Hook, Gach Haertling win in primaries
Commissioner races set
Commissioner races set
Ron Hook came out on top of a crowded field Tuesday in the Democratic primary for western district Buchanan County commissioner.
In the eastern district, Rosie Gach Haertling defeated Tom Archdekin in the Democratic primary.
Mr. Hook, a computer sales manager and ice cream company co-owner, beat 10 other candidates in a race to replace Bud Crockett, who is retiring after 16 years in office. Mr. Hook won with 20.94 percent of the vote, according to unofficial final results from the Buchanan County Clerk’s office.
Nearly 4,700 voters cast ballots in the Democratic primary.
P.J. (Paul) Kovac came in second with 16 percent of the vote. Mr. Hook will face Bob Ott, the lone Republican, in the November general election for the western district position.
Ms. Gach Haertling, a retired federal employee, won with 60 percent of vote. She recorded 2,780 votes to 1,800 for Mr. Archdekin, who was ousted as eastern district commissioner in 2004. Ms. Gach Haertling goes on to face incumbent Republican Dan Hausman in the general election.
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If I were Democrat challenger I would be crying foul. Ron Hook gave me a card for some free ice cream as I went to the poll early this morning, which I believe to be highly unethical. You cannot buy votes...
Posted by todayistheday on August 6, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)Well if free ice cream is going to buy a vote, then you are going into voting being uneducated on the candiates. At least he was out trying to meet people in the community.
Posted by suzyQ on August 6, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)Well shoot, I didn't get a free ice cream! If only I had gone earlier to vote....maybe just maybe I could have had some of Missouri's newly state recognized dessert. I highly doubt he was trying to win over your vote, he was out greeting people, and he happens to own an ice cream store. Anybody that knows Ron knows his integrity and what an upstanding person he is. The right man won for the right reasons. Give me a break...or better yet, some of that ice cream!
Posted by joetowner on August 6, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)Believe me guys, I totally understand it was probably an honest mistake. But this clearly is a direct ethics violation, which could really get Ron Hook in trouble. There was an incident in Southwest Missouri awhile back where they were handing out beer caps for a free beer I believe because someone owned a bar, and they got into some real hot water. You simply cannot do this, whether it was an honest mistake or not.
Posted by todayistheday on August 6, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)So what happens to the canidates who hand out free pens or nail files with "vote for so and so" ..is that considered a violation of ethics? With all the dirty politics out there- how can we consider this unethical? Give me a break.
Posted by BHSGRAD on August 6, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)He's a good guy, but that was a poor choice. I'm pretty sure you are not allowed to give out gifts at the polls.
Posted by frghpr on August 7, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)The problem with people standing at the polls and handing out anything free is the fact that people could feel subtle pressure to vote for that individual. As a politician this gentleman is responsible for knowing whether such behavior violates electioneering rules or not. I for one don't believe it is the voter's responsibility to have to remind politicians of the ethics of their behavior. Last election, I contact the county election dept about a politician who was actually sitting inside with the judges and they told me that he did not violate any rules. That is part of the problem, I'm not sure the even the election officials know what is acceptable!!
Posted by joetowner on August 7, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)our judges seemed to not have a clue about the election laws as well. Letting numerous people go in and vote with their shirts on, and not understanding election laws as it relates to poll sitters. Something Pat Conway nees to rectify before November.
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