Sasha Speak's
On The Campaign Trail
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-20-10 12:40 PM
Well, it was day after the election and time to take a much needed rest. The first thing I got to do that I haven't in quite awhile, I slept in. Yes, it was a much needed and deserved luxury. I enjoyed every minute of it, even if I could only remember a few dream fragments. Then it was up and at it, as time waits for no man, or woman. There were signs to take down. Funny thing, as I reflect upon that for a moment. It took me five days, over two weeks and many many (wo)man hours to design the signs, make them up, put them up in strategic places and then check on them regularly for wind damage, disappearance, vandalism, and just to see if they were still where I have put them. Some had even mysteriously moved up to a whole block from where they had been initially placed. Weird!?! Then, sadly, it took my son and I only 3 hours to take them down. I say sadly, because it reminded me of what was not to be. But I do not begrudge any single moment of my running for council. I enjoyed every thing about it. Even the long hours and lack of sleep. Why?? Because I got to meet many new faces and get reacquainted with many other's. If I missed meeting you, it wasn't for lack of trying. It was a long campaign process. It taught me a lot. Most of it made me realize how much I love this community and what it has to offer. The Crowsnest Pass is a beautiful place. From it's pristine rivers and lakes to it's magnificent mountains. It is the best place to live!! After spending 29 years living in a city of over a million, you can appreciate coming home to a place such as this. It made me realize how much I miss small town living. No noise, light or air pollution. It is just clear skies, and stars as far as the eye can see, at night. It is quiet solitude and peaceful living. And the people are warm, friendly and welcoming. I can say that I am trying glad and proud to live here. All this was very apparent during the campaign process. I was invited into homes, and warmly embraced by strangers. I was hugged by children and was met with approval by many an animal. I also made many new friend's. It was both touching and heartfelt. Thank you Crowsnest Pass for your support. I promise you this, you have not heard the last of me. Stay tuned here for my daily Blogs of happenings in and around the Crowsnest Pass. |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-19-10 4:20 AM
Dear Friends & Neighbors, Tax-Payers & Voters, Supporters & Volunteers; to the Wonderful People of the Crowsnest Pass: Thank you so very much for your support, generosity and help. It has been a pleasure to get to know those of you who I only just met during this campaign process. I have made quite a few new friends. It has been wonderful to renew old friendships and acquaintances. It has been great to work with my wonderful group of campaign volunteer's. A BIG thank you, to all of you. I really hope that all of you will continue to drop by my Blog and my website. I don't plan to drop out of sight, now that the election is over. I will remain in the publics view, by my being involved in various areas in and around the Crowsnest Pass. Feel free to stop me and say hello. I am leaving this website up and running. I will still continue to write a daily Blog. I will also keep you updated and informed, of council's plans and actions, over the next three years. I believe that we have turned a huge page here in the Crowsnest Pass. We have already decided in favor of change. We have a new Mayor and an almost all new council. I have had the pleasure to meet them all and spend some time with most of them. They seem to be very competent people. I'm sure that they will take the Pass forward into a brand new and brighter future!! (Unofficially) This NEW council is comprised of our new Mayor: Bruce Decoux, and the 6 Councillors: Jerry Lonsbury, Andrew Saje, Brian Gallant, Larry Mitchell, Emile Saindon and Siegbert Gail. Congratulations to all of you!! As I plan to run again in October of 2013, I will leave most of my information available here, for anyone who wishes to read it. I will update this site, as needed, as time goes on. Please still feel free to contact me with any issues, concerns and ideas that you may have for or about the Crowsnest Pass. As I said during my campaign, my door will always be open, my phone always on. That door will just not be situated in the Municipal Building. I still feel strongly that our council needs a female voice. In fact, I believe that we need at least one woman on council. Two would be better. That is one reason why I plan to run again. I don't want to offend any men here, but there are good reasons to have women sitting on council. Women look at things differently than men. They react differently and process things differently. They do not posture with each other. They do not generally compete with each other or one up each other for a position of power. Women tend to have a calming effect on things. They are the nurturers. They see things from a whole different perspective then men. They think differently than men. Women are used to multi-tasking and still making effective choices. They can balance council out. This is why you can count on me, to run again, in October of 2013. Sasha JaegerBaird For Council |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-16-10 8:09 PM
Stay tuned folks, for later tonight. I have another good Blog coming. I am once again getting up on my soapbox and telling it like I see it!! |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-16-10 2:39 AM
I have to preface this here by saying that I have done most of these things, but not all of them. I am making a few of them up, for some much needed humor at this point in the election. I will tell you which one's I have not done. Or maybe I will let you guess.... What NOT To Do While Running In An Election.... - Go out of the house, in the morning, just wearing your pyjamas, to drive your daughter to school. ( I actually have done this one) She was late and I was in a hurry. lol
- Forget to brush your hair in the morning before leaving your house. Getting home and realizing that it sticking straight out in every direction. (See above point, about driving my daughter to school.)
