Top honors in the under 35,000 circulation category of the Editorials category of the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize competition were awarded to Dave Stafford, opinion page editor of The Republic in Columbus, Indiana.
First-place includes a curved glass plaque and a cash prize of $2,250.
A local Indiana lawmaker drunk driver, crashed his truck and fled the scene, endangering himself and the public. The Republic investigated not just the crash, but also the favoritism and special treatment that the lawmaker received from local courts and his friends who control the Indiana Legislature.
Regarding his entry, Stafford said: “In our Opinion pages, our editorials courageously and relentlessly stood for the proposition that someone who so egregiously violates the law should not enjoy the privilege of making them. We also called out special treatment for the lawmaker from the local justice system and the lack of consequences he received from Indiana's Speaker of the House of Representatives. We consistently urged the lawmaker to resign to focus on his wellbeing, which we believe best serves him and his constitutents.”
Stafford added: “We believe this lawmaker's continued service in the Indiana General Assembly sullies its reputation. Though he continues to hold office, the lawmaker has a primary election opponent, and, should he retain his party's nomination, he will have a formidable general election challenger. Consequently, our editoral position is that voters will have no reason to keep the lawmaker in office.”
The Republic has since reported that Incumbent District 69 Rep. Jim Lucas of Seymour did advance to the Nov. 5 general election by fending off a challenge from Brian Savilla in Tuesday’s primary.
First column: Jim Lucas got special treatment
This editorial points out that for 12 days after Lucas crashed his truck and was found walking by Seymour police, no charges were filed and Lucas said nothing.
“Then, on Monday,” the editorial reads in part, “the justice system moved with sudden, lightning speed on Lucas' behalf in another instance of special treatment. Lucas appeared in court with his attorney and a plea agreement signed, sealed and delivered by Jackson County Prosecutor Jeff Chalfant, which, incredibly, was entered at the same hearing where charges were filed for the first time. Judge Bruce MacTavish put his stamp on it. All in less than eight hours, The Republic’s Andy East reported.
“This coordinated effort gave Lucas a suspended sentence, probation, and ordered restitution of roughly $4,000. Lucas also will have to submit to an alcohol and drug abuse program for evaluation. There’s nothing special about any of that, but the local legal system’s preferential treatment also gave Lucas an opportunity to save face — and, most importantly to him — his power.
“How is it that Lucas’ case was adjudicated before toxicology results on his post-crash blood draw are even back from the lab? This is fishier than a tuna sandwich.”
Additional editorials on same subject included:
Among the comments made by contest judges:
