‘Freedom requires participation’

As the nation prepares to celebrate her 250th birthday, Republicans in Howell County gathered Saturday for their annual fundraising dinner: Lincoln Day. 250 years of America was the evening’s theme, and keynote speaker Denny Hoskins’ speech named civic participation as key to the success of American democracy as the nation celebrates this milestone. 

 

“I see it as renewing our commitment to the principles that made America what it is today,” Hoskins said. “Are we preserving what we inherited? Strengthening it?”

 

“Freedom requires participation, and it requires responsibilities,” Hoskins said. 

 

As we gear up for election season, candidates should expect questions, and citizens should ask them. 

 

“Self-government only works when people stay engaged,” he said. 

 

In Howell County, this summer’s election season will feature two contested races among Republicans. There is a four-way race for the Associate Judge bench to be vacated when the Honorable R. David Ray retires. All four candidates: Lyndell Beard, Larry Burton, Heath Hardman, and Martin Simpson were present Saturday night, but they did not address the room. 

 

Both Republican candidates for state representative did have time at the podium. Incumbent Lisa Durnell says she is the same person at home as she is in Jefferson City. 

 

“I haven’t sold my soul, or my vote, and I am beholden to no one,” she said. She reports that her steadfast adherence to her principles means she has, “taken arrows” at the Capitol. 

 

Durnell outlined four of the bills she has filed this session, one of which seeking to ban cashless venues, has had a hearing and was voted out of committee. She says she plans to re-file next session anything that does not pass this time, noting that most of her filings have been bills filed at the request of her constituents. 

 

Challenger Travis Smith, who formerly served as a state representative in District 155 in Douglas County, used his time at the podium to highlight his work ethic, saying he, “answers the phone and works hard until it gets done” in Jefferson City, while pointing out he has, “a different approach” to legislating.

 

He believes in being a team player, saying, “Good decisions don’t come from one person sitting in a room.”

 

Smith believes in listening, he says, and working with people with whom he may disagree if it means he can preserve his neighbors’ livelihoods and futures.

 

This year’s fundraising dinner took place in the Magnolia Room of the West Plains Civic Center. The meal was catered by Colton’s Steakhouse.