When I was running for office, one of the things that a local blog did (among other things) was a “sign survey”. I think he even predicted the election outcome with it! It was wildly informal and unscientific but fun to talk about. Politics was still very new to me so it was all very cool and exciting.
As I have ridden around the community for the past several weeks on my bike I see three main signs in big numbers: Demeria, Sebesky and Williams. Lately, Moore and Linehan have been coming on strong too but I think the first three have the most.
What does it mean to the election? I haven’t any idea here but in my election the people that had the most signs did the most legwork. I don’t know that this is some sort of universal maxim nor do I know if that factoid has any particular use but it is what I promised you up there in the title: an observation.
Oh, I don’t want anyone griping that I’m doing some sort of stealth campaigning here so in the interest of full disclosure, I would point out that I have endorsed both Pam Sebesky and Tim. I don’t have anything against anyone else but they were the only ones who asked…
April 26, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Why do you support a guy who says he is just a farmer? That’s pretty much what all Tim said during the school board fourm last week.
No wonder he is clueless when it comes to ESL students and the required(or what is not required) spending that is needed for them.
April 26, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I’ve known Tim Dimeria since he was PTO President at Weems Elementary 10 years ago, and he’s been active in supporting young people ever since. How many male PTO/PTA presidents do you know? He was funny then and he’s funny now, and saying “I’m just a farmer” is his self-deprecating humor. His children have graduated and he still wants to serve. I think that’s admirable.
I have had the privilege of meeting and talking with Pam Sebesky, Sanford Williams, Pat Linehan and Regina Moore at two events over the past week. I wish there were enough seats for all of them to serve – I’m impressed with all of them.
I think the best decisions are made when not everybody thinks alike. So I want to look at who is currently on the board, and how each of these candidates will fit into that mix. It won’t be easy to vote — and I have to absentee this week since I’m working the polls next Tuesday.
This is a tough one!
April 26, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Cindy,
It’s not tough at all. Vote for none of them. None of them are looking at ways to cut the school budget, none of them realize we do not have to spend so much on ESL students, etc.
Did you hear a single candidate tell us last Monday night, how they want to save the City money? Did anyone say, we have enough money to work with?
If you think someone who is not interested in saving us money is funny, so be it. Do you also drive your car down the road throwing money out of the window? If not, then why do you support people who waste money that could either go back to us, or used in other areas.
April 26, 2010 at 9:33 pm
My Dad was a farmer for the first 20 years of his life. All of my grandparents were farmers at one point. George Washington was a farmer. All of these people were farmers but also did other things as well and were successful.
Aint nothing wrong with being a farmer.
April 27, 2010 at 6:50 am
There is nothing wrong with being a farmer. However, when you keep confessing you are not exactly educated on many of the issues involving your job, that’s another story.
Tim is no George Washington. To even try to use that comparison is pretty funny though.
April 27, 2010 at 7:11 am
Just as funny as issuing a blanket condemnation of farmers, Tom.
April 27, 2010 at 7:23 am
My husband just laughed at the “throwing money out the window” comment. Wait a second!
April 27, 2010 at 11:18 am
Andy,
I never said anything like that. I just pointed out that is what all he seemed to have said last Monday night.
Cindy,
I love libs like you. Y’all can’t answer a very simple question. I guess we now know where you stand on wasting money.
April 28, 2010 at 6:10 am
Andy, I don’t think signs are a real indicator. I personally chuckle when I see one of Marc’s signs for Council – and none for you and Steve. I just figure it is conserving money….of course, all of you have records to stand on even with no opponents and are known.
I have seen only two signs for School Board here on King Carter Street – even with local or State elections there are more. I also have not seen one single person doing any legwork. No mailings, no position statements, no nothing. No plugs anywhere for their repeat forum tomorrow night.
I too have known Tim from the Weems days, just like CIndy. All our kids wandered those halls together before progressing on. As I recall, we traded family histories once about farmers as my clan goes way way back to Maine as such. My own father joined the Marines so he would not have to be a farmer…LOL…at least, that was Dad’s favorite tag line.
April 28, 2010 at 6:56 am
I am putting out signs but Marc got the earliest start. Havent seen a Randolph sign yet…;)
April 28, 2010 at 7:53 am
My grandfathers were both farmers, one in the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma (then Oregon) and the other ran a dairy farm in Nebraska.
I’d love to know how much clout interactive Facebook campaigning has vs. low-tech lawn signs.
April 28, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Speaking of farmers….
Since everyone seems to want to compare the City to other local jurisdictions, why does the City not have a community garden for those of us that would like to have a garden, but do not have enough land for one?
I know that Arlington, has such a program. In fact when we lived in Arlington, we participated in the program. Our little garden was along South Four Mile Run drive.
Surely there has to be some land out by the Airport that could be used for such a program.
April 29, 2010 at 10:55 am
Dang, citizen, you missed it! The mother of community gardens, Linda Proffitt, flew in from Indianapolis to observe our national pilot 1 By Youth project at Georgetown South last Saturday. I could have introduced you!
Great photos of Linda’s renowned community gardens at http://www.globalpeaceinitiatives.net.
Linda is leading the 1 By Youth Indianapolis project that is unfolding this Saturday, May 1, in a depressed urban neighborhood there. Part of her plans are cleaning up two parks and adding community gardens.
If you have the experience in gardening please talk to Christie Strader, the new community manager in Georgetown South. She has a whole rolled up map of gardening and landscaping plans, including community gardens on the 22 acres of greens there — all within walking distance of Historic Manassas, not where you have to drive out to the airport.
But she can’t do it without help. She’s only one person. She could use your expertise. Gardening is a great “common ground” for getting residents out and doing things to improve their own community. Christie also made some other connections Saturday — people who live in GTS who have green thumbs and would probably be part of your team. Great idea!
April 29, 2010 at 10:56 am
Don’t miss the school board candidates’ forum tonight at 7 pm at City Hall. It’s supposed to be televised, too on local cable.
April 29, 2010 at 11:48 am
Sorry, as Andy points out, it will not be televised.
April 29, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Cindy,
I’m not interesting in having a farm where the fruits of my labor will be taken by others. One of our neighbors has a number of fruit trees in their yard. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen others help themselves to the harvest. And not to sterotype, but everytime I’ve seen someone help themselves to my neighbors trees, they look like the typical GTS resident.
April 29, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Cindy,
I’m not interesting in having a farm where the fruits of my labor will be taken by others. One of our neighbors has a number of fruit trees in their yard. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen others help themselves to the harvest. And not to sterotype, but everytime I’ve seen someone help themselves to my neighbors trees, they look like the typical GTS resident.
At least if it’s in the area of the airport, people would have to take the time to drive there and steal, which would rule out most lazy people.