INCLUDING EX-CONS ON CITY COUNCIL

Voters in the City of York recently elected Michael Helfrich, a candidate with a prior felony drug conviction, to city council. Some have asked whether Mr. Helfrich should be disqualified because of his past criminal behavior. This is my response:

Fourteen percent of York County's registered voters went to the polls two weeks ago, which means that eighty-six percent of those registered couldn't be bothered and chose to stay home. The overwhelming number of those stay-at-home individuals didn't have a prior felony drug conviction, but they exhibited no interest in participating in the democratic process or working to improve the quality of life in their local community. Michael Helfrich, on the other hand, did have a felony drug record. He also exhibited a drive and determination to make the City of York a better place to live. He invested a great deal of time and energy in his community by campaigning for a city council slot. I find it impossible to ignore the will of those voters who participated in the election process and were aware of Helfrich's record before entering the voting booth.

In a republic such as ours, where the right to self-governance is the linchpin to our freedom, if voters choose to place their trust in the hands of an individual with a prior felony drug record, I say "so be it." Those opposed can always get up off their butts and vote.