EARLY VOTING TENTS, UNCIVIL INTIMIDATION, ABUSE, WRONG

(Ed,'s Note: Democracy, as we can plainly see from this photo of the early voting campaign at the Main Library on Central Boulevard, is sometimes messy and boisterous. But, as some of our readers say, there has to be a civility toward others and a limit to the amount of limiting the public's right-of-way when it comes to freedom of movement on the sidewalks and harassment and intimidation to people passing by.

There is no denying that some of that has happened. And the encroachment on the public's right-of-way is obvious. The city must shoulder some of the responsibility for the spectacle because it has sent mixed messages to the candidates and their supporters in the past. In a previous mayor's race, the incumbent (Tony Martinez) was given free rein while his opponents were moved across Central Blvd. 

This early voting period a Texas Southmost College trustee (Adela Garza) was almost tripped deliberately by one of the BISD candidates (Frankie Olivo) while others shouted that she had been there too long. Tripping would have constituted assault and isn't it really up to the voters who decide how long someone can hold office? It's really too bad that we have come to this juncture in this very different election year. Maybe once this contagion passes we can all come back to our senses and consider everyone else – supporter and opponent – as members of the same community. Remember, whoever wins represents everyone, not just their supporters.)