As you walk from door to door seeking votes, you can't help but meet many interesting people who are often times more than willing to share their thoughts. This is what I did when I ran for the City Council. It was a prodigious and often times a seemingly daunting experience which I would not trade for anything.
I met community members who I would not otherwise have had the pleasure of meeting and I learned things from them I would not otherwise have learned. I whole heartedly recommend the door to door process to anyone seeking office who truly wants to know what is on the mind of his or her future constituents.
I tried to write down as many of the suggestions and concerns that people wanted remedied and consequently the list became very long. Then I indexed the lists into groups and thought of prioritizing each item in each group. I eventually gave up on this idea since I didn't think it was up to me to place a weighted value on what someone thinks is important.
Well now the fun part starts as I shoulder my responsibility and come up with solutions to all these concerns that were brought to my attention. What's fortunate is I have almost four years to get these things done.
Actually I don't think I do have four years since most people do not want to wait that long. I don't think I would. And besides, I did say I would address these concerns once I got into office.
What sometimes worries me is that I neglected to properly chronicle people's concerns and suggestions. I'm also concerned that I did not get to solicit the thoughts and opinions of those community members that were not found at home on the day I called upon them. I also have a concern that members of our community will not see me again in person until my next bid for election. What to do?
The solution came to me from our great former Mayor, the Honorable Russ Harter who would spend his Sunday afternoons throughout the year meeting any community member who had a question or concern. He did this in front of the library and he did it for many years.
This is a noble tradition I want to continue. Fortunately we have a new City Council Chambers with a meeting room so neither I nor community members will have to brave the elements as Mayor Harter once did.
So, in the coming months I will be availing myself to take questions, issues, concerns or suggestions. The caveat is this; I may not be successful in bringing about an immediate resolution, but I will try.
So I hope to see you and if for any reason you cannot wait until then, please feel free to call me at 650-286-3504 or e-mail me at jkiramis@fostercity.org.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
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