Times Have Definitely Changed...

 Today I filled out my ballot, sealed the envelope, and set it on the kitchen table. It's election day and things have definitely changed. In fact, in our little town, there's no open polls or polling station, so for us the only way to actually vote is...

Through the mail.

I'm not a political junkie--I mean, the subject interests me, but it also disgusts me. I want to participate in the process and so I vote. It's an "off year" so the choices for our little town are few. We voted anyway. And I think we're pulling for the underdogs so they probably won't make it. We're relatively new to the area so I don't know the stories behind the names, the histories the locals know.

Even though I complained about long lines at the voting stations in the past, I actually enjoyed seeing neighbors, talking to them, catching up. There was also an excitement in the room, a feeling like the actions had weight, that they mattered. 

I wonder if I'll ever feel that again.

Now, we drop off our ballots in a box whenever we went. We can vote days, weeks in advance all in the name of convenience. We've given up a lot for convenience.

I've long ago given up on some aspects of the political machine. It seems people don't or won't change, which frustrates me, because not enough people think the way I do. Then again, who's to say I'm always right?

Exactly.

We voted this year. I hope to be able to vote next time, too...

No matter how many changes occur between now and then.

Bryce Davidson...Support Your Local Mayor

 I lifted this picture from a friend's Facebook post. We no longer live in the town in which our friend and former neighbor is running for mayor so we don't see the yard signs or the fliers or the messages posted around town.

I've got to say, my friend has guts.

It's a job I would not want...at all.

It was on one of our return trips to our old neighborhood and everyone seemed to be outside doing things. It was so much fun catching up and seeing how everyone was doing, even though we'd only been gone about six months at that point. It was then we learned of our neighbor's plans. Ambitious, challenging, and maybe a little nuts.

I haven't had a lot of experience with local government, and the little we did have centered around developing our family land. It took years and so many city counsel meetings to see it finally come to pass...so many. It turned me off to ever wanting to run for local office or get involved in that way. The process was, at times, nauseating. It makes my friend and his family's decision that much more impressive.

Bryce is a good man. This alone shouldn't be his only qualification, but anyone who enters public service should begin there. He's not been on city counsels or other local counsels before. For many, this is a huge plus. For others--a huge negative. But, as I see it, if you drink from the same pool, you'll get the same product. If you like the product, then why would you change? If you don't, well...it's time for a change. If you'd like to know more about Bryce, you can access his information by clicking: HERE.

We no longer live in the city limits, but so many of our friends do. It matters to them, so it inadvertently matters to us. I hope--win or lose--it doesn't change him or his family. Knowing him, I don't think it will, which is the mark of a quality candidate.