Thursday, Mar. 04, 2010

Letter to the Editor

Clarifying a statement

I am writing in response to Mr. Pratt’s statement from last week’s Blue Springs Journal article that I voted for him to assume a leadership position in the Missouri House of Representatives.

To clarify this issue, prior to this vote coming to the floor of the House of Representatives, the selection process first begins in the Republican caucus whereby he did not win unanimous support on the first ballot.

Only on the second secret ballot Mr. Pratt won the nomination by a simple majority vote. I believe he was not supported by the Representatives from the Western side of the State and in particular those Republican representatives from Eastern Jackson County.

I personally voted for another candidate twice. Once the vote comes to the floor, protocol and courtesy require each member to vote for the representative from your party, which reluctantly I did to meet this protocol. Mr. Pratt did not have unanimous support of the entire House as he often claims.

This election is not about attorney Pratt’s popularity. This election is choosing who is best suited to meet the needs of the people of Eastern Jackson County in an honest and ethical manner.

It is providing our citizens full-time representation at a difficult time for our state. Using this seat to further political aspirations or to meet self gratification and personal gain is not on the ballot. Eastern Jackson County citizens deserve better.

Rep. Gary Dusenberg, Blue Springs