The weather hasn't been very cooperative this week. Just as it's time to collect signatures on my petitions, it rains.
Last night, though, proved otherwise and I had a great time meeting voters.
The best dialogue was with one gentleman:
Me: Would you please sign my petition?
He: Why should ?
Me: So there will be two people on the ballot.
He: So?
Me: Having a choice is better than none.
He: Who is your opponent?
Me: Deb Mell.
He: Why didn't you say that in the first place? Of course, I'll sign.
We're also having some good success contacting local unions in our search for their endorsement. More information on that later. For now it is a matter of making contact as they won't endorse until the ballot is announced by the Board of Elections.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Signature Update
Door by door, the numbers begin to add up as voters in my district sign my ballot-access petition. I can't speak for the volunteers who are making the trek down the blocks but for me it is an incredibly affirming journey. Some sign because they believe in "open ballot access;" others want to see a choice on the ballot; many are dissatisfied with the encumbent or the encumbent's family.
I also hear of the issues... mostly health insurance and ethical government. It is interesting that the voters who question me the most are the ones most willing to sign my petition. One jovial guy asked about gun control, then drugs, then vouchers... He liked my first two answers and then noted, "Two out of three ain't bad."
I also hear of the issues... mostly health insurance and ethical government. It is interesting that the voters who question me the most are the ones most willing to sign my petition. One jovial guy asked about gun control, then drugs, then vouchers... He liked my first two answers and then noted, "Two out of three ain't bad."
Friday, August 7, 2009
I can't believe it's been more than a month
OK, I'm sorry I've been absent for so long. Last post July 5? I thought I had only missed three weeks at most.
Between traveling on business, keeping all the work on my desk moving along, and (most recently) collecting signatures on my petitions, it has been one busy month.
The short of it all is that the campaign is going well, there's a cadre of canvassers willing to collect signatures, and there's an actual group of volunteers who are doing necessary and helpful work to make my campaign succeed.
Tomorrow we'll be hitting the sidewalks to knock on doors for signatures. We had our first completed petitions notarized this morning. And campaign contributions are coming in as well. In spite of this afternoon's rain, it feels like a sunny day.
Between traveling on business, keeping all the work on my desk moving along, and (most recently) collecting signatures on my petitions, it has been one busy month.
The short of it all is that the campaign is going well, there's a cadre of canvassers willing to collect signatures, and there's an actual group of volunteers who are doing necessary and helpful work to make my campaign succeed.
Tomorrow we'll be hitting the sidewalks to knock on doors for signatures. We had our first completed petitions notarized this morning. And campaign contributions are coming in as well. In spite of this afternoon's rain, it feels like a sunny day.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
July 4 Weekend
It's been a busy weekend spent doing all kinds of campaign work.
Let's see.
On Friday I assembled canvassing packages to get ready to collect signatures on my petitions: instructions, maps, registered voter lists, literature, voter registration cards, and petitions to follow as soon as they are printed. Friday night I walked a precinct for what seemed to be miles.
Saturday morning we were at the Independence Park July 4 Parade, passing out literature, meeting voters, and finding supporters. Saturday afternoon I met with a former p0litico in the district just to hear about his experiences. Got a good earful about the dos and don'ts of campaigning. He was generally helpful and friendly but not willing to be public in acknowledging me. That evening we put labels on envelopes for a fund-raising mailing.
Sunday I canvassed another precinct. Knocked on 70 doors. Little by little I'm getting around. Let me know if you want to help.
Let's see.
On Friday I assembled canvassing packages to get ready to collect signatures on my petitions: instructions, maps, registered voter lists, literature, voter registration cards, and petitions to follow as soon as they are printed. Friday night I walked a precinct for what seemed to be miles.
Saturday morning we were at the Independence Park July 4 Parade, passing out literature, meeting voters, and finding supporters. Saturday afternoon I met with a former p0litico in the district just to hear about his experiences. Got a good earful about the dos and don'ts of campaigning. He was generally helpful and friendly but not willing to be public in acknowledging me. That evening we put labels on envelopes for a fund-raising mailing.
Sunday I canvassed another precinct. Knocked on 70 doors. Little by little I'm getting around. Let me know if you want to help.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Roll Call
The 17th District Police Force held an outdoor roll call this evening. Yours truy attended.
