08/20/02  Commissioners' Court 

I attended the Commissioners' Court on Judge Lee Jackson's last day.

The court was packed with elected officials.  Most spoke briefly to thank Judge Jackson for the great job he has done for the last 16 years.  District Attorney Hill reminded him that he is Chair of UNT'S Board of Directors will be his Jackson's boss.  It was all very touching.  Especially when Judge Jackson spoke and got choked up.  I pray his replacement can be as fair as he has been.

After this wonderful time of sharing, I almost chickened out on giving my speech.  BUT, Commissioner Mayfield reminded Elections Dept. Director Bruce Sherbet about how some time ago Mayfield had requested the removal of someone who was not doing a good job at the polls and was told the person could not be removed.  After this, I had to speak.  I was the first speaker, but 34 others spoke on behalf of Lucie.

The bottom line -- she did not have a chance.  Jim Jackson read some information about how it was not they who chose the early election judges.  Like Pontius Pilot, he washed his hands.  Commissioner Mayfield was furious about this whole mess because it turns out that the problem was that the Elections Dept. did not include some write-in ballots and information in the box given to Lucie Weaver.  It was clear the mess was not her fault, BUT Price got his way.  She will not work the early elections.  Instead a woman who worked for a Democrat in Washington but voted as a Republican this year will be her replacement.  I left very disappointed that there had been no justice for a woman who has been above reproach for the last nine years.  Price is a good example about how an elected official can abuse his power.  So be it.

After all was said and done, I went to Bruce Sherbet and told him to remove my name because I will never work another election.  He asked me to think about it for at least a week.  I said  there was nothing to think about.  Watch out Dallas County because now we have Price in charge.  With Lipscomb out, elections should be very interesting.  Unfortunately, the apathy is so bad most people don't care what happens here in Dallas until it is too late.

In closing, it is sad that in this day and time there are still people who are so bitter about what happened in the past with slavery.  All they think about is how they will get back at the rest of us.  Sorry if this all sounds like I am a poor loser.  The reality is that we have elected officials who do not stand up to be counted when an injustice is committed.

         Mary Lou