Tied to the Dock

54% of voters in 2004 were women. That's a fact. So it's no surprise that women's issues play a significant role in courting the vote for any election. Wouldn't it be fair to assume that such an issue would come into play this year? We think so.

According to her website, Karen Gunnison's campaign team is 60% comprised of the fairer sex. Unless you count Ray Zaborney, who is oddly absent from the listing on the website. As for Linda Cecconello, all we can tell you is that she is most likely headed the same way, if she's smart. Kathy Miller is counting the beans, and we're guessing that Gail McDermott and Stephanie Christ aren't far behind.

Here's the word around the campfire though: while Democrats don't hold any significant positions of leadership in the county (unless you count Rovegno and well, we don't), they have been as busy as little bees putting together a comprehensive coup d' etat. They've worked to get a full slate of candidates on almost every municipal election in the county. That's every borough council, township supervisor, auditor, everything. We even heard rumors of a third Democratic candidate for county commissioner but when you've got everyone heating races for Newville Borough Council, who has time to run for commissioner? We understand. Wink, wink.

On the other side of the aisle, we've heard rumors of folks throwing weight around like George Foreman. The Anne Anstine girls pack a powerful punch when they can get their act together, and they've been as busy as a flock of hens working for Gunnison. They've even managed to enlist the Queen Bee herself, Senator Pat Vance. Rumor on the street is that Pat Vance played a very instrumental hand in Gunnison's not-so-meaningless endorsement a couple weeks ago. Frankly, we had no idea so many people were out to get Commissioner Eichelberger. This looks like a remake of 1976's "The Outlaw Josey Wales," although we prefer Eastwood as Josey Wales rather than Eichelberger. Everyone might be out to get him, but Eastwood just had...well...grit.