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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 9:31 PM CDT
LETTER: Schniers has the ability to relate to others

By JUSTIN and TREVA GRIMES, Oakland

We met Ed Schniers when he was the leader of the Coles Campus Life Ministry. We attended the meetings he led and became good friends with Ed and his wife Rosie.

He has a very sanguine personality, and his interactions with others are laced with compassion and dignity. His genuine affection for people has its foundation in his deep faith and strong moral values.

We have kept in touch with Ed over the years and he has carried these attributes into everything he does. He is honest and fair, and he has a unique ability to relate to others on many different levels.

Ed has always chosen employment in fields wherein he can serve the community around him. He has a true servant’s heart.

We are very pleased that Ed is running for Coroner of Coles County. He would be a tremendous asset to our community in this challenging role.

JUSTIN and TREVA GRIMES

Oakland

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Early Bird wrote on Oct 23, 2008 5:23 AM:

" I have met Ed Schniers, and he seems like a nice guy. Being a nice guy is not a qualification for any job, let alone an important position such as this. I have to ask a simple question: why in the world would we want to replace someone who has years as experience, both as coroner and as a deputy coroner, with someone who has absolutely no experience in this area?

Are we electing people on the basis of their personality or are we electing the best people for the job?

I would suggest that people look at the experience of both candidates and then choose the most qualified person. "

medic57 wrote on Oct 23, 2008 11:22 AM:

" Early Bird

There are no qualifications for coroner and Ed has spent many years as a assistant to John Schilling at the funeral home, and was very compassionate whem my parents were buried. The easiest way to find Mike Nichols is to look at the Eagles, Moose, American Legion or Elks. He is usually in on of those places. He has even showed up on site toasted. "

injustice85 wrote on Oct 23, 2008 12:48 PM:

" Nice guy are not, his unprofessional public outbursts don't meet my qualifications as a good public servant, he should try reaching out to the "all" of the community around him, I think Nichols has done fine and so shall he hopefully continue "

robin8002 wrote on Oct 23, 2008 3:05 PM:

" injustice- there you go lying again. There have never been any public outbursts by Mr. Schniers.Mr. Nichols has zero compassion and is not discreet at all. Ed has been reaching out to ALL of Coles County by walking door to door in every community in the county. Lights, sirens and stars are not discreet in any way; neither is driving at excessive speeds to non emergencies. A coroner can respond in a timely manner without that. Mr. Schniers is the most qualified canidate for coroner. The office of the coroner requires very minimal technical training and that is the reason why every newly elected coroner has SIX MONTHES from the date elected to complete this training. "

Harry Potter wrote on Oct 23, 2008 4:52 PM:

" If you all knew what one of the candidates has to put up with, you would understand why he's looking for a way to be out of the house more often. I think nj has a pretty good idea. LOL! "

kelly armor wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:31 AM:

" I would have to agree with Early Bird about Mr. Schniers -- heck of a nice guy, but what are his qualifications? He does not even have a degree or certification as a mortician; he is merely a funeral home employee. When I asked about his training, he said that the attended a seminar about being a coroner!! This is simply not acceptable!!! A coroner has a lot of far-reaching power, in terms of determining cause of death, whether foul play could be involved, etc. I think the people of Coles Co. deserve someone with proper training and experience, not someone who has helped out at the funeral home and attended a seminar. Yes, compassion is important, but it isn't everything. The sad thing is I bet Mr. Schniers wins because he is well-known, well-connected (brother-in-law of Charleston's mayor), and well-liked. His win will be a loss for the people of Coles Co., nice guy or not. "

kelly armor wrote on Oct 24, 2008 9:34 AM:

" And robin, what does that fact that he's gone door-to-door all over the county have to do in proving he's good for the job? All that shows is an eagerness to get elected -- he's at your door because he wants your vote. Why does that make him deserving of the vote, though? "

Dave1915 wrote on Oct 24, 2008 11:01 AM:

" I have to agree with Early Bird, that there isn't anything better than experience to meet the needs of a job. Compassion is important, but experiences with compassion would make for a better candidate and I believe Mr. Nichols has both.

