Well, it's nail biting time. Four precincts have reported and I am, so far, in last place. With two seats pending and four candidates, that's not looking good.
My town, heck, my whole state, is heavily Republican. The top two right now are the Republican candidates, which suggests a lot of people voted straight tickets. One of these men has been on the council before and was not liked in that position, yet here he is in second place. The person in third place used to work for the town and has never attended a town meeting that he wasn't paid to go to. I have attended meetings regularly since I moved to town in 2003, but I haven't put myself forward and made a lot of friends.
Have you ever moved to a small town where no one knows you? Truthfully, I can't blame my neighbors for my lack of popularity. While it doesn't help that everyone here has known each other for at least three generations, I have seen outsiders move into towns and take them over. It's deciding what your goal is. Mine was to remain anonymous. I consider myself to be doing well to get any votes.
All of the votes are in and I came in last. I got 35.3% of the vote, and the winners got 63.4% and 51.3% respectively. That's not bad for a first effort in a town where I am a virtual unknown. (In case you're wondering, there were a total of 748 votes cast, but it was a pick two proposition which is why these percentages are adding up to more than 100. I used 374 people instead of 748 votes.)
The good news is that we got two guys that will care about the town, which was my goal in running. I can still tackle the animal control issue on my own. It would have had greater impact as a town council member, but I will marshall my facts and travel around the county with my proposition. The other thing I wanted to change may be more difficult. It seems the town ordinance is currently written so that council members only have to attend one meeting per year to receive their full salary. I will need to take a day off to look through the ordinances, find out which one that is and get a copy, then see what a citizen can do to get it changed.
Okay, now to watch the other elections. Indiana has a really good chance to get a Democrat Governor and Senator. Keep your fingers crossed. I will do the same for you!
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IceRune
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Comments
You wrote, "Have you ever moved to a small town where no one knows you?"
That is me here in Oregon. Knew no one when we moved here, now have many acquaintances, but not one close friend. I think its age, most people have a full circle of friends by middle age, and the transient type population is hard to make friends with when you know they're leaving....as happened with the one family we really clicked with here.
That's how I found OS. : )
I did just hear on the news that not many women run for office, nationally. That pricked up my ears. I'm not sure I have a thick enough skin for politics.
Just one constituent calling me bland and I'd have a fit of insecurity.... : )
Maybe you'd be interested in fattening up the House or Senate with your womanly presence?
How we all get along. : )
Andrew knew by age 5 he wanted to escape being the altar boy at his Dad's church, live in California and have long hair. Not be a hippie, just have long hair.
Somehow tonight feels like full circle for him...I'm nail-biting here more about that than the race! Okay, at least as much : )
To clarify, I have mentioned in many places on OS that I used to live here and that's true. But by the time I moved back here with my family 11 years later, those friends from then were long gone....just in case someone actually bothered to remember and is wondering...
:)
R
PW, thanks!
do not give up. 35.3 is terrific. That is your 'base'!
You got a base , Phyllis!
You could go be a barista at the most popular coffee shop -- you'll end up knowing everyone and they you : )
I'm thinking of going p/t at the natural food store here (our equivalent of the super popular coffee shop) just for the company (and food discount) ~
Again, I think this calls for congratulations !
James, I think I would be good at it. I can talk to people and I like to insert logic into life.
jlsathre, it's sad, isn't it. Narrow viewpoint and stagnation when you don't let outsiders in.
JT, thanks. I did try to get on at the grocery store once but I had to be to work at 3 and didn't get off at my day job until 4. This town doesn't have too many options. I think you should try the barrista. It's nice to have people to chat with and the counter lets you keep a distance from those you don't want to close.