thank you.
Posted by: Susan Stich | May 31, 2007 01:07 PM
Here Here Town Green!
Posted by: go back to making cookies | May 31, 2007 01:09 PM
From Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood:
Children, can you say:
"Nepotism?"
Posted by: The Rules of the Game | May 31, 2007 01:26 PM
How come no long-winded Steve Rigby post under here?
Posted by: vienna mommy | May 31, 2007 01:47 PM
I have voted in many many places and they all vote that way, and it's always been that way, and every manual I have ever read says it supposed to be that way, and you must not have read the memos Maud sent out to everyone, because she told us to do it that way, and you just don't know as much as me, because I am telling you the way it is and its not supposed to be any different, and you are just a bunch of sour grapes... need I say more? Felonious behavior or not, it's the way we do things! And if you do it any other way, somebody may lose an eye!
PS I am not really Steve, but that's what he would say, is it not?
Posted by: Steve Rigby Impersonator | May 31, 2007 02:10 PM
In general, I disagree with most of the anti-incumbent commentary on this site, but on this point, I agree... the issue about the election officials is valid and it certainly appears our leaders are unwilling to own up to their involvement on this issue.
Posted by: Against Historic VIenna, but agree on this | May 31, 2007 08:57 PM
Then doesn't it make you wonder why would they not want to do anything? They are hoping it will go away, just like everything always has with only a few know knowing the truth. Doesn't it make you wonder what else could they be hiding? Glad though that you have an open mind about this one.
Posted by: frustrated | June 1, 2007 12:01 PM
I was looking forward to voting in the May election, but unfortunately, as a newer resident, I had no idea where the polling places were. Isn't there some mailed notification? I guess I'm just used to seeing some notification, non-partisan materials, and a precinct assignment.
In real elections, poll workers are required to attend training prior to every election, regardless of previous experience. As a former poll worker, we were drilled in procedure and statute to ensure a smooth and fair election. Just how many polling locations are there for a Town Council election?
Posted by: Newer Resident | July 5, 2007 09:37 PM
There is only the Vienna Community Center for voting as of now.
Posted by: Historic Vienna | July 5, 2007 09:43 PM