To the editor,

As the election approaches, the refrain is often heard “I vote for the person, not the party.” This is as it should be among educated, well informed voters.

It is also true that in recent years, we have heard journalists and others lament about how our politics has become polarized and dominated by demagoguery. The era of reasoned discussion in politics has, sadly, seemed to have left us. Most will agree that this is destructive to our system of government and to our communities.

Locally, this bleak turn in political discourse is illustrated by the race for Register of Deeds. The Republican effort to politicize this office should offend all who plan to vote this year. This is an office that exists to serve the citizens of Surry County, period. This office has always operated without political bias and I hope it stays that way.

That the Register of Deeds happens to be a Democrat is irrelevant to the question of whether or not those duties have been effectively carried out. It is safe to say that Carolyn Comer and her staff, have never asked anyone their political affiliation or beliefs before faithfully providing needed services. The fact that she is a Democrat has never had an impact on her dedication to faithfully serve anyone who has walked into her office.

The only qualifications her opponent offers are that he is conservative and a Republican. While this may be true, it has no bearing on his ability to competently fulfill the duties of the office. Furthermore, this argument carries an underlying implication that his election would bring favoritism to the conduct of the office.

The office of Register of Deeds is about public service, not politics. The only case the Republican challenger has made has been about political affiliation and an ideological label. If the citizens of this county wish to be true to the ideal of “voting for the person,” they should compare that with the record of the incumbent.

There is only one choice to maintain an efficient and effective office of Register of Deeds; that is to vote for Carolyn Comer.

David Crawford

Mount Airy