At the top of the newscast we told you about the stunning but not altogether surprising news that incumbent Cordel Hyde had stepped down and would not be contesting the March 7th. election.
But what does it mean on the ground in Lake Independence? Cordel Hyde has been their representative for 14 years - and for political observers it was a virtual certainty that he would have been elected for five more.
He was loved in the Lake - and so today our intern Robin Schaffer took to the streets - trying to get a reaction to the news of his departure from the residents of Lake Independence. But, it was like pulling teeth.
Right now, politics is a cagey game and with no one having their back, it's even more so.
Most residents that we spoke to had an opinion- but when it came to record it, their tongues were held either by their allegiance to Mr. Hyde or because they were wary of being pegged as belonging to a party. Still, two residents did speak out and this is what they had to say:
Robin Schaffer
"Are you aware that Cordel Hyde stepped down?"
Interviewee 1
"Yes ma'am."
Robin Schaffer
"What are your reactions to that?"
Interviewee 1
"It is surprising to the whole of Lake I because all of us were expecting to give him back the support by voting for him. He abandoned the ship and sank everybody, so it's like they are forcing us to vote red all the way. That's all I got to say about him. I respect him but he abandoned the ship, so only he knows what he is doing. It's like he killed the whole of Lake I when he did that."
Robin Schaffer
"Are you aware that Cordel Hyde has stepped down?"
Interviewee 2
"I would say that he is tired and confused. I am tired of what is happening."
Robin Schaffer
"How do you feel that he has stepped down?"
Interviewee 2
"I feel bad because he is my boy. He helps me a lot."
Robin Schaffer
"What are your hopes after this? You think that someone good can take his place?"
Interviewee 2
"I don't think anyone can take his place because he works back here. I don't know if they will find anyone good like Cordel back here because he works hard for here."
Many residents were willing to speak off camera, and the general feeling? Disappointment. They were upset that the man they had supported for so long would just leave them, and felt like the only other option was to consider the UDP candidate.
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