So, The Reflector's Ken Vance asks the rather moronic question: can anyone blame Steve Stuart for not seeking re-election?

Yes. I can. Thanks for asking.

No one who says the following, particularly during the course of an official meeting, should hold elective office: (November 5, 2013 Commissioner's Announcements)

"And I've said it before: I don't speak for the people.. I will NEVER speak for "the people," I speak for Steve and some of you are going to agree with me and some of you aren't."

That kind of arrogance and narcissism has no place in government.

Stuart never had the guts to run on that philosophy: had he done so, he wouldn't have been elected dog catcher.

The situation he's facing was the precise same situation Tom Mielke faced for four years. That didn't stop Tom from running, did it?

The ONLY reason he chickened out of running again was the note that Marc Boldt left on the wall on HIS way out:

Steve:

This is what happens when you insist on ignoring the will of the people.

Marc.

The writing on the wall was clear. He, nor any other democrat or candidate supporting the CRC Scam stands a chance in the next election. For that, Stuart has no one to blame but himself... since you asked.

He "walked away" because his defeat is guaranteed.

Unfortunately, that won't stop him from blaming everyone else, but the responsibility for this rests at the end of the ever-shrinking concentric circles Stuart sees every time he looks in a mirror.

For Vance to suggest that this county won't be better off without that rank type of narcissism is to suggest that he was hit in the head with too many baseballs... or that his knowledge of government is limited beyond belief.

Next January, Steve Stuart and his arrogant narcissism will be gone, to be replaced by another Republican.

And contrary to what Vance tells us... he won't be missed.