Lonzie Cox – 4/30/07

This page was last updated on May 1, 2007.

Let’s elect by regions; Lonzie Cox, Jr.; Beaver County Times; April 30, 2007. I am not related to Mr. Cox.

An editor’s note alleges, “The writer is seeking a Democratic [sic] nomination for Beaver Falls Council.” Mr. Cox also ran for this position in previous years (at least 2005 & 2006), though I don’t know the results.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“The April 1 editorial about state and local economics included the following suggestion from the Brookings Institute [sic]:”

[RWC] The correct name for this liberal think tank is Brookings Institution, not Brookings Institute. I didn’t read the subject editorial so I can’t comment on Mr. Cox’s representation of its contents.

“‘Empower local governments to better manage change, combat fiscal distress and invest in the future.’

“Another suggestion: Beaver Falls and Beaver County seem to be deterred from change by their respective home-rule charters. Beaver Falls could benefit by a council-members-by-district system, resulting in wider representation in all areas.

“At the county level, the commissioners could be elected by voters in five or even seven voting districts. The three-commissioner system is inadequate for such a large area. More ideas are needed.

“With additional commissioner slots, outlying areas like Darlington, Franklin, Hanover or Greene townships could have consistent representation. Perhaps even a minority or a woman could be elected commissioner at some point in time.”

[RWC] In case you didn’t figure it out, the final sentence is the key to this letter.

You see, Mr. Cox probably figures he has little chance getting an at-large Democrat nomination or being elected in an at-large system. That’s why he wants committeemen/commissioners elected by area.

If you’ve read Mr. Cox’s letters, you know “Perhaps even a minority or a woman could be elected” really means, “Perhaps even a black candidate could be elected.”