This is a crusty old Vietnam vet here, with thoughts about Betty Lou McKenna’s letter supporting D.J. Cox (“Kent recorder of deeds backs Cox to replace her,” Oct. 25).
Three things strike me.
First, Betty Lou McKenna did not have one reason for recommending Cox other than she has “known him for a very long time.”
She said he was “honest.” Cox and McKenna seem to disagree about when he decided to run. McKenna’s letter says, “D.J. has always wanted to serve in the (deeds) office.” Cox says, before he decided to run, he sat down with her in her office to learn about the job. Which one of them is correct?
Compare to Eugenia “Gene” Thornton, Cox’s opponent: Her motto is “Experience Before Politics,” and, boy, does she have experience! As a soldier, she worked with public records and successfully led staffs of all sizes, up to 400.
Thornton is also “honest.” Sometimes, too honest. She’s sure not afraid to speak truth to power.
Second, McKenna talks about Cox’s not completing police training, as if it’s a virtue. If he completed training and was now a first responder, that would be a virtue. Just wanting to is not.
McKenna says Cox is “called to serve.” Great! Then why isn’t he a firefighter? He is strong and healthy enough to drive a propane truck and drag a hose around houses all day long for his living. His skills could really benefit a local fire company. They are hurting for young volunteers.
Which reminds me, if he has a full-time day job, how will he run the deeds office?
Compare to Thornton, my choice for the next recorder of deeds. She didn’t just “want” to serve; she is a combat vet who earned a Bronze Star and a Legion of Merit. I’ve heard her talk about some of the high-level jobs she held and have seen pictures of her with officers who went on to serve as U.S. cabinet secretaries. She is still serving as president of a veterans’ service organization. She is the real deal.
Thornton is retired military. She can earn her pay at the deeds office. We sergeants have an expression, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
Another expression sergeants have might pertains to Cox? “Backing up to the pay table.”
Third, McKenna said something that, as a Marine, I have never heard. She said she had been in that office for 20 years, “trying to make it better.”
I assure you, Thornton won’t need 20 years to “try” to improve deeds. She already has a laundry list of specific improvements she will make. You can check them out at baytobaynews.com/stories/eugenia-thornton-kent-recorder-of-deeds,92106?.
In sum, there are two types of people. Some “try,” and some “do.” Vote for someone who does — Eugenia Thornton.
Dietmar Panzig
Magnolia
