I'm sitting here studying my Florida absentee ballot. I am trying to deal with a major conflict.

Just out of sight, over my left shoulder, hovers the ghost of my father. Born in South Carolina, Citadel graduate, WWII veteran bird colonel, multiple decorations, etc., he was a peaceful man and a Democrat to the core. Early on, he was the reflexive southern Democrat, just as no men of his father's generation would ever vote for the hated carpet-bagger Republicans. Later, my father was a public school teacher and principal. Then as now, the teachers were a Democratic base group. He was anti-Viet Nam war and was deeply affected by the deaths of his former students. He told me at that time, when I brought him the letter offering admission to his alma mater as a legacy, that he didn't intend to raise any Citadel men.

Yet now, I am on the verge of, for the first time in my life, voting for a Republican. I have previously written about the lack of any effective Democratic party in our county and the stranglehold the Republicans have on elected office here. In the last three county commision elections, the real race was the Republican primary (which are open) where the pro-developer/real estate candidates were opposed by anti-growth/environmentalist candidates. This primary was no different but, encouragingly, two of the most slavishly pro-bulldozer incumbents, Dennis Armstrong and Elvira Gainey, were defeated despite the requisite smear and fear campaign and an influx of funds from South Florida and out-of-state developers.

In the case of Mr. Armstrong's replacement, the Republicans chose Susan Valliere, who has taken stands against expanding the airport, building another bridge to Palm City, and altering the county Comprehensive Plan. On the Democratic side, we have Terrence Nolan, an ex-Stuart policeman who ran unopposed in the Democratic side. Now, he has been only too happy to welcome the same pro-development folks along with their money, even repeating some of the same themes used by the defeated Mr. Armstrong. While this is no great surprise, in Florida after all, Mr. Nolan cannot be charged with changing any of his positions, which were left unstated in the primary campaign due to lack of opposition. Nevertheless, the alacrity with which he has prostituted himself to the moneyed interests and the pro-development minority makes one wonder if he has any positions at all besides straight-ticket opportunism. Here is the editorial endorsement from the pro-development local Stuart News.

Do I vote my conscience or do I allow my father to lie peacefully?

I'll be in Boston next week, so posting may be light.

Regarding the other elections on the ballot:

• Governor: Bill McBride
• Attorney General: Buddy Dyer
• Agriculture Commissioner: David Nelson
• US Rep: abstain
• State Rep: abstain

Constitutional Amendments: