Too often, we assume that everyone is like us. Honest people naturally expect honesty, until we fall prey to those who are not like us. When some have participated in holding people back, or advancing others because of whom their friends are and are not, those individuals assume that everyone operates in the same shifty manner. Dishonest people assume that everyone is as shady as they are. They can pay their attorneys to make any sort of accusations without verification. Frivolous lawsuits hurt everyone in the end. Media outlets can spin facts to sensationalize issues without ever giving you the truth, out of desperation to sell papers. It’s tough to argue with people who buy ink by the barrel. There are those of us who believe that people should be rewarded for their diligence, dedication, qualifications and worthiness, and not penalized because they lack “connections.”

The local tabloid style news is working hard to deceive you. Texting, Facebook, Twitter, My Space, internet blogs and countless other media outlets are rapidly spreading information without verification. Pay close attention to the “sources.” Those who don’t need to hide do not hide. Do you find the timing interesting? Have you ever noticed how a kid, called on the rug, will try to pitch a distraction? Why do you need to be distracted? Could that distraction possibly be needed to turn the election? Why do people need to discredit those of us who have operated above reproach? Why would they protect those who haven’t? Why is the information they gathered through “investigation” and FOIA requests not being released to you? Withholding truth is deceitful. But releasing the truth will foil their strategy. The gossip and rumors hurt, as they are designed to do. I have a family too. Do you believe that any of the demeaning reports have helped our students? Has our county benefitted from what is being pedaled as news? Those reports are intended to mislead you. My hope is that the truth DOES reveal itself. I have not been “out to get” anyone. The people who have left the school district have done so because of their own decisions. I have had no involvement in their decisions. They have made their own choices and I have had no control over their decisions, nor do I want control. Their choice to spin tales is on them. Con artists just change their diversion, once they’re busted. They don’t stop being frauds. I want to believe that you are smart enough to see the little man behind the curtain.

Our school district is headed in the right direction, with the leadership of people who actually have something at stake, here in Cherokee County. This is home. Of course we are meeting with resistance from those who just cannot find it in them to allow our children to matter above themselves. Our students must be our focus, and when you lose sight of that, you don’t belong here, making decisions that affect the future of this county. Unless and until we realize that our students are the key to a healthy economy in Cherokee County, for today and for years to come, we are failing them and ourselves. Padding the pockets of a few people does nothing to help this county in the longhaul, especially considering that very little of that money ends up staying here. The bulk of educational funding belongs in our classrooms!

We have students with varied interests. We have academically, artistically, musically, athletically and socially gifted students throughout this district. We have students who are average across the board, but they are equally important. We have students with daily struggles, who are likewise, important. Some are not involved at all, some don’t want to be, but that doesn’t reduce their importance. We have students who participate in less popular activities, organizations, sports and clubs that plead for funding. We have AFJROTC that a national standout! The success of every single student matters. It’s wrong to expect the taxpayers to place greater importance on any one group. Safety and Education have to rank far above all extracurricular activities.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the constant struggle could be “sunshine and lollipops”? When there are people fighting to do right by our students, while others are cashing in on what belongs in our classrooms, there SHOULD be conflict!

Are the people who are not “us” genuinely concerned with providing the best for Cherokee County students and lifelong residents? Or might they be more concerned for themselves and their profit from our lack of knowledge? What is at stake? Our local economy is at stake. We are feeling the heavy hit from years of neglect and abusive spending. The future of your children and my children is at stake. Without education supporting our workforce, we will not be able to obtain the jobs that will support this place that we love. Long-term, wasteful spending is continually reducing the number of jobs in our school district and diminishing the provisions for our students and educators in our classrooms. Facing recent budget shortfalls has forced us to take a hard look at the alarming misuse of educational funding. Believe it; this school district has wasted your money! I have been telling you that for years, but I have consistently been outnumbered. We now have leadership, who will stop that tendency, and we finally have the numbers on the board to insure that ALL of our employees are treated fairly. There are certainly people who desperately need to obstruct your awareness of those facts, and hinder us from cleaning up the mess, and dealing with the repercussions. Ask a cafeteria employee how good it feels to pay for someone else’s abuse of the system.

It is up to you to decide what will happen. You, the voter, are the boss. Sadly, most of us see what blind voting has accomplished for our great nation. This is much too serious to be taken lightly. Media spin is not a new concept used to manipulate elections. It’s your responsibility to arm yourself with the facts. Conscientious voters will choose the right candidates to represent them. There will be gullible people voting too, and as we know, we will all foot the bill for ignorance and arrogance. If you do not know me, ask around among the people who do. Inspect my record. Talk to the people who aren’t “drinking the Kool Aid.” If you have questions, contact me. I will take the time to listen to you and answer your questions. Our county’s future depends on informed decision making.

As your Trustee, I will continue to relentlessly combat corruption and maintain a firm stand for the best future for Cherokee County. I will tirelessly uphold the leadership that guards our students, our moral well being and our money. I will support the leadership that employs common sense and frugal use of all revenue, and protects all the people who serve our students. I will fully support the leadership that hires and promotes by proper qualification. I am the 47 year old mother of five. Scott Auton is my husband. I am asking for your vote to re-elect me to the Cherokee County School Board of Trustees, District 7.

Lindley Auton 906 White Plains Rd

Gaffney, SC 29340 LAuton5@aol.com

Fax~487-9700

Home~489-6374 Mobile~590-9533

Office~487-8815