There are a couple of stories worth sharing.
Walking Williams Twsp. - Where I live is a place of hills: Gaffney Hill, Morgan Hill, Bougher Hill, etc. There are clumps of development separated by trees and fields, steep slopes and dangerous curves. Many houses are set far back from the road. This is not the most efficient place to go knocking on doors, but it is also any area that receives a lot of unsolicited telephone calls so while knocking of doors is difficult, it is also much more effective. But it's not that simple. Voting lists don't take geography into account - and the one I received wasn't even sorted by address. So I am looking at my community in a new way. What makes sense for walking? Where shouldn't even the cautious pedestrian go? Where do you park? There are 4 voting districts in the Township. I'm starting with my own and then will go to others based on population density - more than 1/4 mile between houses doesn't make sense. In the end it will still be challenging, but for those who know how to walk on country roads it should be rewarding. When you have walked up a long driveway, the person answering the door will give you respect as well as attention, even if they were planning to vote for someone else.
Glendon - Part 1. Glendon was once a thriving iron town. The hearths are long gone, replaced by a park. The canal is now on the otherside of a busy 2-lane road and an active rail line. The core of what remains are a serious of narrow streets and "Borough Hall" which was originally a two-room school. Doors were not being answered, but I met the Borough Treasurer who told me that many of her neighbors didn't want to register because it would mean that they might be called for jury duty and they could not afford to take time off from work. She also told me that the Borough was holding an Easter Egg Hunt that afternoon and it would be an opportunity to meet the community. I came back and was introduced, agreeing to stay through the program and to be available for those who wanted to see me. There were some expressions of interest, so I stayed. They had a magician, then those 5 and under went out to hunt for Easter Eggs while the older kids had refreshments. Then everyone came back in, the eggs were hidden, and the older kids had their turn. There was also a raffle and an Easter bunny who handed out presents. This is a poor community that has difficulty finding people to serve in local government. It is on the list of local governments that should seriously consider merging, but they had 40 people and lots of enthusiasm for this party which, from what I could tell, was for the local residents and their families.
Part 2. I went back to Glendon after work on the 24th because I knew that there was a young mother there who got home from work at 4. I also had found a safe parking area so that I could avoid some dangerous walking. Unfortunately the house I wanted was not in that section, but I recalled knocking on one door and decided to try it again. The man who answered was the person I needed to see, but he wasn't too keen about my proposal. He is a gun owner (including an AK-47) and doesn't trust Democrats. I told him how Barack Obama solves problems by bringing people together and listening, how he is very different from any previous political leader, and how he was being financed by lots of small donations rather than Washington lobbyists. I began to feel that I was wasting my time, when he said, "Yeah, I guess I'd better do this." And filled out the form. He then introduced himself and asked my name, and I felt there was a connection. We parted as friends.
I did find the house I was looking for. The mother was holding an infant and there was a toddler behind her. She held the baby and filled out the form. Good folk. I'm glad that I went back.
This is my first blog. Past attempts to participate in this medium have not been encouraging - I really don't have time for these - but I have been urged to try again, so here I am.
My interest/awareness of public affairs goes back more than 50 years and I've been working for change for 45 years. I've marched and vigiled, picketed and written letters, knocked on doors and given money. I've also raised 2 children who are now responsible, productive adults.
I wasn't aware of this until I heard Barack Obama calling for change and expressing the values that I tried to teach my children. Supporting someone younger than myself took some reflection: I'm no longer part of "the rising generation". Though I feel that I've finally got my feet on the ground and am comfortable with the term "responsible adult" - ready to lead - and can easily identify with Hillary R. Clinton's sense of preparedness, this would not be appropriate. The battles I've fought (and have yet to win) have divided the country and poisoned the land. There is no end in sight. But wait. The world has changed, the country has changed; my children are much more capable than I was at their age. In them is my most significant accomplishment, and now that one of them is ready to lead, it is time for me to step out of the way and provide my support.
