BUCKHANNON — On Wednesday, Buckhannon City Council candidate Shelia Sines and her supporters met on the northwest corner of Kanawha and Main Street campaigning for votes. The group arrived at approximately 11:30 a.m. concluding 3 hours later at 2:30 p.m. The average temperature was approximately 84°F.
“Any time that you want to accomplish something, you have to work hard at it,” Sines told Mountaineer Journal. “My supporters and I have been working hard to advance this campaign, and I want voters to know that the same energy they see on the campaign trail will be same energy that I will apply on city council, striving to help unite and improve our wonderful community. Just like we’ve worked hard for this campaign, if given the opportunity, I will work diligently on city council for the people of Buckhannon.”
Amanda Posey, one of Sines’ supporters, also told Mountaineer Journal why she was personally supporting Sines for City Council.
“She wants to help people, and she’s about making this town better for children,” Posey continued. “I agree with what she’s about. She’s bold about it. She doesn’t hide behind things. She’s true to who she says she is. She’s not about mudslinging. She’s not about being a ‘people-pleaser.’ She’s about doing what is right. That’s the ultimate thing: it’s about doing what’s right no matter what.”
Posey also stressed the importance of voters having a comprehensive understanding of what each candidate believes.
“I would encourage other people to come out and show their support. People need to find out more about the election, and what [candidates] are voting for, so they’re educated on it. They need to know, when they make a decision to vote, what they’re actually voting for. We all should be aware of things that will be coming in the future, so we can be aware if something happens, it’s because we didn’t get out and vote. Every vote is important.
Liberal critics began criticizing Sines and her supporters on social media, falsely accusing her of “electioneering near a polling place.” According to the West Virginia State Code, no person may do any electioneering within one hundred feet of a polling place. The far northwest corner, where Sines and her supporters were standing, is exactly 158.92 feet away from the polling place, which means they were fully compliant with the state code.
The Buckhannon City General Election will take place on June 9.