Before I was involved in politics, I presumed that people who are involved in public life just liked to be in a position of power. I figured that there might also be a couple of other reasons but it was my belief that power was an important factor. When I talked to elected officials about why they ran for office it was normally a variation on the “make a difference” or “get things done” theme.
It is at least somewhat ironic (although it didn’t occur to me at the time) that this is one of the reasons that I gave when I ran for office. I’ve only been on the Council for 18 months or so but I still do believe in that reason and that answer. Some are not swayed by my answer and think that it must be really cool and/or glamorous to be on council. Having been around a little more than a year I can tell you with certainty that there is very little glamorous about being on Council. It is a tremendous amount of work (I average about 15 hours a week – mostly at night) and requires endless meetings, research, writing, contemplation and thought – all otherwise known as time. The only time that it is really “cool” is when you can get something done or help someone out.
In any event, after my short experience I think my answer has changed at least somewhat to become more nuanced. There are now two halves to the answer:
1. I like being on Council because I believe that I’m making a difference. I want to make Manassas a better place and I’m prepared to commit the time to get it done. I know, deep down, that the day I believe that I fail to make a difference is the day I quit.
2. I like politics (which isn’t the same thing at all) because it is different almost every day. This also makes it infuriating but overall the landscape changes with each sunrise and it is a challenge.
The two halves are forever intertwined but it is possible to consider them seperately. And Tudor Hall, I know, you believe that I’ve been around too long already.
September 12, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Andy, I think you are doing a great job. I wouldn’t have voted for you if I didn’t think you could do it!
September 12, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Somewhat off topic, but germane to the challenge of governing
is how often information gets twisted in the local media – no one
expects them to be our PR department but objective, fair and
balanced reporting and editing would be appreciated.
One example: WaPo’s article this morning on the Manassas Park
Latino event being cancelled and PWC not even planning one for Hispanic
Heritage Month. Deep in the article, the piece noted Manassas
has a Latino Festival festival planned for the Harris Pavillion in Old Town
on Sept. 23 that WILL take place. When I went to the POST web
site this afternoon, any mention of the Manassas event was deleted.
September 12, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Am I paranoid or am I seeing again WaPo’s “custom and practice”
of putting this area in the worst possible light? It seems at least
some of their key writers/editors see all of us as bigoted
KKK loving rednecks and don’t want to be confused by any
facts that might present a different perspective.