Less than 90 Days to go!

The General Election will soon be upon us…  Early voting begins October 6, less than 2 months from now.  Forums, meet-and-greets, fundraisers, and other events are filling my calendar.

I am fortunate to have enjoyed two lovely fundraisers in the past week.  Saturday morning, Isabel Piedmont (Bloomington City Council) made pancakes for the steady stream of Thomas for Council supporters.  Folks were generous at the donation jar and offered great words of encouragement.  I also learned a great deal in discussions about the environment and some folks expressed their thoughts on the recent budget hearings. 

Linda Sievers (Bloomington Township Trustee) hosted an ice cream social on my behalf in her lovely backyard garden.  What a beautiful place to chat with folks about the County Council and the issues of focus for County residents.  It was wonderful to see a lot of new faces - including two female students at IU, who are becoming more interested in local politics as a result of the national interest in the Presidential race. 

Thanks to all my supporters - both those new to the campaign and those who have been behind me all along!

Friday night, I would love to be at the Bryan Park block party, but I will be at Terry’s beginning at 6 pm for the Women’s Equality Day Dinner, hosted by the Democratic Women’s Caucus; Saturday: the Farmers’ market in the morning, assisting Monroe County United Ministries with their food drive on Saturday afternoon at the Save-a-Lot store on N. Walnut; and Italian dinner at the Indian Creek fire station.  I think I may sleep in a bit on Sunday.

Bloomington Summer

Bloomington in the summertime - there is nothing quite like it.  Farmers’ market tables weighed down with colorful harvests, folks out walking downtown, the summer sun beckons those of us stuck inside at work all day to take a five minute break to soak in a few rays. 

Too soon, it seems, the bright yellow school buses rumble down our county roads and out-of-state license plates become commonplace in town.    It’s back to cooler weather, more time indoors, a precipitous decline in produce at the Saturday market.  There will be lines at our favorite local restaurants where we enjoyed “immediate seating” most of the summer.  Traffic will increase and bottlenecks will be more common.  Add 10 minutes to any cross-town travel. 

But this is what Bloomington is all about.  Thousands of new residents arrive every year - many experiencing our lovely city and county for the first time.  They carry with them new ideas, new ways of thinking, full of possibility, seeing the world with fresh eyes.  Despite being a long-time resident of the county, I hope to bring these particular qualities of a new arrival  to the County Council.  

Ah, pancakes for breakfast at Isabel’s house tomorrow morning.  I’m looking forward to it!

It’s Back!

Campaign season is BACK!

And so is the blog.

I’ve had some wonderful experiences since May - vacation in Northern Michigan with family, being named an IU Preferred Vendor for my business, visiting with folks at the Monroe County Fair…  I have enjoyed watching the increasing interest in the political sphere this year (due mainly to the Presidential race, of course).  But I do wonder - can all those polls be wrong?  Do people really want more of the same (McCain?  Daniels?).   Please encourage your friends and family - no matter where they live - to support Democrats from the White House to the local Courthouse.

I’ve knocked on more than a few doors in the past few weeks and have had a wonderful time meeting new friends of the campaign.  It’s probably my favorite part of campaigning.

Photos and details from the past few months are coming soon…

While it’s sad to see August is already here, I am happy to be back on the campaign trail.

Thank you, everyone!

I am humbled by the support I have received leading up to this election.  The many volunteers who offered their time, financial contributors, sage advice from mentors, residents who offered words of encouragement, and the most incredible, hard-working campaign team: Lorraine and Cathi, Megan, Jane, and Isabel.

More than 14,500 Monroe county voters supported me in the primary.  Thank you to each and every one of you.

Warren and Geoff were also elected last night…Congratulations!  I believe we comprise a strong slate for the November election.  I would also like to thank Will Murphy and Marcus Moir for running strong, positive campaigns.  Marcus has been a strong opponent of the construction of a new jail.  Will has been a strong opponent of poverty.   I am grateful for these candidates for highlighting these issues.  I absolutely agree that we must (and can) reduce poverty in our community.  A strong local economy will in that regard, and I pledge to support our area’s social service agencies as they provide the necessary short-term relief to our residents.   I also believe we can work to reduce the recidivism rate in our adult jail - to avoid building a new one.  We can do this for less than $ 9 million per year (the estimated cost of building and operating a new jail).  While I believe we need a juvenile justice facility, it should be focused on therapeutic treatment and assistance rather than incarceration.  Poverty is directly connected to the crime rate and the problem of recidivism.    

