With three years remaining on his first term of office, Perry School Board member Jerry Stacy has announced his intention to seek the District One magistrate’s seat to be filled in November next year, citing a need for the magistrate’s salary. To Mr. Stacy I would say, did you think this through? Are you not aware of the consequences of this decision? Do you value so little the trust placed in you by your constituents in Perry school District Three?

Jerry, to gain some understanding, recall your visits door-to-door gaining the school board seat you occupy – the reception, the welcome, the heartfelt eagerness to commit their support to you. Recall your promise to them to be a non-political representative different from your predecessor who similarly attempted to abandon his school board commitment, desiring to become county-judge-executive and, failing that, state representative. Recall that he gained neither, but lost any remaining traces of credibility as a public servant and was soundly defeated by you. Recall that he was thought by many to have become the perpetual candidate, no longer to be taken seriously, in the selection of public officials.

Now, my friend Jerry, having taken that trip back down memory lane, imagine yourself back on those front porches: “Hello, I’m Jerry Stacy. You remember me. I’m your school board member. I’m here to ask for your help in this magistrate’s race. What? Oh, it doesn’t pay anything I’ve discovered, and, well, I’m just not happy with the job Mr. Hurley’s doing. I’ll be a good magistrate. What? Oh, no, no. I’d never do that.”

In the minds of many, at that point, you will have become one of “them,” the self-serving opportunists bent on living from the public till – not the solution, but the problem. You didn’t learn this in sixth grade. You have indeed poisoned the well. Judas, the ultimate betrayer, too late wanted no part of the silver for which he sold himself. May you receive accordingly.

Very Respectfully,

Eddie N. Campbell

Lost Creek, Ky.