An Explanation, Not an Endorsement

SWAINTON – The following by Sam Kelly of Swainton is in response to a paid Regular Republican release printed June 29 in which he was named:
I have always been active in the political process in my local community. When the over-development began in the 1990s, my involvement was ramped up.
I grew up in Middle Township. I farmed, fished and hunted in this beautiful area. I raised my children here, and many of them have done the same. I got involved to preserve our home.
I ran for Middle Township Committee a few years ago to oppose Tim Donohue. To me, he and Dan Lockwood were imposing the worst kind of partisan politics conceivable. Most of the top-paying positions went to out-of-town political allies.
Lockwood had once stood side by side with me to oppose many of the same issues causing concerns throughout Middle. Soon after his election, I got the impression he was simply a political opportunist. Worse were his partisan politics and abrasive manner that took giant leaps once he was joined on committee by fellow Republican Tim Donohue.
Over the years I have disagreed with many of our committee folks, yet our friendships have remained intact.  With Donohue and Lockwood, that has not been possible. Their personal ambitions and total partisanship are destructive to the many serious issues facing our community.
Heroin addiction and homelessness should not take a back seat to their desire to keep Middle in their party’s job pool.
I recently wrote a letter to the editor pronouncing my pleasure to see new faces in our political picture. Somehow the aforementioned, along with other politicians, have spun this into a condemnation of my friend Michael Clark. They went on to speculate the reasoning of many good citizens who serve with no remuneration of any kind.
On the other hand, Lockwood at the beginning of his political career received a sizable loan from the community as well as a paycheck much larger than many poor workers in our area.
Donohue, who would tell us government is not an employer, gets his sizable paychecks from that very source.
I want to go on record to say, nothing I have said or done should be construed as an endorsement for Lockwood.
The use of “buyer’s remorse” in their paid political release is quite telling. Most things political have a dollar sign for these folks. I welcomed Patricia Taylor’s candidacy for many reasons. I look forward to the upcoming dialogue between Clark and Taylor. I for one have heard enough pompous speeches to last me a lifetime.
The team of Donohue and Lockwood has caused horrible divisiveness throughout our area, including within their own party. That is exactly why Taylor’s candidacy has emerged. I have friends in both parties; again Lockwood and Donohue are not on that list.
My concerns for Middle Township have no party affiliation. I have in recent years been registered as a Republican, Democrat and unaffiliated, whichever best served the community’s needs at that time.