 On The Line -- Issue 673 -- February 8, 2008  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 673 -- February 8, 2008 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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Tip O'Neill, late Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, once noted that all politics is local. That has added meaning in small communities, such as San Benito County, where most residents know most of the others by name or recognition.
County Clerk Joe Paul Gonzalez was at his office very early to keep on top of the process. Although he took charge of last year's municipal election, the one of Feb. 5 - part of Super Tuesday's 20-plus primaries and caucuses all around the nation -- was the first federal election for which he was responsible. On the ballot were a number of state measures dealing with a transportation tax, community college funding, limits on legislators' terms and a referendum on Indian gaming contracts. But the biggest draw was the opportunity to vote for a presidential candidate. Gonzalez is familiar with the electoral process, having worked closely with his predecessor, John R. Hodges, before the latter retired after a 24-year career a little more than a year ago. He also has quite a few staff members who have worked on many elections over the years, veterans who take special care to see that the ballots are tallied and tallied again so the results will be accurate. They include Lillian Pereira, Kim Hawk and Lupe Maldonado whose desks are close to Gonzalez' office, and who have become expert in anticipating any possible glitch that could delay the system. All the staff members were wearing red blouses that evening that are inscribed with the legend, "San Benito County, 2008 Election." No taxpayer money spent here as each worker paid $15 for it. Mike Hodges, son of the former county clerk, was at his post as he has been in many election nights in overseeing reception and tallying of votes along with disseminating progress sheets to any of the public attending. Anther reminder of John Hodges' legacy was daughter Donna Ryder who turned up with husband Jeff Ryder to lend a hand. Many of the regular staff inquired how her father was enjoying retirement. She said, You know Dad. He's happy tending to his cattle." Although this election had no local people on the ballot, "We've been busy all afternoon and evening," Kim Hawk noted shortly after 7 p.m., with less than an hour until the polls closed. Indeed, from at least 6:30 p.m. until 8, many people stopped by to turn in their absentee ballots. One such woman many have been the last voter of the county when she arrived at 7:58 with her ballot in hand. One old duffer, who knows most of the staff, came in with his absentee ballot and presented it to Sally Navarez with mock severity. "I charge you with the solemn responsibility of accepting my ballot and seeing that it is duly processed and recorded." Without blinking an eye, she replied, "I'll put it in the shredder myself." In the meantime, staff members and volunteers took time to get a little something to eat from a buffet set up in the rear of the room. It included, miniature frankfurters in a rich sauce, chicken wings, meatballs, salad, chips, dips, burritos, and a pot of tamales made by Kim Hawk, and Gonzalez generously waved his hand a columnist to partake of the food. Among people dropping off their ballots in the final hour was Jan Ivancovich, wife of former Hollister mayor John Ivancovich -- familiarly known to colleagues as "Johnnie I.", in the 1970s and ?80s. Another such drop-in was Irma Rodriguez, who was elected to the San Benito Health Foundation's board of directors in the 1990s. Her husband, Joe Rodriguez, was a candidate for the county Board of Supervisors back then. Irma Gonzalez, Joe Gonzalez' wife who was there to help with the election, saw Mrs. Rodriguez at the counter and talked with her for a few minutes before returning to her work. The two women and their husbands are close friends, and one of the four once quipped, "We're two Irmas and two Joes so it's hard to forget names." Cindy Silva quickly selected one or two items in the buffet line as she flashed a smile at a visitor. "I've learned from past experience not to have a big dinner before coming in on election night." Josie Gallegos smiled in affirmation. At 7:45 p.m. Mike Hodges summoned a number of staff workers to the former Supervisors' meeting room for a run-through of the process as the votes come in from the precincts. Although most had been through it before they listened intently Sandra Avila, Rita Leon and Angie Molina took seats as Hodges outlined the process from receiving the ballots and taking them to the rear of the building where other workers would verify their receipt and count them Javana Sammons took notes and Rita Leon and Barbara Lerma gave Hodges their full attention. As he concluded the orientation, Kellie Kennedy and Monique Rueda leaned back. James Sanchez checked his watch. It was two minutes before 8, the official closing of the voting. Usually in a general election, the seats in the room have been filled by members of the public. This time, however, there were only a few people in the audience. The first one in was Marv Jones, a Republican political activist. Other familiar courthouse faces were in evidence: DeDe Valenzuela, Nathaniel Lierly and Scott Beri. Tom Slavich smiled to acknowledge an observer's wave and Janet Slibsager conscientiously kept to business. There was a brief flurry of excitement shortly after the polls closed when five or six people in their late teens or early 20s briefly came in and asked if there had been any returns yet. When told there were not, they adjourned to the balcony outside. They were not boisterous but their excited voices carried inside. Listeners inferred from their conversation that they were first-time voters who had been galvanized into registering and voting by particular candidates. In the presidential races, Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and John McCain (R-Ariz.,) carried the state. But whoever the candidate or whatever the issue, it is still the right -- and the privilege - of the public to choose. |
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