Cabell County's Citizens are Apathetic and Disengaged

Our county's citizens are increasingly more apathetic and less engaged in the public sphere today than at any point in recent history. Civic and political participation is plummeting, as evidenced by the low voter turnout in past city elections.

Since we have retreated from political and civic life, our local governments have become increasingly dominated by a small, unrepresentative group of public officials who have chosen political careerism over public service. To ensure their political survival, our public officials entrench themselves in the system and reinforce barriers to citizen participation. Running for public office, the gold standard of active citizenry has become too costly for most citizens to undertake. Local candidates often spend thousands of dollars to run for mayoral, city council and county offices.

Citizen seats on boards, commissions and authorities, designed specifically for the public-at-large, are often not publicized or filled, further removing community residents from the decision-making processes that directly affect their lives. An example is the two current vacancies that exist on the City of Huntington Human Relations Commission, of which I am the chairperson.

The "good ole' boy" system is alive and well in Cabell County. Only citizens who register and vote can assure that "new blood" candidates are elected.

Register and vote in the 2008 elections, for the sake of our county. Get involved!