Middle America's Worldview

I have always heard and been told "It's not what but who you know that will get you places". You hear it, but you never truly understand it, till you experience it. I am experiencing it now.

I am running for School Board in my town. This is my 3rd attempt and hopefully my successfull one. In the past two, I came up some well known, experience opponents. I ranked pretty darn close behind them. This is quite a feat considering I was not born in this town. Those in the city cannot appreciate small town mentality. Basically everyone knows everyone else. If you cannot quote your geneaology from at least 3 generations back, then your pretty much a new kid in town. Change is hard to folks in these parts. When someone else comes in and makes those changes, it's hard for the others to acquire a taste for it. Whether that change is for the better or worse.

I been knocking on a lot of doors this week and last. It is amazing how many actual houses are built on one street. Take Morris Street for an example. I parked my vehicle on one end and hit 3 houses at the corner before making my way down one side, to follow up on the other. By the time I made it at the end (speaking to some people that happen to be home, listening to others gripe about what was going on in town ((nothing to do with the school))) I could only think I have the walk back up it again. Toward the end, and close to the car, I was looking forward to the bottle of water waiting for me. I counted my flyers and see I had passed nearly 70 out to that street alone. I hit every house offered. Some had dogs and fences in the front as opposed to their back yard.

In my car I stopped at the Police Department to give them a couple of flyers as well. Another feeling that I should. As I passed it to the guy in front, a lady came in from the back and asked what it was. I passed it to her readily enough as well. She took a look at it and said she "needed to talk to this guy". I replied what do you want to talk about? She got this goofy looking grin on her face and asked if I was the same. "Yes, what can I answer for you?" "Nothing, everyone asking do you know (my name), I keep saying I haven't never met the man nor know him". Thinking this is my chance to give some meaningfull answers to her great questions, I asked her does she want to know about me. "Nothing, just wondered who you was". Hmm, ok. "I appreciate if you get out and vote for me, it's next Tuesday". She only replied with that goofy grin, like she was looking at a rock singer.

As I jumped in my van, another police officer had came out asking if I was the same. "Yes". It was my opponent. I never seen nor met the man before. I was told by others, he wouldn't even campaign. Only wanted the position for name recognition. He was younger than I pictured him in my mind. So this was the one everyone knows, as opposed to no-one knowing me. We spoke friendly enough and shook hands wishing each other luck. Now I know who I am up against.

There are 5 members making up the school board. I know of 3 pushing for me, 2 of the 3 hard. The other two, I doubt they are. I heard, by more than one person, they are yes people. Those that do whatever floats the admins boat. I now the administration of our school do not want me to be on the board. Most likely due to the fact, the don't know me. So they don't know what I will do.

As the time dwindles down for the vote, I have been speaking to one of the board members helping me out. He continues telling me, he is speaking to people about me, but most say, "I don't know him". It is interesting a lot of them simply ask him, who should I vote for? I received some specific people to call. The names were given to me by some that would like me to be in. I called them, most would answer, "I spoke to (board member) and they spoke highly of you. I will be voting for you". It wasn't any answers to their questions, nor some new found knowledge or insight I could bring to the community. It was a nod from another person.

Yes, it's not what but who you know. I hope this time around, I know enough people to get me on the board.