[Detector]

Rick Sowers: 1,034
Kent Smoll: 965
Mike Boettcher: 931
Ed Kimminau: 897
Jim Lembright: 776
Connie Penic: 640
Mike Nelson: 584
Jose Vargas: 458
Mark Pingsterhaus: 305

11,576 registered voters
2,452(18.9%) voted

Congratulation/Condolences which ever you prefer. I think the voter turnout pretty much sums it up. So many important issues concerning the future of Dodge City and few bother to vote. Why? because a good majority probably feel it makes no difference. I happen to agree 100%

I realize these new candidates come in to this election with dreams of making a difference, but I believe they'll leave disappointed in the experience. I've known my share of commissioners and mayors that come and go and they all seem to have one thing in common. They have a new view of the inner workings of our city/county.

To quote a former mayor "It's nothing but a position as a puppet in a puppet show. There are no important decisions made by the puppets." or a former commissioner "We can make some simple decisions, but in reality we're there with targets on our backs to take the potshots of the public for the real decision makers in town."

Want to Axe a city manager or run a chief out of town? then vote for the candidate to do the job but don't piss and moan afterward because they screwup everything else. I really hope some of these candidates have the balls, sorry Connie just an expression, to address the real issue of putting decisions back in the voters hands and not the money people calling the shots today.

Tell me this. When was the last time a commissioner made a difference?