Wisman-Bennett: "New Albany is at a critical point right now, and we really need to look at the people that we’re putting in office."

Daniel Suddeath reports: Run for mayor not in the cards for City Clerk Wisman-Bennett.

Long rumored to be a 2011 mayoral candidate, New Albany City Clerk Marcey Wisman-Bennett confirmed to The Tribune Monday she will not seek public office this year.

Wisman-Bennett, a Democrat, cited her desire to spend more time with her family, but also frustration with New Albany’s political scene as reasons for deciding not to run for mayor, New Albany City Council or to attempt to secure a third term as city clerk.

Fair enough, and there's more:

Wisman added that the city’s elected officials “are unwilling to even try to understand where the other person is coming from and I don’t see that getting any better.”

... Wisman-Bennett said she’s proud of New Albany and its residents, but believes the leadership has left something to be desired.

“New Albany is at a critical point right now, and we really need to look at the people that we’re putting in office. Do they really have the skill set and the knowledge to turn things around,” she said.

“It can no longer be about, oh well, I heard that name before. Or, well, they’re a good Democrat or a good Republican. It has to be, do they have the ability to make a difference?”

Right on, sister.

As an aside, the first reader to decipher exactly what Erika's trying to say over in Screechland wins a facsimile Verle Huffman for Mayor button.

ARE THE DEMOCRATS SMARTER....THAN A FIRST GRADER?

We are wondering how on earth any local "Democrat" could seek and obtain signed authority from Republican Chair Dave Matthews to run for local office and then, in an act that is as signing allegiance to the devil (England), make a deal and switch back to the Democrat Party.