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kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 513
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 1:11 pm: | 
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When the Democratic Primary contest was started, I told myself (and several other people) I wasn't going to post anything on MOL about it simply because I already knew I was not going to be supporting Ken Pettis for re-election (I've never supported Kathy), and I have genuinely enjoyed many social occasions with Ken and his wife, so I just didn't feel like saying anything.
But in the past two weeks I've had a chance to find out who Nancy Shippy and Lester Powder-Powell are and I have to truthfully say that even if I were not very disappointed in the incumbents, and even despite my personal relationship with Ken, I would be voting for new leadership for all of us.
Nancy Shippy has absolutely to-die-for qualifications to be on the TC at the present moment. She has not only keen and deep professional knowledge of development and re-development issues, she has first hand, longstanding knowledge of these issues in Maplewood and right on Springfield Avenue. If you listened to the debates, you saw that Nancy is COMPLETELY NON-ideological about development issues and cheerfully and maturely independent of the local factions that divide the town. Where she agreed with what Fred had done, she said so out loud. Where she disagreed, likewise. She LIVES open government. If we as a town went out searching for such a person with such qualifications to hire, we'd probably think we were kidding ourselves that such a person could be found. I'm not exaggerating. If you are serious about moving forward intelligently with redevelopment on Springfield Avenue and elsewhere in Maplewood in a way that will benefit you as a homeowner and community resident, Nancy Shippy has experience that is invaluable. And she is bright and sunny. I don't think self-pity is in her nature.
Lester Powder-Powell is sharp and likes people, and he obviously likes public service. I am deeply impressed that on his own initiative, and with imagination and creativity, he decided to take on some of the very toughest challenges communities face in an era when government services are under assault. He has created new programs to deliver services to seniors and to help youth succeed and stay out of trouble with the Safe Passages Foundation. To do what he accomplished takes independent initiative and a wide sense of responsibility. I simply like the fact that when faced with an impossible task, Lester Powder-Powell has a resume that shows he didn't think it was impossible and actually made a difference for the betterment of everybody in the community.
Democrats in Maplewood are a varied bunch, but these two Democrats are unquestionably people who want to protect the interests of the residents of Maplewood and make this a better community for everybody who lives here. They are clear-headed and beholden to no one. I am glad and grateful to have two such people offering their services and I dearly hope many other Democrats will join me in voting for their nomination to the TC. |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4739
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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"Lester Powder-Powell"...wow, your guy sounds great. Are you writing him in? |
Aquaman
Supporter
Username: Aquaman
Post Number: 927
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 1:38 pm: |
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Dearest Kathleen,
Pssst...it's Nancy Adams.
Thankey,
Dr. A. Curry, Esq. |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 6436
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 2:04 pm: |
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Got both names wrong. Must have really made an impression on ya!
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kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 518
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
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Proof of the utility of lawn signs for somebody like me who mangles everybody's names all the time. My apologies to Lester Lewis-Powder, but I think it is a more trivial mistake than some others being discussed on the board, and think voters know it.
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ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4740
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 2:27 pm: |
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Nice dodge, but no score. And what about Nancy? You used her divorced name. You're as bad as Aquaman! |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 520
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 2:33 pm: |
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I don't think this is dodgeball or a game, ffof. And that's why you can't let it go. Funny thing is, you'd be better off if they both won. |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4742
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 2:37 pm: |
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I don't this is either. What? AHs hapy hour srted so sooon? |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 521
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 2:41 pm: |
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No, I don't drink while I post, if that's your insinuation. But I'll go back and correct it. Who is AH?
Why complain about trash campaigning, ffof, when you do little else but toss it about yourself? A positive campaign post really bothers you that much? |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 4744
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 3:01 pm: |
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It's all in FUN, k. But maybe you still can't get over that you equated Lester with our former Sec of State. It's just too funny to pass by. |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 526
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 3:22 pm: |
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I did? Is that what's going on in your head? Now I'm tempted to ask if you've -- never mind. Probably just the falling barometer.
My bad writing aside, I stand by my remarks as to why I think Nancy and Lester would bring more to the TC table, and Maplewood could really use their talents and experience right now. They are also willing to work politically for property tax reform, and it is criticial that we have a team of people on our side as that battle unfolds in Trenton. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 7538
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 7:56 pm: |
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Kathleen:
Since you are endorsing these candidates, I am sure you are familiar with their positions on the issues. Could you please tell me what Nancy's positions are on non-redevelopment issues and what Lester's positions are on just about anything? None of the campaign literature or debate statements I have come across for either candidate states this.
Thank you. |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 532
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 8:20 pm: |
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Joan,
If you couldn't hear the televised debate, perhaps you could ask for a transcript. Nancy talked about the need for youth services, for just one example, as well her reocrd of working with all political factions in town. While I was at the train station the other day, I was handed a flyer from Lester and Nancy that spoke of their enthusiasm to work for statewide property tax reform.
Lester gave expansive answers to every single question asked of him at the debate and took clear and substantive positions on how to handle the rising crime problem, youth issues, senior citizen housing and the need for expertise in redevelopment -- all of which distinguished him from the incumbents.
Both Nancy and Lester included e-mail features on their website where you could e-mail them directly, not just "info@" their campaign headquarters. I'll also add that only Nancy and Lester have addressed Democrats directly in their printed campaign material and on their website. Ken's and Kathy's contain no personal remarks from them, or the never say in their own voices why they are asking for our votes. I was particularly put off by early remarks from Kathy and final remarks from Ken in the News-Record that dismissed challenges to their re-election as only comint from people motivated by personal ambition or animus agaisnt them or political chicanery. Nancy and Lester obviously -- long before they ever heard of Ken and Kathy -- have expended terrific energy in public service and shown demonstrable success in bucking the trends that cause towns like Maplewood to go under. They believe in property tax reform, they believe in preserving community character and they believe in delivering government services to people who need government services -- young and old -- to keep communities and families stable.
That's a substantive difference from what the incumbents have worked for and acheived.
I admit I'm somewhat baffled by your post. I had no trouble hearing and learning in the last week or so what you are claiming hasn't been said in public, in the debates or available in the literature to people going beyond MOL or genuinely interested in what someone new has to say -- although neither of them are really new. Nancy has been working in Maplewood for a long time and Lester Lewis-Powder ran for county office last year (against the Sharpe James machine.)
You're welcome.
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