I forgot to put the right time on the post...
Well, I did the tree week because I was running as a write-in for Alderman in my St. Louis suburb. Did I win? Nope. Write-ins don't have much of a chance most of the time. But our two anti-book-banning school board candidates won. So that turned out out good.
I can't remember if I've mentioned this before on here, but I've been in politics for a little bit since I retired. I ran for alderman 12 years ago and won. I ran for Mayor and won. (then people found out I'm more liberal than conservative) I reran for Mayor and lost. Then I reran for Alderman and lost. This area is very conservative in general.
Then I was resting for a while when a person ran for Mayor and won that I knew. I got appointed to the Planning and Zoning commission. I've been on that for 6 years now. I like it there. No phone calls from irritated constituents. But we still have the NIMBYs come to the P&Z meeting and holler about projects that might happen near their house.
The best NIMBY story was from my time as Mayor. A 1/2 cent sales tax had been passed with part of the proceeds going to flood mitigation in the small streams that go through people's properties. They went from "fix the flooding problem!" to "Not on my property! Fix it somewhere else so I'm not affected!"
Most of the projects were dropped because no one would cooperate.
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12 comments:
Good for you, Mike, for at least trying to make a difference. Politics is a thankless job.
Deb - It's challenging for sure.
If I ever get into politics I'll probably wind up in jail for assaulting some heckling moron, or from abusing political power to get even with someone.
Good for you. Politics is a step too far for me. I am thrilled that the anti-book banners won.
Your worldwise cynicism is well-earned! Hey, thanks for serving!
John - You definitely have to prepare yourself to be hollered at.
Sue - Maybe I'll tell some more stories later.
Cloudia - Sometimes it's fun. Sometimes not.
Good for you! Right after I got married I ran for alderman in the very small city we lived in. Did not win. Years later I ran for the school board at the parochial school my children went to. Won and did a term. Since then I've had no desire to dabble in politics.
Kathy - At least I get to keep my P&Z position, I hope.
Wow how frustrating but I am glad to hear your choice for school board candidates won.
Lady - Politics is frustrating for normal people.
At the local level I believe politics is much more likely to be populated by those who truly want to make a positive difference in people's lives. Good for you for putting yourself out there. And I'm glad the anti-book-banners won their spots on the school board.
Yeah, everybody wants change and no one wants to put up with it affecting them :)
Jenny - affecting them... exactly.
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