Letters to the editor are brief reader responses to stories and opinion pieces published by RLS Media. Letters give voice to community members and do not represent RLS Media's views.
Written by: Mr. Carlos Santos
"I, Carlos Santos, attended the Union County commissioner meeting on April 13th, 2023. I am deeply concerned about the biased poll being conducted by the all-Democrat Commissioner board regarding the County seal.
The board only provides two options for voters to choose from while excluding the existing seal that has been in place since 1857.
This is a clear attempt to manipulate the outcome of the poll and to force a change to the County seal.
The existing County seal has significant historical value and showcases the bravery of a Union County resident, Hanna Caldwell, who was murdered by British soldiers during the Revolutionary War while defending her children.
This turning point in history is something that both Democrats and Republicans should be proud of and should be preserved for future generations.
Even County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Commissioner Al Mirabella have voiced their position that the County seal should not be changed.
This shows that support for the existing seal is not limited to one political party but is shared by individuals across the political spectrum.
However, I was extremely disappointed to witness County Manager Ed Oatman disregard the concerns I asked about, who had made a choice to exclude the original seal as a choice in the poll.
This lack of transparency and accountability is unacceptable and undermines the democratic process.
Considering these developments, I suggested that the Democrat Commissioner board take the public's feedback seriously and reconsider their decision to exclude the original seal from the poll.
Instead, they should put an interactive poll on their website that includes the original seal as a choice, or better yet, add it as a referendum on the ballot in the general election and let the voters decide.
The history and significance of the original County seal should not be dismissed so easily. We owe it to the brave residents of Union County who fought for our independence to honor their sacrifices and preserve our shared history".
NOTE: The Union County Board of County Commissioners launched a poll to invite residents to assist them in selecting a new seal for the County of Union. Click HERE to view that story.