DISCUSSION: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN EFFECTIVE "COUNTY CORONER?"

Not too long ago, Dr. P.S. Murthy was worried whether or not former coroner James Pritchard (click on Pritchard to learn about the complexity of the coroner's office) was going to come out of retirement and run against him in the Democratic primary. Well, Pritchard didn't and now the general election race is on.

Murthy (an M.D.) versus Guy Blaser (a D.O.).

Murthy says that challenger Blaser is not qualified because he is a medical clinician.

Murthy's claim might command attention if it were not for the fact tht Blaser does coroner work for P.S. himself and did work for former coroner Jim Pritchard.

By implication Blaser (a native of Attleboro, Massachusetts - graduate of University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine) says that Murthy is not innovative in bringing efficiencies and effectiveness to the office, does not have the necessary communication skills, is not organized nor creative.

Blaser does two things in campaign statements that ought to be disturbing to Stark County voters. First, in the opinion of the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL, he refers to Murthy's halting use of the English language in his emphasis on his spin that Murthy lacks communication skills. Second, he fear mongers (xenophobia) on Murthy's foreign-born, foreign-trained personal history signaling the former by supplying the S in the name P.S. Murthy as being "Screenivasha."

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT roundly criticizes Blaser for his inflammatory campaign tactic. The rest of his criticism is within proper bounds. But shame on Blaser for the "fear the foreigner" aspect of his campaign.

Do you agree or disagree with the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT on the criticism of candidate Blaser?