Voters not swayed by affair
SPRING HILL –
Noel Acosta of Spring Hill hadn’t heard about County Commission candidate Jason Sager’s acknowledged affair with his media liaison and couldn’t care less even if he had.
“The job is what counts and what the person will to do help the economy,” said Acosta, 71, a retired Army man who showed up at the Forest Oaks supervisor of elections office Saturday on the first day of early voting.
John Cemonuk said affairs and other such revelations are part and parcel of politics and dislikes personal attacks by others as much as the person found out.
“Everyone’s got a skeleton in their closet,” Cemonuk said.
He also believes the timing of the affair so close to the Nov. 6 general election is suspect.
By mid-morning, there were more than 100 people snaked around the building waiting to cast an early vote.
Cherye Melamed stood 90 minutes in line but didn’t care. She liked the spirit of the crowd and even made a new acquaintance while waiting.
Melamed said sexual affairs and allegations are irrelevant when she decides on a candidate and cited former President Bill Clinton’s dalliance with an intern in the White House.
Clinton turned out to be one of the greatest presidents, she said.
“I think you can still do a good job but it doesn’t look good for your character,” she said.
Sager was apologetic about the “inappropriate relationship,” which he said ended in March and told Hernando Today in an email he is now attending to the needs of his family during this difficult time.
He is the Republican candidate for county commission District 1. His challengers are Democrat Diane Rowden and no-party candidate Greg Sheldon.
Robert Vanistendal of Spring Hill said he showed up on the first day of voting to “get it done.” He had made up his mind on the candidates long before and nothing has happened since to change his mind.
As for sexual affairs: “Probably 80 percent of men have affairs,” he joked.
That sentiment was shared by Roger Burgess.
“They all do (have affairs),” he said. “Some get caught, some don’t.”
Irene Meyer said she is primarily interested in the presidential race and is not so much concerned about local candidates.
When told of the Sager affair, Mayer said it makes no difference.
“It could happen to anyone,” she said. “I don’t think it changes the person.”
Early voting continues through Saturday at the westside elections office at 7443 Forest Oaks Blvd. or the downtown Brooksville office at 20 N. Main St.
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
