One Battle Lost: The War Has Just Begun


Party Politics

By Rob, Section Brantley in The News
Posted on Thu Aug 10, 2006 at 11:02:07 AM EST

My Thanks to those who supported our efforts to create real change in Northwest Springfield

We fought the correct fight even knowing the deck was stacked against us. We didn't pull any punches, we didn't sell out to the highest bidder, and we acted on our beliefs. I am honored by the support and commitment this effort received and will never forget those who played an active role in this engagement. There will be more to come so rest up.

Congratulations to The Winners

My congratulations are extended to both Charlie Norr and Dan Scott in their efforts to control the future of Northwest Springfield for the next two years. This should be a most interesting race. No matter who wins this race, all can rest assured that every move they make will be scrutinized under a microscope and amplified.

Apathy Killed the Cow

It is little wonder that less than 10% of the population control and benefit from more than 90% of our shared resources. It is our own collective fault and a direct reflection of poor civic participation by the populace. When the future of Northwest Springfield is decided by less than 17% of the registered voters we have a serious problem with participatory democracy. Half of politics is just showing up to play the game and when you don't even show up to bat the ball you lose by default.

The 1,000 Pound Gorilla

The most amazing thing to me is that other then one public mention of my families struggle, by the team at KY3 News, there was not mention anywhere of the fact that a candidate for the 137th Legislative District was running while simultaneously being charged with Felony Child Abuse and has been fighting a running battle with the corrupt Greene County Division of Family Services for most of the last six years.

Although I publicly disclosed some information on my families struggle, I am partly to blame for the lack of dialogue surrounding this travesty.

When the News-Leader published State lawyers urged to refuse cases: Overworked public defenders have duty to keep caseload low, report says and followed it up a day later with an editorial titled Lack of public defenders a disgrace I should have been talking about my case. 

I should have been talking about how just last week, instead of coming prepared to argue bond conditions on my behalf, the Public Defender assigned to misrepresent me made a motion to withdraw his office from the criminal case. This was a topical and newsworthy story but I failed to promote it. 

Those days are over.

To The Future

I will continue to speak up for those that have lost their voice and will continue to serve our community both publicly and privately. I will continue to apply pressure to the political powers that be and encourage them, by any means necessary, to make the appropriate decisions for the right reasons. And my offer of helping anyone who has an issue with local or state government still stands.

A chapter has been closed yet another has just begun. Stand by.

I breathe I fight,

Rob

< From the Desk of Robert M. Brantley: Final Campaign Message | An Open Letter to the Springfield Missouri Greene County Public Defender's Office >

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