What officials say often has an effect on voters

These are quotes by various elected officials that have been cited by local news media in the last couple of days.

John Crawford: "Sometimes in order to get anything done, we just have to barrel ahead."

This statement is not having the effect city councilman Crawford was expecting. I've listened to many people about the comment. There are basically two interpretations of the quote that I've heard. First is that it sounds like FW city council acts before it thinks in order to keep momentum hoping that they can fix anything they didn't anticipate as it arises. Second I've been told that it sounds like they make the mistake of seeing action as progress. Action for the sake of action is not progress. Overall though, Crawford is too popular for this to have any serious harm to himself.


Terry McDonald " It goes on to say that, "each and every city, town, township, unincorporated village, farmers, Amish, fire districts, minority groups, and any other affected party must be at the table and must have an equal vote and voice."

Comments like that go farther than the borders of New Haven. Could McDonald be laying groundwork for a county position? With unrest in New Haven concerning all elected officials he might have something up his sleeve.


Graham Richard "I'd like to see a new government with one elected chief county-wide executive and one county-wide elected body."

This one doesn't hurt Graham, but it does hurt consolidation supporters. Residents in the county fear that FW would rule the county in a Unigov situation. Graham's comment entrenches that line of thought even further.

Marla Irving: "I think the notion he (Richard) brought up is exactly what is city government. They have an executive, the mayor, and an elected legislative body, the city council. So, is that reforming our community, or is that just taking city government and making it go border to border?"

While her public image is still hurting, this comment might save her in May. Before this comment was made rural residents weren't sure where she stood on the issue. I'm not sure she knew until the county council backed her opponent. This should put a halt to any slip in votes in the county.