- Do the above two things, while trying to remain anonymous. (Hard to do when you have big signs on your car, with your name on them - opps.)
- Get your hair cut into a mohawk and color what's left of your hair, three or more different colors. (I haven't personally done this - at least not lately. Hey you never know, during an election, it might get you noticed.)
- Order elections signs with the lettering, for your name, the same color as the background. (It looked pretty good online, but not in person, from a distance.)
- Order metal sign stands, to hold your signs. To then try to put them into the ground, when the ground you are trying to put them into, is mostly rock and gravel. (It really doesn't work!! You have to supplement them with wooden stakes anyway, so you should have just not ordered them and gone with the wooden stakes.)
- Still not order metal signs stands, in a place that has winds that gust up to 120kph. (They don't hold up well, and tend to get bent, go missing and break. Thereby still needing the wooden stakes anyway!!)
- Address the candidate running for mayor, by the opposing candidates name. (Only okay, if both of them are named John!!)
- Having your outspoken daughter, who listens attentively to all you have been saying through the campaign process, attend the election candidates forum, and forget to tell her, that if she has anything to say during the evening, remember that it reflects upon her Mother. (I really had no idea she was going to get up and talk, let alone what she was going to say. But she is her mother's daughter and is very obviously quite passionate about her thoughts and feelings. You go girl!! Just next time, write it down first. This way you know what you are going to say, and then you say it the right way. I love you, honey!!)
- Get into a conversation with someone, while on the way to the bathroom, getting sidetracked and walking into the wrong restroom. (Didn't happen to me. Honestly!!)
- Go into the grocery store without a list of things you need. (If you don't have a list, I guarantee you will be back at least twice more, the same day!!!)
- The same point also can be used for the hardware store, The Bargain Shop, and just about anywhere else you have to go during the course of the day. (Campaigning can be hard on the brain matter.)
- Don't leave your house without your cell phone charged. (Without fail, you will be on a very important phone call, with a person who you don't have their number, and your cell phone will die. Let's hope they call back.)
- Don't lend your cell phone to your teenage daughter. (When you get it back, it will need charging. See above point.)
- Don't go out to put up signs on East Hillcrest Drive and forget to check your gas gauge before leaving the house. (Especially when you live in Coleman.)
- Don't plan a Halloween Dress-up Birthday Bowling Party for your teenage daughter, with at least eight of her giggling and hyper girlfriends, the week before the election and the same weekend as Thanksgiving. Especially when you promised to bring your famous layered salad (made 24 hours in advance) and your macaroni with ham & cheese salad, and have to make enough for 14 people. (Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
- Get a new pair of shoes to wear, the same day you go out door knocking for five hours!!
- Don't park you car, with it still running, in drive, while you get out to put up your signs. It may try to get away from you. (This never happened!!)
- Don't park your car, on an upwards hill, in neutral, without the e-brake on, while you get out to put up signs. It may roll back over you. (This didn't happen either!!!)
- Don't get out of your car, lock the doors, try to go into your house (after a long day of door knocking) and realize you just left the keys in the ignition, and the key ring had ALL your keys on it!! (This goes back to: Campaigning can be hard on the brain matter.)
- Don't try to open your second story window, at the same time you are trying to put something underneath it, to hold it open, while one hand is holding the window open and the other hand is trying to place the item underneath it. It will fall out the window, down the roof, while making a loud thunking and clunking noise, and onto the grass below and thus scaring your cats, your daughter and leaving you holding the window. (This is just about the funniest thing that has happened in a long time!! I really got a good laugh. And so did my daughter, once she realized what had happened!!) - What does this have to do with campaigning?? Nothing. But it was funny and I wanted to share it with you!!
- Don't ask anyone to do something for you, that you wouldn't do yourself. Chances are you will end up doing it anyway.
- Stay up all night Blogging, when you have door knocking to do the next day. (Your eyes will be blood-shot and not look very good.)
