The Kindness of Strangers

What compels a person to contribute financially to the campaign of a virtually unknown candidate for public office? If we eliminate friends and relatives, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone else with prior ties to the candidate, I think that it is safe to say that all that remains as explanation is the kindness of strangers.

There is a strong sense of obligation that comes with accepting such a gift, for a gift it truly is. The gift is trust and good faith, not just money, and it obligates the recipient to be a better person. Being a better person seems at odds with running for public office, so the gift is really a reminder that the responsibilities of public office demand continuous improvement, both personally and professionally. The standards of such a gift are very high. Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers.

Who Needs a Plan?

When I go grocery shopping, I take a list. If I do not take a list, I waste a lot of time wandering the grocery aisles in search of inspiration, and arrive home with groceries that bear no resemblance to the items that I truly need. Similarly, when I go on vacation, I go with a plan. I research areas of interest ahead of time, and make advance lodging and travel reservations. I do not choose to waste my family's precious free time by hoping for available hotels and activities whenever I arrive at my destination. I freely admit it...I am a more efficient and productive person when I have a plan.

Having a plan for our community here in Whitewater Township allows us to be more efficient and productive in our decisions, too. An existing plan focuses the Township Board in achieving the joint goals of the community. Without a plan, each decision made by the Board takes more and more time to make, and, perhaps, even discourages future decision-making. Ineffective decision-making is costly and creates ill will. Clearly, any form of government benefits enormously from a well-made plan.

Campaign Trail

I had my first campaigning experience this week (other than asking everyone I know to vote for me on August 5!). I printed the opening page of my blog, and walked it around to a small neighborhood not far from my home. I knocked on about 30 doors, and spoke with only a handful of people, probably because most were still at work.

It was a humbling experience to talk about myself to strangers. It was also an exceedingly brief experience, since most people were willing to spare about 30 seconds for my sales pitch. I can't say that I'm surprised about this, but I don't know any other way to get acquainted with the residents of Whitewater Township. I do know that getting out in the community is a valuable learning opportunity, and that's enough motivation to keep up the effort.

Deputy Treasurer

It has been a terrific bonus to be the deputy treasurer of Whitewater Township, prior to running for the office of treasurer. I have been through the winter 2007 tax collection cycle, and will be in the midst of the summer 2008 tax season by the August 5 primary election. Since the role of tax collection agent is the priority of the treasurer, the experience of participating in a full year of property tax collections is vital to the success of the person in office.

I have written a brief how-to manual for our township's tax cycle, which I hope to polish this summer as the tax season progresses. It is amazing how many steps are involved in correctly and lawfully collecting, documenting and distributing property tax dollars.

I am also creating a master calendar for all of the township's cash receipts, as cash management is another priority of the treasurer. This calendar should assist the treasurer in planning for cash inflows throughout the year.

Board Meeting

I attended the May board meeting last week, and it was eye-opening. The board, consisting of supervisor, treasurer, clerk, and trustees (2), was accompanied by the Whitewater Township attorneys, which isn't the norm. I think that the presence of the attorneys is in response to the continuing litigation surrounding special road assessments from several years ago.

The meeting lasted over two hours, one full hour of which was devoted to the sales pitches of two insurance firms, competing for the Township's business. The firms, which are primarily one-agent offices, gave 15-minute and 45-minute pleas, respectively. Most poignant was the 45-minute agent, the Township's current provider, who almost shed a tear as he gave his impassioned speech. I wonder if all the service providers are required to give their pitches during a public meeting, and, if it would be possible to hold them all to a shorter time frame.

There was a short discussion about the work of the Planning Commission, a body that exists to support the Board in preparing and recommending changes to the Township's Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Board is conflicted about allowing the Planning Commission to complete its Master Plan recommendations, but finally agreed to wait for the finished product to be presented. Since the Planning Commission is composed of persons appointed by the Board, I cannot imagine that the task of finding potential new Commission members would be an easy one, if the Board decides to take back the work that it initially entrusted to them.

Rural Character

"The Whitewater Township Board will strive to maintain the rural character of our community..."(the first part of the Whitewater Township mission statement).

Whitewater Township is shaped like the state of Idaho, and its approximately 46 square miles are split from east to west by M-72, a large Michigan highway. The township area south of M-72 is quite heavily wooded, while the area to the north is more agricultural. Elk Lake Road runs north from M-72 to the top of the township boundary, and it is a beautiful, scenic road at any time of year. As Mother's Day approaches, the cherry trees are beginning to blossom, and bee hives can be seen in many orchards. However, the danger of overnight frost still lingers, and it makes the orchards seem fragile. The orchards are fragile, susceptible to fickle weather, pollination, disease and conversion to subdivisions. Without the orchards and farms, the rural character of Whitewater Township would truly be questionnable.

Paperwork

In my small northern Michigan township, paperwork is the first hurdle to becoming a candidate for local office. I present myself to the township clerk for an election packet, which consists of the following:

Cover page
Fact page, outlining filing requirements and deadlines ("Fact Page")
Summary of Michigan's Campaign Finance Act
Pamphlet, describing valid and invalid signatures on petitions
Affidavit Of Identity And Receipt Of Filing ("Affidavit")
Township Nominating And Qualifying Petition ("Petition")
Statement Of Organization Form For Candidate Committees ("Statement")

I begin with the Affidavit, the purpose of which is candidate identification. Sections I and II are simple (basic residency information), but do require a quick reference to the Fact Page (thanks, clerk!). Section III stops my progress, because it asks for the number of signatures on my Petition, and I haven't got any yet. Since Section IV requires the services of a notary public to certify the Affidavit, I set this document aside, and take up the Petition.

The purpose of the Petition appears to be community involvement. The Petition must be signed by between 3 and 10 registered voters from my township (again, this from the Fact Page), so I dutifully troop around the neighborhood, receiving 7 signatures. I fill in the number 7 in Section III of the Affidavit, and move on to the Statement.

The Statement is an exercise in hilarity, as its purpose is to establish a finance committee to support my election campaign. Hilarious because I am the committee's sole member, and I currently have no funding! Nevertheless, I fill in my name and address repeatedly in the sections for committee candidate, committee treasurer and committee record-keeper.

I return to the township clerk with my Affidavit, Petition and Statement in hand. The clerk reviews all three forms, then notarizes the Affidavit and certifies the Petition. I am now an official candidate. My final paperwork journey takes me to the county clerk's office, where I file the Statement, and take a deep breath.