I have attended several functions for Mr. Nichols and found him to be cordial and highly knowledgable about the duties required of a County Coroner. I'm not sure why there aren't some basic requirements for the position of County Coroner, but I can't see electing someone without a proven medical background.

Mr. Nichols continuing education (specifically aimed at his County Coroner position) over the past 20 years has provided him with an outstanding pedegree (over 200 university accredited hours) that cannot be matched by any of the other candidates running for County Coroner.

I believe Mr. Nichols is our only clear choice for County Coroner. "

medic57 wrote on Oct 24, 2008 12:07 PM:

" I have attended several functions for Mr. Nichols and found him to be cordial

Most people are when shaking your hand with a drink in the other. "

Harry Potter wrote on Oct 24, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Your posts in support of Schniers would have more credibility if you stopped hinting that Nichols was a lush, Medic. I happen to know him personally and know that is not the truth.

I guess if your candidate has zero experience and qualifications, it's necessary to come up with some dirt, even if you have to make up baloney like your comrade robin has been attempting to do also.

So far all I have seen about Schniers is that he is a nice guy and likes to knock on doors. Not a word about experience, but constant mention of the minimal qualifications, which is good for your guy, because he has none. "

injustice85 wrote on Oct 24, 2008 7:04 PM:

" Oh Robin I thought I would meet you here again, there you go again accusing me of lying, it'll take more of an argument than that, I don't particularly care if he traveled from one end of Coles county to the other that doesn't make him anymore professional or qualified, His manner is as qualified as your logic and just about as unprofessional "

85CHSGrad wrote on Oct 24, 2008 10:01 PM:

" Ed Schniers is a very nice man. I am considering voting for him. Ed struck me as very genuine and caring.

I think Ed would be an asset to the community!

Sorry I can't say the same for the republican candidate for State's Atty! "

das wrote on Oct 24, 2008 10:45 PM:

" Why replace something that isn't broken? The funniest thing I have heard this election season was someone telling me that Schniers is the most qualified candidate, I couldn't believe it. Nichols has YEARS of experience and he seems to be doing a might fine job. Sure, this guy seems nice, but nice compared to knowing what you're doing. Yeah, I think some knowledge wins this battle. "

Early Bird wrote on Oct 25, 2008 6:57 AM:

" das wrote on Oct 24, 2008 10:45 PM:

" Why replace something that isn't broken? The funniest thing I have heard this election season was someone telling me that Schniers is the most qualified candidate, I couldn't believe it. Nichols has YEARS of experience and he seems to be doing a might fine job. Sure, this guy seems nice, but nice compared to knowing what you're doing. Yeah, I think some knowledge wins this battle. "

....................

Sorry to "steal" your post das, but you said it better than anyone else has, including myself.

And for medic57, it appears that you spend too much time in the bars yourself to be criticising anyone else. lol! "

Interested Observer wrote on Oct 25, 2008 8:25 AM:

" I happen to know and like all 3 candidates running, but only one-- Mike Nichols-- is truly qualified for the position. Mike is both kind and compassionate and a real "Nancy Nitpick" when it comes to discharging his duties as coroner. I have twice had to deal with Mike as coroner, and I can't imagine anyone doing a better job at helping a grief-stricken family through tragic times. I read lots of innuendo here about Mike's personal habits, but very little about first-hand dealings with him. I have personal experience with him as coroner, and that experience makes it a 'no brainer' in casting my vote for Mike Nichols. "

unknownjoe wrote on Oct 25, 2008 8:59 AM:

" The Hypocrisy of the demo-socialists knows no bounds. Suddenly "Experience" becomes the cornerstone of qualifications for coroner. Interesting how it is not a qualifier for POTUS. But, being a well spoken nice guy who goes door to door like a community organizer is. "

Interested Observer wrote on Oct 25, 2008 11:32 AM:

" unknownjoe: Who said they were a Democrat? I'm a lifelong Republican-leaning independent, for what it's worth. *shrug* "

robin8002 wrote on Oct 28, 2008 3:03 PM:

" IO- What happend to the family from windsor with the 10 year old was that proper "discharge" of duties? I think not lets look at that "