Good night everyone. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!! |
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Posted on October-15-10 2:21 AM
Things I Have Learned On The Campaign Trail... - At least one other person will come up with the same slogan as you.
- When you think that you have found a replacement slogan, someone will inevitably come up with it too.
- Every candidate will eventually quote each other, whether intentionally or not.
- At least two candidate will have the same color signs. Thus confusing the voters.
- As in the case of this election, two candidates have very similar names. Sig Gail and Gail Sygutek This is NOT confusing you, is it?!?!
- All candidate's are not created equal.
- Some candidates are more equal than other's.
- There is always the "fringe" candidate. It's just figuring out who that is....
- There is always at least one very vocal candidate.
- There is always that one candidate who is "out-to-lunch"
- There is always one candidate that should have hung it up long ago.
- Every candidate thinks they have the best plan for the future.
- Every candidate has an opinion.
- Everyone you meet has an opinion.
- Everyone that has an opinion thinks that theirs is the most important opinion.
- Everywhere you go, someone wants to talk. As a result, my poor daughter is always rolling her eyes, while she once again waits for me. ( Note: She is getting used to it, in fact she is coming to expect it. lol )
- My daughter is becoming a latch key kid. Can that happen at 15??? (Don't worry, we spend a lot of time together. She is almost always with me, when not at school. See the point above this one.)
- My ex-husband and I have spent more time together in the past three days than we have in the last three years. ( He is one of my campaign crew and is helping to put up signs.Thank you. :-) )
- I will spend part of each week putting up signs.
- I will spend at least part of every day checking signs.
- I will spend at least part of every day chasing signs that have blown away in the wind.
- I will curse the wind and make yet again a new sign to replace "the one that got away"!!
- No matter how you attach your signs to the wood stakes, they will blow off, bend and rip in the wind.
- Election signs will appear at an alarming rate. Overnight!! Almost like coat hangers reproducing in your closet.
- I will redo my brochure at least three times until I like the way it looks.
- I will count and recount my brochures at least twice to get the right amount for the post office to deliver. (Should have been paying attention to counting instead of watching TV.)
- I will get very good at multi-tasking. (I was always good at this, but now I am much better.)
- I will stop and really listen to what my daughter/son was saying instead of mindlessly agreeing. (Hmmm, what was that you said honey?? You invited how many for dinner?!?!? I said it was okay?!?!)
- I will stop making excuses to the cashier at Sobey's, when I have come in for the fifth time that day.
- I will remember how much work/fun campaigning was before I do it again. lol (I have really enjoyed it.)
- I will walk more miles in a day than I have in the last year.
- I will knock on more doors in these few weeks, than I have in my lifetime.
- I will still have just as much trouble remembering names, as I ever did. (That is where my notebook has come in handy. Now I just have to remember where I put my notebook.)
- I will meet more people in the few weeks of campaigning, than I met at my first wedding. (...and my Mom invited a lot!!! Great, Great Uncle Bill??? Never heard of him. Okay Mom, you can invite him.)
- Everyone feels that they know you.
- Everyone feels that they can come up to you, at all hours, in any situation and talk to you. (I'm sorry, can I please finish in the bathroom and then we can talk??) lol
- People ask you the weirdest questions. (Hope I was able to answer that for you alright?)
- Stranger's share the most intimate details with you.
- People either love you or dislike you. Even the one's who don't know you.
- There are always lots of rumors abound. (Hopefully none about you.)
- Your family feels the stress of the election process. (People constantly stopping them to ask questions, that they have no idea the answers to. "Ummmm, ask my Mom, she's the one running.")
- I am getting in shape without the benefit of an exercise program.
- My mouth is in better shape than the rest of me. It is getting plenty of exercise!!!
- For once in my life, I can finally fall sleep right away at night.
- I have more Facebook friends that anyone I know. (Half of them, I don't personally know.)
- I spend more time reading, what I would have once considered useless and uninteresting information, than I ever have in my life. (Now it is both fascinating and mandatory!! And I think I have wore out another pair of reading glasses.)
- The Municipality website has become my favorite place to surf.
- The ladies at the Municipality have become my best friends, next to the ladies at the post office, and the ladies at the copy store, and the staff at both of the newspaper's, and Dino at MountianView Industries Wood Shop, and the guys at the gas station, and ......
- I've read more other people's (candidate's) blog's than I ever have. In fact, I never read a blog before, until I created my own for my campaign website. Now it is the first thing I do every day. Good morning, John, Dean, Emile, Brian, George....
- The youth of this community want to be heard!!!
