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The voters of Oro Valley have spoken and I lost my bid for a seat on Council. Many of you know that I am new to Oro Valley politics. What completely surprised me during my candidacy was how divided this Town is. I was surprised by how many people were against me because of a perception I was on one side, without knowing anything about me. Equally surprising was that some would support me because I was thought to be on one side, without ever really knowing my position on any important issues. In no small measure, I found myself disheartened by the process. What I came to know is that I was not on any one side. I only wanted to serve the best interests of the Town as an independent candidate. That proved not to be a recipe for success. I accept that. I know that I could have, and should have, done a much better job as a candidate.
Too late in the process, I realized that I needed to reach out to “the other side.” While I consider Mary, Lou, Joe and Satish friends, and will not disavow those friendships, I needed to make an effort to bridge the divide in our Town. The key to bridging that divide had to be communication. What then occurred surprised me. I rapidly developed new friendships with Bill, Mike, Conny and Richard. I found myself talking with them a lot and enjoying a blossoming cooperation that I did not imagine would happen. We were able to communicate about Town issues. I found them ready to listen. When we disagreed, we did so in a positive manner. I spent the last several weeks of the campaign talking with Mike, Conny and Richard almost exclusively. Understandably, I think I lost some of my original base of support due to this new approach. It became more important to me to do what I thought was right and likely lose the election, than to be a part of the divide that separates us. Some of you may be saying, too little, too late. You are right.
Richard, who I consider now a friend, has agreed to let me post a series of Guest Views over the next five Mondays. I will be discussing some important topics and will perhaps give you a different view on issues. I am not desirous of being like Don Cox. I like Don a great deal, but his goal was to be somewhat entertaining. I want to engage this group. I have an idealistic vision that maybe we can bridge the divide that separates our Town. Maybe we can all learn to understand and respect each other just a little bit more. We should know that no group or individual is all right, all wrong, all good or all bad. I am fully aware this path may doom my future in Oro Valley politics. So be it. This approach is what is in the best interests of a positive future for our Town. That is what we all profess to care about.
Future Topics:
A Community Divided Cannot Thrive
They Work for You: The Role of a Council Member
A Police Study: What it is and Why it Should be Done
The Police Department Budget
TREO and MTCVB
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