I look forward to getting our message out to all the voters of Monroe County.   And I look forward to working with each of you as we create a better future for our county residents.

Again, thank you!

Thank you and here we go!

It’s nearly election day. 

I could not have come this far in the campaign without a fabulous team!  Lorraine and Cathi are the best co-managers a candidate could have!  Organized, efficient, smart, fun, savvy.  Many thanks for Megan for serving as Treasurer and also serving in many other capacities.  We always say “thanks Megan” anytime we buy anything “paid for by….Megan Hutchison, Treasurer”!  Isabel Piedmont has been a great help to me (as a mentor) and to the campaign - good ideas, hard work.  Jane has been the creative force behind the campaign.  I have heard so many positive comments about the campaign logo and the literature (from quarter sheets to the postcard) are always inviting and easy on the eye.  Regina and Dee served the campaign well as advisors.  Their wisdom and strength are inspirational.

There have been many donors to the campaign - both small and large contributions.  We have spent the money wisely, and have done so with a focus on sustainability (recycled paper made from banana peels), in support of our local economy (we utilized local printers and a local vendor for shirts, signs and buttons), and in support of labor (see the union bug on our yard signs.

The contributions extend beyond money.  So many kind people have walked on behalf of the campaign (Isabel, Jane, Megan, Cathi, Lorraine, Tonia, and Jillian).  They served as wonderful representatives of the campaign.  I heard so many raves from voters who answered the door to one of their friendly faces!  From welcoming early voters at the Curry Building to chatting with the locals at the Farmers’ market - I am blessed to have such a great team.

David is a new friend of the campaign - he met Isabel when she walked door to door on behalf of the campaign, we corresponded via e-mail, he made a financial contribution to the campaign, and tomorrow (election day), he has volunteered to work at a polling place as a volunteer to distribute campaign literature.  Thank you for your enthusiasm and contributions, David!  I am looking forward to meeting you face-to-face!

Thanks to Michael for being the support at home (and in my heart) that helps keep me going!

Lastly, thank you to you, the voters.  The enthusiasm this election season is palpable.  No matter how you vote, your engagement in this process has inspired so many of us!  Thank you! 

Now, it’s up to you.  I am eager to continue serving Monroe County.  If most of you agree with my plans / ideas, then you will let me know.  I trust you and I trust the process.

Thank you for the opportunity to run! 

More of your questions answered!

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!

Responding to Questions…

I receive a number of questions via my camapgin e-mail address (thomasforcouncil@gmail.com) and I enjoy the process of answering them.  Some of the questions remind me of the New York Times crossword puzzle - challenging and, in the end, a learning experience.

A County resident submitted a number of questions / concerns and although they asked for the issues to be addressed directly on my campaign website, I felt it more appropriate to answer them here, on the blog.

First, there is a concern about the conditions of the county roads, especially in the furthest reaches of the county.  The county highway department is responsible for the maintenance of all of the bridges in the county (including those in the city) and more than 650 miles of county roads.  While the highway department reports directly to the county commissioners, the budget for the highway department is approved by the county council.

When the roads are in a state of disrepair (potholes, erosion, etc.), the highway department should be contacted at 825-5355.  The department will let you know if the roads in question are scheduled for repair or repaving and when the work is scheduled.  If it’s not yet scheduled, they will take note of your concerns and will investigate any problems.   As a county resident, I have called the department in the past when I’ve encountered potholes on our roads or were concerned with eroding roadway edges.  These problems were addressed in a timely manner - in most cases within 24 hours!  What great service!  Although the highway department has a limited budget (as do all county departments), they are able to respond effectively to the needs of county residents.  

In general, improvements to county roads (in terms of creating wider roads) occurs when there is an increase in traffic flow requiring that these roads be widened (for safety reasons).   Again, these concerns can be investigated by the county highway department - traffic flow can be studied and alterations to the roadways scheduled, if needed.

