Restoring Honor in Local Politics

Does honor and integrity still exist in politics? Many will tell you, "no!" My friend, Celeste, will tell you, "Hell no." And, it's not just at the national level that folks are disappointed with the lack of principled leadership. Local politicians across the country are suffering the skepticism and disappointment of their voting community members. In my community our incumbent county commissioners and school board members are feeling the heat. Honor, integrity, principles, and a documentable record of these characteristics are becoming more and more important to voters.

Thousands are looking to restore honor in America

On August 28th thousands of people will gather at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. in a non-partisan rally intent on restoring honor in the United States. The Restoring Honor Rally, organized by the charismatic and controversial Fox News personality Glenn Beck is a standalone event, unrelated to any political party or movement. The Restoring Honor Rally is billed as a family friendly event, neither a 9/12 nor a Tea Party rally. Event literature reads, "There will be absolutely no politics involved. This rally will honor the troops, unite the American people under the principles of integrity and truth, and make a pledge to restore honor within ourselves and our country."

Thousands of Americans from diverse backgrounds have been drawn to the event. They are boarding busses from all over the United States and heading to Washington D.C. There must be a reason. Has honor, principles, and integrity in leadership become so rare in our country's leaders that the grass roots is rising up and demanding it's return? I think so.

Doing Your Homework Before You Vote

Intent on making good choices when we mark the ballots for our Primary in Northwest Florida on August 24th, my husband and I began studying the local candidates running for office, and snooping into their business backgrounds and past political activities. We attended a community sponsored meet-the-candidate event and shook hands with the candidates. There were the usual local "career politicians" in the group, a few riding on the coattails of tradition, with parents and grandparents that held office in the county, and a few newcomers. We liked a few, and found a few revolting. But, only one really impressed us. We talked with friends and neighbors after the candidate forum and realized that honor and integrity had entered into our local race for State Representative. One candidate stood out above the others and earned our votes, Ferd Salomon.

Our Local Candidate For State Rep, Ferd Salomon

Ferd Salomon, a retired Captain and U.S. Navy Aviator, was deemed to be, "the only candidate in the bunch without a scandalous background" by my friend and neighbor, Celeste.

But, his qualifications to serve as our state representative go far beyond that. Ferd Salomon served as the Executive Officer at NAS Whiting Field and then on the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) headquarters staff at NAS Pensacola as the Chief of Staff and as the acting Regional Commander for all Navy installations in northwest Florida. Today, he is a licensed Florida commercial real estate broker, and very knowledgeable about the commercial real estate market in northwest Florida.

Ferd Salomon is a lifelong Floridian, a northwest Florida resident since 1978. He earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from Duke University and a Master's degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of West Florida. Ferd's wife Monica, is also a Duke graduate. Ferd concedes; Monica graduated with honors; Ferd graduated. Monica is an Accounting Instructor and Student Advisor at the University of West Florida. They have three children. What I like best about Ferd Salomon is that his integrity is intact. I believe that he's a man of honor. We need more like him.

Vote to Restore Honor in Northwest Florida

Our country was born through the efforts of men of courage and integrity. Our country has been exceptional because it has been made up of exceptional citizens who embody our nation's founding principles of integrity, truth and honor. Many of us are afraid that we are losing our leadership to manipulative, present-voting, non-committal politicians only out for themselves. It won't change unless individual citizens use the power of their votes to move poor quality leadership out and restore honorable leadership. Florida's primary is on Tuesday, August 24th.Please vote and make a difference.

Online Resources:

Restoring Honor Rally

http://www.glennbeck.com/828/

Ferd Salomon, Candidate for Florida State Representative, District 1

http://ferdsalomon.com/

Florida Division of Elections

http://election.dos.state.fl.us/