What a hectic and fun couple of days this has been!
Tonight’s Meet and Greet was fabulous! Jill, Lorraine… thank you! I was reacquainted with many friends (my, how campaigning saps one’s social life) and met new ones as well. Lovely food, lively conversations.
Someone asked me what I have learned the most over the last few weeks. Here’s the short list:
1. Access to the internet is limited in the county. I had thought this was an isolated problem in a few parts of the county. However, a number of residents - from different parts of the county - have mentioned this to me. The Internet was supposed to be the great equalizer - allowing everyone access to a wealth of information and a providing an avenue for expression (this web log is an example of that!). While there are issues of inequality related to illiteracy, access to computers, and corporations bent on trying to control the content we see, there is a weak infrastructure which we need to contend with.
2. Alternative transportation. My electric car has arrived (more on that soon) and I have been hearing more and more complaints about the high cost of fuel. Although residents mentioned it occasionally at first, the battle cry for alternative transportation is getting louder. Yes! I asked gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson on Monday evening if Monroe County could just have its share of the “I-69 money” - we could use it to build light rail throughout the county. She seems pretty set on new terrain I-69. Thanks to Mark Stoops and Sophia Travis for holding a press conference with Kevin Enright (our county surveyor) last Saturday. Kevin has a great map which shows a shorter route from Port Huron Michigan to Laredo Texas - all via interstates. We need to determine the best way to prevent I-69 from happening. Let’s invest in transportation of the FUTURE, instead of a dinosaur (highway) from the past!
3. It is very difficult to balance work with campaigning. I wasn’t surprised by this, I just thought it would be more managable. There are numerous forums, breakfasts, meet and greets, meetings, news conferences, “extra” voting days, dinners, and similar events which crowd the calendar all too quickly. Many of them arise at the very last minute. That is the aspect of this balancing act which I had not anticipated wouldbe so common. With most events, work is juggled, the event attended, and then I return to work until 2 am or so to get everything done. Every so often, I have to miss an event because I cannot simply adjust my work schedule. A great example of this was today. I had planned for weeks to attend the Karst Farm accessible playground ribbon cutting ceremony. Unfortunately, a printer needed to be repaired. Although the client appreciated this, I missed another great event. Sometimes there are multiple events I wish to attend. A great example of this: Saturday May 3. A series of seminars/speakers on the topic ”No Jail” (great idea!), early voting at the Curry building, the farmers’ market, and a great list of doors to knock on.
The learning process continues. Note that the first two I listed came from county residents. That’s where learning will take place and continue, should I be so fortunate as to be elected to this office.
A county resident wrote to tell me that he hasn’t seen any county government representatives out where he lives. That brought to mind the fun I had last Saturday at the Stinesville “meet and greet”, hosted by the Stinesville Fire Corps. Firehouses seem to be at the center of townships/towns in the county. I would appreciate the opportunity to travel to various firehouses to hold public meetings. I love to listen! If I am elected, I plan to keep a finger on the pulse of the county. Yes, residents can always come to me, but I also need to go to them.
Please ensure that your friends are getting out to vote! Early voting continues at the Curry building. I have heard reports that it is getting busier there. If you are reminding someone to vote, please remind them to vote local, not just national! And please explain why the County Council, Commissioner, and judicial races are so important to our future!
