Pandora's Box?

The contested mayoral race in our neighboring Terre Haute has brought to mind questions that I feel I must ask, especially if the appeals result in actually removing Mayor Duke Bennet from office permanently.

From what I can figure out, his place of employment received government funds so that made him technically ineligibleto run for public office.

I wonder what would happen if we actually followed through with this precedent of strict enforcement of this ruling? Would it apply to all of the public office positions people hold at city and county level? Is that a good thing? Could it result in major upsets in many positions now held? Could it be taken as far as disqualifying those whose spouse or other member of household benefitted from public funds as well? Let's think about it and what setting a precedent like this might mean to our county?

Does anyone here in Clay County who serves as school board member, county commissioner, Sherriff, etc. benefit from public funds via their employer, whether it is they themselves or via someone else in their household? Those who are employed by Clay Community Schools or whose employer has received any sort of grant … maybe even a child's scholarship or government loan?? What about Farmers Home Administration mortgage or Veteran's Administration benefits? How far can this be taken?

I think we need to learn all the details of this ruling and think long and hard before we support one side or another. I myself do not have any strong feelings towards either of these people who are "arguing" over this currently but just do not know enough about the details to feel really good that we might not be heading down same road over here in Clay County or that we have not overlooked something when qualifying our own local candidates. While the rule might be a good one, if it holds up in court, might we better be prepared to put into effect some sort of Grandfather clause in order to keep our government stable until a regular election is held in order to save the cost of a separate election that might cause additional money to the taxpayer over in Vigo County?

What do you think?