Announcing my candidacy for Council Member Ward 3 City of O’Fallon Mo.
Updated: Oct 21, 2018
My Campaign Kick-off was on Oct 2, 2018. We had sixty (60) in attendance. I was
touched and honored to see so many I admire. I have learned from them all over the
years and I will always value their advice and counsel.
Mrs. Kara Klette opened the evening by singing God Bless America.
We followed with the Pledge Of Allegiance.
I want to share some of the remarks I made during my presentation.
Many decades ago I raised my right hand, and took the USAF Oath of Office as
a Commissioned Officer. That Oath continues to have deep meaning to me. It
seared into me a message and certain characteristics - these are my core
values.
The message imbedded in this Oath is expressed in the Air Force Doctrine
which is:
"The Oath signifies commitment, accepting responsibility for your actions,
integrity first because without integrity the moral pillar of our core values is
lost, and Service Before Self. It signifies that your word is your bond, that
you promise to give it your all, and Excellence in all you do, and finally it ends
with a call to a higher being or divine agency to assist with ensuring your own
integrity and honesty."
“Service Before Self”.
In 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt gave a 35 page speech titled
Citizenship in a Republic. In that speech, there was a powerful
passage referred to as: “The Man In the Arena”. Its message is also one of
Service Before Self.
The Oath I took many decades ago, along with the inspiration from the above
referenced passage, are the fundamentals that instilled the confidence to
announce my candidacy for Council Member Ward 3 City of O’Fallon Mo. I want
to be your “Man In the Arena”. I want to continue to serve and I want to
continue to get better at it. Many here know what its like to be the “Man in the
Arena”. You know what its like to be marred by dust and sweat, and blood.
The Democratic Process needs us - it is messy at times, it isn’t always perfect
(but we are not perfect people). The citizen is the critical component in the
democratic process. Winston Churchill once said:
“...at the bottom of all the tributes paid to democracy is the little man, walking
into the little booth, with a little pencil, making a little cross, on a little bit of
paper.”
The views, opinions, and concerns of our citizens must be heard and acted on.
The views, opinions, and concerns of those who are investing in our City, and
building the future of our city must be heard and acted on. I will listen to all
parties with an open mind, evaluate economic proposals without bias, search for
smart innovation, pursue (significant & substantial benefits) for both the City and
residents, do my homework, and get informed.
Our residents don’t expect perfection, but they do expect honesty, commitment,
responsiveness, and a Council Member to be their advocate, to be visible, and
available.
Let me introduce another special guest - my GREEN BICYCLE. Many miles of
visiting, listening, talking to residents of Ward 3 AND MAKING MYSELF VISIBLE
& AVAILABLE.
What do I hear?
I hear, among other things, the need for traffic safety, traffic calming, less
congestion, more commercial amenities, streets/curbs/sidewalks maintained,
more bicycle/walkable trails, and pedestrian safety,
Another critical component in the democratic process is the simple question:
What is the right thing to do?
What is in the best interests of our citizens and for the sustainability of our great City of O’Fallon?
I promise to you, that I will search hard for the Right Thing To Do.
I promise to you, that I will emphasize Governance Over Politics.
In conclusion, attendees were asked to complete a form and identify their top
priorities/concerns for 2019, 2020, 2021.
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