- Everyone is still upset about the school busing issue and thinks council can do something about it. (If the newly elected council can, I'm sure we will try.) Notice I said "we"!! I am a positive thinker.
- I have become really aware of just how positive a person I am!!
- The Pass is really a BIG place!! lol (Especially when you are putting up and checking on signs.)
- The Pass is a REALLY big place, especially when you are chasing signs!!! (Yes, that was me running down Highway 3, through Frank Slide, chasing yet again another sign!!) Rofl
- Some of the other candidates are really considerate people. They have fixed my signs for me, when they needed fixing. Thank you, so much.
- A two hour forum, and 5 minutes in total to speak (1.25 minute's to answer only 3 question's) is NOT enough time to get to know 22 people!!!
- The Elk's Hall has not enough room to seat 350 people, even if a lot of them are standing.
- I have really enjoyed campaigning and meeting new people.
- I am looking forward to working on council. (Positive thinker!!)
- Whatever happens Monday, I will run again in three years!!
- I have a lot of signs to pick up come Tuesday!!!
- I might not be able to get them ALL until Wednesday!!
- My family has been extremely supportive. Thank you so much for all your patience!! I love you all. :-)
- I thought I would run out of things to Blog about. I was wrong.
- Stay tuned, there are still three days left... lol
Have a Happy Day Everyone!!! |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-13-10 12:06 AM
The Meet & Greet was a success!! The support of my family and friends was overwhelming. A big "thank you" to all of you that dropped by. I was very happy to see some new faces. I enjoyed the chance to meet all who attended. There was some very interesting conversation and good questions. I was pleased to be able to try to answer them the best I could. The number one question that seemed to be on people's minds was: What is the Crowsnest Pass (municipality) going to do to keep our young people living here. What are we going to do to attract young families to move here and to make them want to stay here?? We had some in depth debate and some great idea's tossed around. The second most asked question was: How are we going to increase our tax base without increasing taxes?? I believe that everyone came away from the evening feeling enlightened. I know I did. A very big "Thank you" to Jody at The RumRunner/Crowbar Lounge for making the space available and for providing her services for the evening. (((((((((Jody)))))))) The place looked great!! Thank you again, to everyone who attended!! Also, a thank you to John Prince for his attendance and support. Don't forget: a vote for me is a vote for you. I want to be your voice on council!! Please Vote Sasha JaegerBaird on Election Day, Monday October 18th |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-12-10 5:07 PM
Don't Forget To Come Out Meet And Greet Tonight With Sasha Tonight Tuesday October 12th, 2010 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Please come out and join me tonight for refreshments and an opportunity to chat about the issues. I want to hear your ideas and suggestions. Let's get a chance to meet and get to know each other. I will be your voice on council. I want to make your vote count. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Where: At the Crowbar Lounge - 7902 - 20 Avenue Coleman ~ Enter through back door entrance (downstairs at The RumRunner) ~ Feel free to bring family, friends and neighbors. I hope to see you there |
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Posted on October-05-10 8:21 PM
Meet And Greet With Sasha Tuesday October 12th, 2010 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Please come out and join me for refreshments and an opportunity to chat about the issues. I want to hear your ideas and suggestions. Let's get a chance to meet and get to know each other. I will be your voice on council. I want to make your vote count. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Where: At the Crowbar Lounge - 7902 - 20 Avenue Coleman ~ Enter through back door entrance (downstairs at The RumRunner) ~ Feel free to bring family, friends and neighbors. I hope to see you there. |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on October-02-10 4:38 PM
There is a movement underfoot. It's as deceptive as it is unnerving. Several candidates are involved in this. Whether working together or as individuals. I believe it is both. But it is obvious they ARE very much doing this. I guess it would make a lot of sense if they had an ulterior motive. Well, guess what? They do. They want to get elected, or in the cases of a few, get re-elected. Certain candidates are talking out of both sides of their mouths. Doing one thing while telling you another. They are carefully listening to what the people are most upset about and directing their campaign toward those issues. This would be fine, if they were sincere. I do believe that there are quite a few candidates, that are in fact, very sincere. They will make fine choices. But the few other's are who you have to watch out for. They are very versed at saying what you want to hear. Be careful. Be smart. Be informed. Make sure you look at them closely. Look at their track record. Their past views and actions. Have they done what they promised in the past? Have they listened to the people and done the opposite? What are they like as a person? Because what they are like in their day-to-day life is who you will see, once they get elected. Are they kind? Do they care? Do they really listen to people? What is in their heart? Do they have a history of doing what they say and saying what they plan to do?? Make sure you know about the candidates before you vote. Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. |