The neighboor has been bothered with gang disturbances and outdoor roll calls demonstrate the police's determination to maintain good order. About 20 neighbors showed up for the half-hour event.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pride Report
I arrived at the parking lot behind Ann Sather's earlier than most and spent the pre-march time meeting marchers who were there to support their favorite candidate. I marched with the Mike Quigley contingent. It was the perfect opportunity to network with like-minded Democrats and Independents, garnishing yet more names of those interested in my campaign. I may have even found a few more supporters.
The march was under a beautiful, albeit hot, summer sky. Though my feet complained by the time we had walked to Lincoln Park, my soul was soaring with the positive vibes of "Yes, I can."
The march was under a beautiful, albeit hot, summer sky. Though my feet complained by the time we had walked to Lincoln Park, my soul was soaring with the positive vibes of "Yes, I can."
Friday, June 26, 2009
A very hot and summery June 26
There are times when I just have to get away from the monitor and keyboard. This morning was one of them. The weeds among the onions in my garden only added to my frustration and workload so I donned shorts and pulled them up with a sigh of relaxaton and a commitment to stay centered and focused.
The passing of more than a week since my last blog entry gives emphasis to how busy this whirlwind called campaigning can be, especially in light of the fact that there isn't yet any experienced staff with lots of free time to help me on my way to getting out the vote.
Of course the days spent at the Victory Fund training (Thursday to Sunday) were part of the hold-up in posting. I had no Internet connection and little time to write in any case. It was packed full of information and worth every minute of my time.
So what did I learn? Get a staff so I can do the job a candidate needs to do: knock on doors to meet registered voters in my district and raise money. How many voters? There are 14,500 registered voters in the district and I'll need half of those voting in the primary, plus one, in order to win, if indeed it's a two-way race. How much money? Well $250,000 would be nice.
Visit my website to volunteer or contribute.
That brought me to Monday when my first job was to recruit more volunteers and to hire a campaign manager. I've been able to interview several in the past few days but none have yet asked for the job, nor have I had enough information to offer it to any of them. Let's just call it a work in progress.
I also met with Richard K. Means, my election lawyer, on Monday. He's a sharp-witted expert and will obviously be a strong ally.
On Tuesday I caught up on some of the work that had been piled on my desk while I was away. Wednesday was my day to work in the union office (I do that once a week) and afterwards I interviewed an experienced campaign manager. I'm waiting to hear back from him now to schedule a second interview.
Thursday morning I earned some money as a genealogist. I do, after all, have to get some income to survive the summer financially. Then I rushed home and dressed in my best campaign clothes to have my official campaign picture taken.
That brings me to the garden this morning and more reaching out to voters to boost my campaign into higher gear. Tonight will be a bit warm for canvassing but I'll still be out there knocking on doors. Wish me luck.
The passing of more than a week since my last blog entry gives emphasis to how busy this whirlwind called campaigning can be, especially in light of the fact that there isn't yet any experienced staff with lots of free time to help me on my way to getting out the vote.
Of course the days spent at the Victory Fund training (Thursday to Sunday) were part of the hold-up in posting. I had no Internet connection and little time to write in any case. It was packed full of information and worth every minute of my time.
So what did I learn? Get a staff so I can do the job a candidate needs to do: knock on doors to meet registered voters in my district and raise money. How many voters? There are 14,500 registered voters in the district and I'll need half of those voting in the primary, plus one, in order to win, if indeed it's a two-way race. How much money? Well $250,000 would be nice.
Visit my website to volunteer or contribute.
That brought me to Monday when my first job was to recruit more volunteers and to hire a campaign manager. I've been able to interview several in the past few days but none have yet asked for the job, nor have I had enough information to offer it to any of them. Let's just call it a work in progress.
I also met with Richard K. Means, my election lawyer, on Monday. He's a sharp-witted expert and will obviously be a strong ally.
On Tuesday I caught up on some of the work that had been piled on my desk while I was away. Wednesday was my day to work in the union office (I do that once a week) and afterwards I interviewed an experienced campaign manager. I'm waiting to hear back from him now to schedule a second interview.
Thursday morning I earned some money as a genealogist. I do, after all, have to get some income to survive the summer financially. Then I rushed home and dressed in my best campaign clothes to have my official campaign picture taken.
That brings me to the garden this morning and more reaching out to voters to boost my campaign into higher gear. Tonight will be a bit warm for canvassing but I'll still be out there knocking on doors. Wish me luck.
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