No pre-election pressuring at D-3 poll

Contributed
Published: June 19, 2008

To the editor,
Last week’s story titled “Election fallout continues” stated that District 2 Supervisor Zach Burkett complained to Commonwealth’s Attorney Diana Wheeler about a Goodwin supporter who boarded a nursing home bus and “pressured” the occupants. He failed to mention that a Satterfield supporter also boarded the same bus.
It was a wonderful excursion for the nursing home residents who appeared to be having a fun time and seemed to enjoy the recognition being given them. The bus parked well outside the electioneering setback. Its door was open and I was the first to go aboard.
I identified myself and told the nice group of about six ladies that I had served on the Orange County Nursing Home Commission for 16 years. I then asked if they knew Adelle Goodwin who was a resident at the home and was the aunt of supervisor candidate Teel Goodwin. Most of them said they knew Adelle. I gave each a copy of Teel’s campaign pamphlet and asked for their support. I believe my entire stay on the bus was no longer then 90 seconds.
After I stepped off, Mrs. Althea Pace went aboard. She was working the firehouse polling precinct for Steve Satterfield, Teel Goodwin’s opponent. I don’t know what Mrs. Pace said or did, nor do I remember how long she stayed aboard.
Mr. Burkett alleges that someone “pressured” the ladies. This was far from the truth and there were no witnesses to substantiate his claim. I knew most of these nursing home residents and was complimented when several called me by name. I also do not believe that Mrs. Pace “pressured” anyone.
Mr. Burkett is digging at the bottom of a soiled barrel to throw a smokescreen over pre-election misdoings, such as posting fraudulent websites against Thomas Edward Graves in District 2 and Teel Goodwin in District 3.
My family came to Orange County 10 generations ago and probably the same for the Graves and Goodwin families. I am 80 years old and the only local election I missed since turning 21 was in 1951 while I was serving in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. I can truthfully say that I have never seen before this type of election misbehavior in Orange County.
Duff Green
Orange