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Posted on October-01-10 4:38 PM
Politics can be a dirty business. Especially during an election campaign. Some people start to slander you and try to discredit you. If they don't like what you have to say or what you stand for, people can say and do cruel things. I have a tough skin. I can take a lot. It rolls off me, like water off a duck's back. I can handle whatever anyone throws at me. I have the wisdom of my years and my life experiences to fall back on. I am tough. For the most part, I am getting a lot of wonderful feedback and support. Thank you to those who have done so. You are truly a credit to the human race. As for those of you who are personally attacking and slandering me, you are entitled to your own opinions. I can handle that. However... ... when you use your children to attack my child, that is when it has gone too far!! Shame on you!!! If you really have something to say, why don't you call me up and you can say it to me directly. My number is 403-563-6073. Better still, we can sit down over a coffee and you can say it to my face. I have nothing to hide, no secret agenda, no ulterior motive. I am running for council for several reason. One, it was suggested to me, by many people, many times. Two, I love this place, want to see the best for it and want to give back to a community that has shown me love and support. Three, I felt it was high time someone get brave enough to stand up and put their money where their mouth is and do something about our dysfunctional council. Four, I felt it was the next logical step in my life. My child deserves an education just like every other child. She deserves to be able to go to school and be able to learn without being harassed. When you cross the line by getting your children to do your dirty work for you, and in turn hurt my daughter, that is when it becomes personal. Keep my daughter out of it!!! Like I said, if you have something to say to me, say it to my face!!! Do you really need to hide behind your own children?? What are you afraid of?? Me??? I have no idea why. You don't even really know me and chances are I don't even know you. I would, however, invite you to get to know me. Call, write, email, sit down and talk with me. Maybe you'll find out I'm not such a bad person after all. They say people fear what they do not know. Maybe they fear who they do not know, as well. |
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Posted on September-27-10 11:34 PM
Tonight was the Public Forum for the election candidates, held at the Elk's Hall in Blairmore. What a turnout!! Well over 300 people was the conservative guess. It was standing room only. They were even standing outside the doors. The questions were numerous and thought-provoking. Some even put certain people on the spot!! It was night full of mixed and raw emotion. I'm sure it could have gone long into the night, but it had to be cut short. As it was, it went on for 3 hours. The candidates all had a chance to answer three questions. I'm sure that there could have been so many more, if not cut short. There were some good answers and some answers that didn't make any sense. There were some candidates who stayed on track, and some candidates who went off on their own little tangent. We even had one, who totally ignored every question and only said what was on his own agenda. I'm not sure if anyone even noticed. It was great to see three local teenagers get up and ask questions of the candidates. We need the younger generation participating more. I have to say that one of the teens that got up to speak was, in fact, one of my four beautiful children. She did this totally on her own. I had no idea. In fact, if I had, I might have talked to her in advance about a few things. My daughter is a typical teenage girl, except for one fact. She is one of those, for lack of a better term "goody two shoes" or as some kids call her "church girl". She is a good girl, but sometimes to extremes. She doesn't smoke, do drugs, drink or even swear. She stays out of trouble. All good things. I am proud of her for it. But sometimes she does use colourful alternative's, to compensate for certain bad language. Tonight was one of those times. I do have to admire her for getting up the nerve to get up and speak in front of 300 people. I know she was nervous. And yes, she was very emotional and emphatic about what she was saying. She made some very good points. I was sitting there quite proud of her, until that "word" appeared. Much to her mother's horror, dismay and embarrassment, she said it. Over and over again. Five times I think it was. Yes, it was her use of the word "crap" that made me want to melt into my seat. Did anyone notice?? Of course they did!! Every single one of them. I just hoped that they didn't hold it against me. But the response I got afterwards was positive. Most people just admired the fact that she got up to make her point and ask her question. Only one said anything about the "word". Another asked if that was what they were to expect of me, if I was on council. I replied that I was not one to take any of that (you know... "word"), and would speak my own mind. I also told them that I always raised my kids to stand up for what they believed in. That I hoped they took a little after me. Obviously tonight showed that. lol So after we got home, I asked my daughter why she said what she did. She said that she got so nervous waiting to speak that she went blank and then just rambled. She said that the emotions, of not having anything to do here in the Pass, took over. She also said she had no idea that she used that word 5 times. She was mortified. I'm glad I wasn't the only one!! Oh well, it could have been worse. Like when she said that kids like her would continue to vandalize things unless something