Joines may be unchallenged, but public is more attentive

(By Scott Sexton, Winston-Salem Journal) - The filing period for candidates came and went without somebody stepping forward who was either angry or foolhardy enough to challenge the reign of Mayor Allen Joines. That much we know.

On the surface, there are several reasons for what appears to be the coronation of a mayor who's made major financial decisions without a lot of public input upfront.

The first reason is the most important, and also the most obvious. In politics, money rules. And Joines has it.

According to the most recent campaign-finance report, his election committee had $61,937.90 -- more than $5 for every vote cast in 2005. It would take at least twice that amount, if not more, for any challenger to mount a credible campaign.

The second reason, which goes hand in glove with the first, is that the mayor enjoys widespread support throughout the community. He works hard and he's forthright -- unless he's cooking up a secret economic deal.

Even if Joines does run unopposed (only a petitioning candidate can now challenge him), there are signs -- however slight -- that the electorate is becoming engaged.