'I'll Be Glad When It's Over'

For some county residents who have cast their voters, it's all over, and they will be glad to see the campaign season coming to a close.

There were John McCain votes for security and experience, disillusioned Republican voters going Democratic this time, a man satisfied with the local status quo voting for all the incumbents, and a woman who likes Sarah Palin but voted for Ron Grimming for sheriff over incumbent Susan Benton.

Dorothy Parlante, of Avon Park, voted by absentee ballot. She liked Mitt Romney in the primaries and voted for McCain in the general election.

"I'm a conservative and I believe in all the family values," she said. "I really like Palin. I think she did a lot for McCain."

The country's safety and security are important issues for Parlante.

"I don't believe in Obama when he went over and talked to the radical terrorists," she said. "I don't think that's a good idea. They wouldn't listen anyway."

Parlante voted for Ron Grimming for sheriff.

He looks like a leader and Susan Benton seems to have a temper problem, according to what Parlante said she has been reading.

The campaigns featured too much negative advertising and too many signs, she believes. "I'll be glad when it's over."

Michael Murray, of Sebring, who voted early, offered some background on his party affiliation.

He registered as a Republican in 1964, but that changed after George W. Bush's first term in office.

"I became a very frightened individual in this country, became a registered Democrat," he said.

The party of Barry Goldwater and Jacob Javits no longer exists, Murray said. "I, for the first time in my life, voted straight Democrat."

He also voted all Democratic on the local races.

"That's how frightened I am of the Republican Party," Murray added.

The presidential campaign period is "too long," he said. "Like Barry Goldwater said just before he passed away, we should go to a parliamentary form of government so we don't have to go through this anymore."

Joe Huggler, of Indiana, lives in Sebring during the winter. He voted in Indiana by absentee ballot.

Though he wouldn't reveal his presidential vote, Huggler believes the economy is the primary issue.

Whoever wins the seat in the White House, Huggler believes there won't be any big changes.

"All the promises, I don't see how any of them can be upheld," he said.

Huggler said he gets sick and tired of listening to all the repetitive claims and messages from both parties.

"I'll be glad when it's over," he said.

Huggler will watch the election returns on TV, but won't stay up past his usual bedtime of 10-10:30 p.m.

"The sun is going to come up in the morning whoever wins," he noted.

John Arroyo, of Sebring, voted early for McCain.

"I think McCain has a lot more experience for the position," he said. "He's gone through quite a few trials and tribulations in his life. Being part of the Senate for as long as he has I think he's the one with the experience who needs to lead the country for the next go around."

Arroyo recently retired from the U.S. Navy and has lived in the area for only six months, so he was not too familiar with the candidates in the local races.

He will be monitoring the election results on the Internet.

Danny Thomas, of Sebring, said early voting last week took him only about 10 minutes.

After voting Republican in the past, he voted Democratic this time.

"I'm tired of the Republicans," Thomas said. "We need to do something to get this economy back on a roll. I don't think the Republicans are going to do it this time and I could be dead wrong."

In local races, he is satisfied with "the way it is right now" so he voted for the incumbents.

The presidential campaign seems like it has been going on for two years, Thomas said.

"I think we out to outlaw television campaigning," he said with a chuckle. "If they want to campaign let them get out and talk to the people because this television campaigning is so blown out of proportion my remote is getting worn out from changing channels."

He won't be watching the election coverage on TV.

"I'll just wait and find out because I'm not going to spend all day watching something that I can't make a change now," he said.