Readers respond to Smith upset

May 16, 2012

By Mike Weland

I've been covering local elections in Boundary County for more than 20 years, and yesterday's primary went pretty much as I'd anticipated with one exception; Commissioner Ron Smith's 198-vote loss to challenger Lee Pinkerton.

Congratulations most certainly go out to Lee, but somehow, it never dawned on me that Smith, a public servant almost continuously since he was elected sheriff in 1983, could be unseated. After all, he had never lost an election among Boundary County voters. I don't think I was alone in thinking that the only way he'd fail to be elected would be by choosing not to run.

So this morning I posed the question to those who follow this site via Facebook, "Anyone have ideas on what brought about the upset?"

"The annexation of a part of town that didn't want to be annexed?" Melinda Brinkman wrote.

"That can't be," I replied, "Ron is a County Commissioner and had nothing to do with the city decision to annex."

"But Mike," she answered, "the perception in the neighborhood was that no one, county or city, cared either way. The feeling of lack of compassion for the people that you claim to represent is a death sentence to anyone in politics. My neighborhood feels completely let down and disrespected by all city and county officials."

Justified or not, it is a fact that elections are swayed by public perception, and Melinda's was the only objective answer to the question I posed.

"I think Lee Pinkerton is a good man who is really passionate about Boundary County and the people in it," Tia Avery wrote. "He will do a wonderful job protecting our lands and our rights! Lee is a no nonsense kind of guy who will stand up for what he believes in. I would like to take a minute to thank Ron Smith for serving Boundary County all these years. This job is one of those positions where no matter what you decide, you have made someone angry. We are greatful to you for what you have given to the community and continue to give as the GREATEST BADGER BOOSTER OF ALL TIME!"

"Ron has done a lot for this county, but there really needs to be fresh thoughts, perceptions and ideas injected into all government periodically," wrote William Suldovsky. "I welcome Lee Pinkerton's approach on issues and wish him the best. Ron will still hold, as Tia already mentioned, the title for the Greatest Badger Booster of all time!"

If you have thoughts on the subject, send me an email to publisher@newsbf.com.