At best only 20% of the KCBS member could be considered active members. So I am not surprised at the numbers that voted. I am also not surprised at the number of incumbents that were re-elected. All the winners had very high name recognition, which was to be expected.

A couple hundred votes one way or another would have made a big difference in the KCBS election this year. Most all elections everywhere are determined by slim majorities (percentages). Most people who vote in any election are not very well informed, or not informed at all and simply vote by name recognition. That is why it is very hard to vote out incumbents. Look at our US House and Senate as an example. Both are filled with people that do a poor job but, they are well known and keep on receiving votes, from misinformed people.

So, the reason I write this is to say; that you want different people on the KCBS board the now is the time to start preparing for the next election. You have to inform and educate the voters as to the issues and what is happening because, of the actions of the elected and appointed representatives. You need to start winning the hearts and minds right now, and simply complaining is not going to do it. Constantly complaining only confuses and reduces the number of voters. .

When we are constantly complaining about individuals it's easy to do. It's very easy to find things wrong with other people because even the best of us are imperfect. However, pointing out the wrong direction an organization is going and how things could be done better is a responsibility of the members of any group.

Educating the potential voters embodies and encourages people to vote with their mind and not to vote by name recognition. This is how you overcome voter apathetic behavior. "It's a wonderful thing that everyone has a right to vote. But it does not mean that everyone is smart enough to vote."

It is also the responsibility of the candidates in any election to really give a 1,000 percent effort towards winning an election. If the candidate you supported didn't try really hard to win then don't be fooled twice and support them in the future. If a candidate tries but just didn't try hard enough, they may be worthy of your attention in the future. If the candidate you supported didn't work to get elected, then they probably didn't want the job in the first place and you shouldn't waste your efforts on them in the future. All of this is just is just how I see things.

But then what do I know.  I voted for one of the winners and two who lost.

Ray Basso

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