Editor’s note: The following letter is written by a 16-year-old who can’t vote, but expresses her view of an Aug. 12 forum that all of Daphne’s qualifed candidates were invited to attend.

Candidates running for office in the city of Daphne were given an opportunity to communicate their views on certain issues in a recent public forum. The following comments express an opinion through the eyes of a future voter — a youth who has “book learning” about the idealistic workings of government but no clear understanding of how politics truly work. 

Before delving into the meeting, I am compelled to note my impressions of the campaigning techniques. Evidently, the more you see a candidate’s name, the more likely you are to remember it. Signs are posted neatly in yards, contenders’ names are dangling from doorknobs, and red-white-and-blue signs clutter the landscape at traffic lights.  Obviously, when you see a familiar name on the ballot, you are more apt to vote for it. 

Face-to-face encounters with the candidates make a far more personal impression. If you like the face and personality of that person, you are more to likely cast your vote for them. If they give you flattering compliments, they also win your vote. 

Handsome faces, cheery smiles and clever signs, however, do not reveal what our future leaders believe in.  One cannot cast an educated vote without more information.  Public debates and forums, such as the one held at the Daphne Civic Center, give the voter a better understanding of the stance the candidates have on issues facing us as a community. Voting should be based on the politician’s stance on issues, not pretty faces and signs.

Political and Personal Impressions

Perhaps, because of my youth, I see politics in a different manner. My inability to have any say has placed me outside the political bubble. That, however, does not affect my thoughts regarding the forum. Therefore, I offer my gut reactions, unwise as they may be.

Without naming names, I noticed that a few of the candidates presented a very business-like approach. They appeared confident and capable — ones who could handle the task before them. Facts were given, knowledge was shown, and sharpness was at their command. One gentleman in particular focused on the issues with seeming authority. His speech was not garbled with rhetoric; rather, he presented solid answers with honest concern. 

Interestingly, a few did not answer a definite “yes” or “no” to a question. It wasn’t a matter of being neither indecisive nor politically “slippery.” Their rationale was that they could not offer a conclusive answer without having full knowledge of all the facts of the issue yet. This response indicated honesty and consideration.

It would be foolish to think that everyone should have agreed on all topics, and I certainly appreciated the differing views. However, a surprising number of speakers seemed hollow and unaccomplished. Their answers were flighty and lacked substance or thought. A few even displayed ignorance shown by their idle words and fluff. It made me suspicious of their qualifications. It is not the inexperience that concerns me; it is the lack of ability to handle knowledge. Some answers indicated they either didn’t do their homework or never planned on having a large, viewing audience.

The participants exhibited depth of understanding versus small-minded shallowness and strong profundity versus weak predictability; Moreover, the panel also offered clear, concise responses with fact and figures versus generalities laced with good feelings.

Most disheartening was the obvious absence of some candidates. I am saddened by their lack of care. Why are they even in the running? Are they there to truly help Daphne or just for the prestige? Is it conceivable that they were ALL missing because of personal problems, or are they overly confident in their number of constituents?

Recently, I moved from a small town in Tennessee. As quaint as the town was, its government was full of the “good ol’ boy” regime. Many new businesses and youth ventures were squashed in the town. Apparently, if the “big boys” down home weren’t going to benefit from a new idea, it was not going to happen. Hopefully, the people of Daphne have a nobler goal than “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours!” As was stated at the forum, Daphne is a city of growth, change and expansion requiring a sound and reliable government. Loyalty to self-enhancement and personal gain needs to be silenced and eradicated.  Government needs strong, decisive leadership with an ear for the public’s needs.

I look forward to having a voice in America. Although my human age keeps me from being a part of the political voting process, I can still be extremely helpful. As a child of God, I am given the privilege to pray for our community and its leaders. This right and responsibility should not be taken lightly by anyone. Although I find it sad that no one dared to refer to our Heavenly Father in this forum (despite the fact that we live in a God-based country), I believe the invisible “hand of God” will still uphold the good in our community. 

May Daphne rely on Him!