The next question concerns the very important topic of internet access.  In the outlying areas of the county, the infrastructure for telephone and DSL connections is rather limited.  Typically, these areas are updated last and competing companies don’t focus on population areas of lower density.  Telecommunications contracts are negotiated by the county commissioners (they are the legislative branch in the county).  In addition, it’s important to note that consumers may have other options, including satellite-based internet access and broadband access (via cellular telephone towers).  However, both are limited in applicability, depending on where one lives.

The last question concerns the discharge of firearms in the county.  Although prohibited in the city, the discharge of firearms in the county is limited (based on the density of the residential area), but legal.  Again, i would recommend bringing this issue to the attention of the county commissioners.  As the the legislative arm of county government, they are in a position to consider any changes to the firearms ordinance in the county. 

I hope these responses are helpful.  Please drop me a note via e-mail or reply to this blog entry if you have any further questions on these topics or others. 

 

19 Days to go!

Voting for the Primary ends in just 19 days!

One comment I have heard often is: “I live in the city, so I can’t vote for you.”

Not true!  City residents are County residents.  Since this is an at-large race, I am running in the entire County, including the city of Bloomington.

This comment points to the importance of civic engagement.  Part of civic engagement is educating residents on their county government - who is responsible for what and how various departments and entities function.

More soon!

It has been a great week!

The campaigning continues - with a number of events (it seems!) every night, and door-to-door campaigning, it has taken a week for me to get back to the blog.

This great week culminated in the first Farmers’ market of the season!  As I drove into town this morning, the sun was burning off patchy fog.  It was absolutely lovely to see this over the green fields in my neighborhood.     It is exciting to be back at the Showers Plaza to shop for fresh produce, eggs, dairy, spices, flowers, etc.   I have attended a few of the Winter Market events at Harmonty school this year - and I really appreciated the ability to attend a farmers’ market in February!  But there is something different about being outdoors for a market.  Even though the pickings are slim this time of year (but no less tasty!) with eggs, greens and sweet potatoes available, there were tons of folks at the market today!  The community gathered to reconnect with old friends and to make new ones.  There was also a feeling of hope among the shoppers today - the opening of the market is significant as a clear sign of the arrival olf spring.

All day long today, as I made my way through the city and across the campus, people were outside in droves.  It is like an entirely different community when we are able to enjoy the outdoors in droves.  It is great to emerge from winter!

Today’s event was the forum organized by Citizens for Effective Justice (CEJ) held at the Monroe County Puiblic Library.  Candidates in the Judicial, Commissioner, and County Council races were invited to attend, and to answer specific questions presented by the organization and audience questions as well.  It was difficult not to notice the absence of Republican candidates at the event.  They were invited, but, as a group (apparently) chose not to attend. What a disappointment.

Oversight of the Criminal Justice system (Law Enforcement, the Prosecutor’s office, and the Courts) is a very important part of the County government’s tasks.  The jail is currently over-crowded.  There are proponents of building a new jail on the former Thompson property site.  Others argue that if we build it, we’ll fill it.  The problem, in my view, extends beyond the problem of jail over-crowding.  It is about how we feel as a society about those who are incarcerated.  Yes, we need jails (and prisons) - the safety of our community depends on the incarcertation of offenders (especially those who are violent).  However, we cannot warehouse human beings.  The United Sates has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with 1% of our national population in the prison system. 

We need to think much more creatively about how to best re-integrate offenders into our community once they have completed their sentence.  This effort needs to begin while the offender is in jail, and it needs to continue after the inmate’s release. 

I will be writing more about  this issue in the next few days.  But the forum was a great learning event - and there is a great deal more for us to learn!

Forums, Forums, Forums

The Forum season has begun.  For those who aren’t aware of this local feature on the political landscape, forums are one- or two-Party opportunities to deliver a stump speech and possibly respond to questions from an audience.  Forums are a great opportunity for candidates to not only deliver their message (and differentiate themselves from the competition) but also to hear the concerns and ideas of residents.  At the Democracy for Monroe County forum this week, Council candidates had the opportunity to discuss creating a green economy, defining “progressive”, and the possibility of utilizing a local income tax to make up for a potential revenue stream shortfall (a result of last week’s legislative “reform” of local government).

My answer to the last question is: we don’t know what to expect right now in terms of the future revenue stream for the County.  This is probably one of the most difficult times to even contemplate serving on the Council.  There are more questions than answers in the 700+-page bill passed last week.  A great deal of research is needed.  I’ve downloaded the legislation and I am beginning the process.