Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Forums, Radio and more Doors
Well, we are in the home stretch with less than two weeks to go until the April 7th election. It's unfortunate that most of the folks in "the know" are predicting a light turnout for this election. With no bond, tax or major issues on the ballot, that leaves only the school board and city council seat races for folks to turn out and vote for. Historically the turnout has hovered around 15-20% in this type of election. With record settind wind speeds over the past couple days, I'll be out mending wounded campaign signs again. As if installing and reinstalling them once wasn't enough, I'll be out at least one more time to check on them.
This past week has been a busy one with the League of Women Votes candidate forum, a radio interview on KFRU's Morning Meeting and another forum last night hosted by the NAACP.
I felt good about my responses at the LWV Forum held at the Columbia Public Library. I wish we'd been able to spend more time as city council candidates fielding questions about city wants and needs. Unfortunately, we were scheduled to share the room with the school board candidates, and they have 9 men and women running for 2 spots. Even with a couple of them absent, it put a time constraint on the hosts.
My opponent and I were invited to sit in for about 40 minutes on the Morning Meeting with Simon and Renee. Renee participated by phone as she was recovering from the flu. If it was of the same variety as the one that nearly took me out three weeks ago, I wish her a speedy recovery. That was no fun. I did enjoy, however, the chance to meet and visit with Simon. I was apprehensive about the live call-in aspect, but it actually worked out just fine. It sure makes you appreciate a radio hosts' ability to think on their feet and adapt to a variety of subject matter and caller intentions.
Finally, we (city council and school board candidates) were invited to the NAACP Candidate forum last night. Another night where you hoped for a little more time, but had to understand that there were a lot of folks up there hoping to make their impression upon the crowd. Most of the questions for the city council were about issues that are hot buttons right now. Police interaction with citizens, taser use and stimulus money.
With just one more radio interview next week, it's down to door-knocking and meeting as many folks as possible at this point. I'm excited and anxious at the same time.
This past week has been a busy one with the League of Women Votes candidate forum, a radio interview on KFRU's Morning Meeting and another forum last night hosted by the NAACP.
I felt good about my responses at the LWV Forum held at the Columbia Public Library. I wish we'd been able to spend more time as city council candidates fielding questions about city wants and needs. Unfortunately, we were scheduled to share the room with the school board candidates, and they have 9 men and women running for 2 spots. Even with a couple of them absent, it put a time constraint on the hosts.
My opponent and I were invited to sit in for about 40 minutes on the Morning Meeting with Simon and Renee. Renee participated by phone as she was recovering from the flu. If it was of the same variety as the one that nearly took me out three weeks ago, I wish her a speedy recovery. That was no fun. I did enjoy, however, the chance to meet and visit with Simon. I was apprehensive about the live call-in aspect, but it actually worked out just fine. It sure makes you appreciate a radio hosts' ability to think on their feet and adapt to a variety of subject matter and caller intentions.
Finally, we (city council and school board candidates) were invited to the NAACP Candidate forum last night. Another night where you hoped for a little more time, but had to understand that there were a lot of folks up there hoping to make their impression upon the crowd. Most of the questions for the city council were about issues that are hot buttons right now. Police interaction with citizens, taser use and stimulus money.
With just one more radio interview next week, it's down to door-knocking and meeting as many folks as possible at this point. I'm excited and anxious at the same time.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Muleskinners / Doorknocking
MULESKINNERS - Developing a platform
Met for a candidate forum at the Muleskinners Friday lunch. I feel like I'm finally getting more comfortable with the format and I've managed to put some time into my platform to actually have sound reasoning and methodology to my ideas. Over the past couple forums (The League of Women Voters and Muleskinners), I have presented a few of those ideas and feel like they have been well-received.
My opponent actually mirrors my wants for the city in a couple ways, but I feel like the real difference between us is that I have actually given serious thought to ways to put plans into action. Good intentions can only get you so far. Eventually we will have to present ideas to the council that have some backbone and a legitimate chance of working. I have many ideas and feel like they can make a difference, but I'm also realistic in those thoughts, knowing that I must be able to gain the support of fellow council members in order to make things happen. That support will come when a good idea is followed up by a well-thought out plan on how to achieve the goal.
