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11/7/2009 3:33 AM

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Andy Smialek voted in Tuesday's election. Not that there was anything altogether remarkable about that, except that he was among slightly more than 22 percent of the eligible voters in Washington County to go to the polls. It was reported to be the lightest voter turnout here ever for a general election.

Oh, there is another thing. Andy is 93 (his birthday was Wednesday), and it was at the least the 176th consecutive election in which he exercised his constitutional right to vote. (He can't recall how many special elections have been called over the years, but he says he's never missed a one.)

Andy Smialek is my father, and he has taken seriously his right and duty to vote in every election - primary, general and special - since Nov. 3, 1936. In that one, he cast his vote for incumbent president Franklin D. Roosevelt in the race against Alf Landon. It was FDR's second of what was to be an unprecedented four terms as president of the United States.

That Dad voted Tuesday came at a price. He always drove himself to the polling place in Cecil Township, but age and infirmities, and a six-month skein of illnesses, made it necessary for him to rely on his son-in-law, Gerald Lowery, and granddaughter, Deborah Lowery, both of Peters Township, for the ride this time.

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As is usually the case with him, he voted straight Democrat. Not that it mattered all that much, as he now has a difficult time reading anything smaller than newspaper headlines. He'd been hoping to regain the driving privilege he lost in January but has now accepted the truth that he won't. Shame, too, as he was a good and capable driver for more years than he has been a voter.

Is 176 consecutive votes a record in this state? Not sure. There's a good chance that 176 consecutive straight Democrat tickets is, however. He remembers the Great Depression.

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Welcome

to our world

Mason Lee Shearer, born Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, to Lindsay and Keith Shearer of Blythewood, S.C. (mother is formerly of Washington)

Kaliee Renee Knight, born Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, to Dani and John Knight of Canonsburg

Lindsey Marie Liberatore, born Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, to Jenifer and Bob Liberatore of Canonsburg

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Birthday candles

Nov. 8 - Amanda Alteri, A.J. Williams

Nov. 9 - Dan Burt, Don Herschell

Nov. 10 - Jodi Andree, Edith Burk of Washington, her 90th, George Murin

Nov. 11 - Willie Parker

Byron Smialek's columns appear Tuesdays and Saturdays. Send anniversary and birthday greetings to 1312 Banetown Road, Washington, PA 15301. His e-mail address is byretired@live.com.

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