FINDING COMMUNITY IN POLITICS


The dictionary defines the word “community” as “people with a common interest living in a particular area.” It also says that a community is a place where people work for the common good. So how does the political process aid in building a strong community?

Many have found that political campaigns sometime divide a community along Party lines. I guess this can be true if the campaigns focus on personalities and not the importance of the issues.

We all have watched as political foes have attacked everything about their opponents from their youthful indiscretions, to how much they pay for a haircut. For the record I spend no money on hair cuts any longer, the good Lord took care of that.

In major campaigns there are actually people hired for the primary purpose of finding the personal flaws of other candidates. Remember the 2000 Presidential election when just weeks before the election it was revealed that George W. Bush had a DUI record in his younger days. Trust me the timing of that hitting the press was no accident. Who can forget Gary Hart and the pictures revealed on his boat? Pictures that took a JFK type front-runner and, put him watching the election night results sitting in his pajama’s, sipping hot cocoa.

So how can a town, such as Enfield, become a stronger community in the middle of the political arena? How can the heat of a campaign actually draw us together and not cause lines of division?

First, people running for office should have a deeper concern for their community then their own personal ambitions. When a candidate is only motivated by self-advancement they will place their success over the success of the people they serve. What we need today are people who count being an elected official as a humbling experience and awesome responsibility.

Second, candidates should show respect for their opponents. In Enfield, this November, we will go to polls and elect people to Town Council and Board of Education. Those of us that are running need to remind ourselves that, although we are in different political parties, we all have the welfare of our community in mind. We ought to celebrate diversity of ideals, because through debate and dialog the best ideas usually win out.

Third, candidates should run on ideas and keep them the focus of the campaign. Ideas and, issues that answer questions of how we can improve the life of every citizen in the town of Enfield. We that are seeking office should listen first to the people, and then develop plans to address the communities concerns. I will remind all of us that intellect and wisdom is not reserved for one political party or the other. Yes, I am a Republican and proud to be. However, if elected this November to the Board of Education I will promise that I will put the best ideas forward, no matter where they come from.

Last, candidates should have fun running for office and not take themselves too seriously. I have seen people on the campaign trail act as if they were at are war and had a “take no prisoner” attitude. I have seen candidates stress levels go through the roof and wear their emotions on their sleeves. I have seen losing candidates give angry defeat speeches and winning candidates act like it was expected with a tone of arrogance.

The fact is we as candidates run to win. Nevertheless, in reality someone will win and someone will lose. Either way the world will still go on the next day. The town will still have the same challenges. Life will still exist as it did the day before the election.

The most important part of running for office is to put the community interest before personal gain. Building “community” means elected officials should keep in mind that they are in the customer service business and the taxpayers are our customers.

Okay, you probably have caught on that I am running for the Board of Education. I hope the principles I have laid out encourages you to give me your consideration this November, along with the great people running with me on the Republican slate.