DOORKNOCKING
Managed to make it through the day without rain, which allowed me to meet more folks while door-knocking again today. I must say this is an interesting way to meet people. Catching them in the middle of lunch or a nap isn't exaclty the best way to make an impression I know, but it's virtually impossible to pick a time to avoid this. Most folks are really nice and seem to respect the commitment to running for council. I appreciate that.
Met for a candidate forum at the Muleskinners Friday lunch. I feel like I'm finally getting more comfortable with the format and I've managed to put some time into my platform to actually have sound reasoning and methodology to my ideas. Over the past couple forums (The League of Women Voters and Muleskinners), I have presented a few of those ideas and feel like they have been well-received.
My opponent actually mirrors my wants for the city in a couple ways, but I feel like the real difference between us is that I have actually given serious thought to ways to put plans into action. Good intentions can only get you so far. Eventually we will have to present ideas to the council that have some backbone and a legitimate chance of working. I have many ideas and feel like they can make a difference, but I'm also realistic in those thoughts, knowing that I must be able to gain the support of fellow council members in order to make things happen. That support will come when a good idea is followed up by a well-thought out plan on how to achieve the goal.
DOORKNOCKING
Managed to make it through the day without rain, which allowed me to meet more folks while door-knocking again today. I must say this is an interesting way to meet people. Catching them in the middle of lunch or a nap isn't exaclty the best way to make an impression I know, but it's virtually impossible to pick a time to avoid this. Most folks are really nice and seem to respect the commitment to running for council. I appreciate that.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Door Knocking 3.17.09
Used the beautiful weather to knock on some more doors today. I actually found several folks home and met some friendly people who offered some good feedback.
Several mentioned that they had seen my signs on their way to work or home. That's good news. I had hoped to get some name recognition from the signs, but you just never know if you have the right locations.
Hope to get out again tomorrow for a few hours and leave my info card with more potential voters.
Several mentioned that they had seen my signs on their way to work or home. That's good news. I had hoped to get some name recognition from the signs, but you just never know if you have the right locations.
Hope to get out again tomorrow for a few hours and leave my info card with more potential voters.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Brookside Square HOA Meeting 3.16.09
I was invited to meet the Brookside Square Homeowners Association tonight. There were about a dozen folks there along with the other candidate.
We were given an opportunity to provide an opening statement and answer about a half-dozen or so questions ranging from concerns about the amount of litter on the roadsides in and around the Second Ward to curiosity about our positions on things from the City of Columbia's commitment to renewable energy and of course the fight to reduce crime.
I believe it is going to be important to focus on more community involvement as our City continues to become larger and begins to face bigger city issues. Maintaining a healthy relationship with Homeowner Associations is a great way to do that.
If elected to Council I will work to promote the acceptance and use of Neighborhood Watch programs by all active homeowner associations. I believe the importance of an active and involved homeowner association cannot be underestimated. Streets full of folks who are not only interested, but actively involved in the care, management and health of their neighborhood can be the difference between an area that is unsafe and neglected versus well-kept and vibrant.
I applaud these folks for being involved and look forward to the opportunity to work with them and others like them throughout the ward.
We were given an opportunity to provide an opening statement and answer about a half-dozen or so questions ranging from concerns about the amount of litter on the roadsides in and around the Second Ward to curiosity about our positions on things from the City of Columbia's commitment to renewable energy and of course the fight to reduce crime.
I believe it is going to be important to focus on more community involvement as our City continues to become larger and begins to face bigger city issues. Maintaining a healthy relationship with Homeowner Associations is a great way to do that.
If elected to Council I will work to promote the acceptance and use of Neighborhood Watch programs by all active homeowner associations. I believe the importance of an active and involved homeowner association cannot be underestimated. Streets full of folks who are not only interested, but actively involved in the care, management and health of their neighborhood can be the difference between an area that is unsafe and neglected versus well-kept and vibrant.
I applaud these folks for being involved and look forward to the opportunity to work with them and others like them throughout the ward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