like a recreation centre was built, giving them something different to do. I'm sorry..... I don't think I heard you right. In fact, I don't think everyone heard what you just said. "Could you please say that again??" So she did. I know what she meant. I know what she intended to say. Anybody who knows us, knows what she meant. For those who don't know us, she really didn't mean exactly what she said. She's very much against that sort of thing. She and I have had this discussion many times. We are aware that kids vandalize. She even hears some of them talk about it at school. We are both aware that this is a problem. It may be because some kids are bored and have nothing better to do. I feel very strongly that a Recreation Centre is needed for our children. It won't solve all the problems, but it will go a long way for the kids who are truly good at heart. "But honey, saying that you will continue to vandalize, if something isn't done, just doesn't come across well. Especially when your mother is running for council." "I know you were referring to some of the youth in the Pass, and not specifically yourself. But that isn't what you actually said." How many times have I told her to think before she speaks?? Hmmmm .... tonight would have been one of those good times to do so. It's actually kind of funny when you think about it. I can just see the headline's now:"Council Candidates Daughter Does Damage" ... "More Carnage to Follow....." I love my children. All of them. At every age they have ever been. Especially the teenage years. After all, what are you going to do with them?? You can't put a muzzle on them. And you can't lock them in their rooms, like rapunzel, forever. lol |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on September-23-10 5:49 PM
I'm sure by now you have noticed the election signs going up all over the place. It would be hard to miss them all. Personally I've counted 6 of the people, that are running for a position on council, who have their signs up so far. One for Mayor and 5 for councillors. That number may have changed, by the time this is done being written. The frightening thing is that there are still 16 more people who still have yet to place their signs up and around the Pass. Yes, I am one of them. I am just waiting for my sign posts to come in. I'm sure that the other 15 are waiting for their signs to be made, or other similar such thing. Now think about those numbers for a minute. With 22 people running for a position on council, that means potentially there could be 22 signs on each and every street corner. Talk about confusing!!!! Who to vote for??? But it's all about name recognition. The more your name is out there, the easily it is remembered. The big question is, do we really want to vote for people just because we remember their name??? Personally, that is not the way I would vote. Not anymore at least. There was a time, I can admit, that is how I occasionally voted. I got to the polls, got stuck for someone to vote for and voted for a name that I recognized. But that was also when I thought that I had to vote for all seven people. You don't have to, but more on that in a minute. No, the way to vote is by being informed. Find out what the candidates stand for. What they see themselves doing on council over the next three years. Where they stand on the issues, both important one's and the "not so big" issues. This is what is important. Come out to the Public Forum on Monday September 27th, at the Elk's Hall. Ask questions. Expect answers. Understand this one point though. If you only like one or two of the candidates, you only have to vote for one or two of the candidates. You do not need to fill in the complete ballot. It is perfectly acceptable to only vote for the one's that you believe in and want to see sitting on your next council. Don't just go with name recognition. If you do, we may just end up with the same council as before. And we don't want to have the same dysfunctional council that has lead us for the past many years. Don't get confused by all the signs.They will be every where. |
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Posted on September-20-10 6:23 PM
I am questioning the motives, of some of the Candidates, for this CNP election. Why you may ask?? It can be explained simply: Today I went into a business, as I have every day for the last week. I have been busy handing out my brochures every where I go. People have been very receptive and even have asked a lot of questions. Enquiring minds want to know: Where do I stand on the issues? What do I think are the most important issues and what do I see myself doing about them?? I have been more than happy to address each and every enquiry. Sometimes, to my daughter's dismay. I have spent many more than a few minutes discussing what people want to talk about. She understands perfectly though. My daughter supports me 100%. This is what a candidate, who really cares about the community, does. A candidate listens, talks and gives answers to the best of their ability. This is where my question "What was he thinking??" comes in. Okay, so I'll recap. I went into a business. I had already handed out my brochures there once, so I was just shopping. Well, I ended up bumping into a woman I knew, from my hometown. She has lived here for awhile now. She loves the Crowsnest Pass, but she can see the problem with council and what has happened here as a result. I offered her a brochure and she said she would only take one if I answered some questions for her. I, of course, was happy to. Now here comes the part that floors me. She said that another potential councillor had been in earlier that day. He wanted to get her to vote for him. He offered no information. When asked if she could ask him some questions, he declined. She wanted to know where he stood on certain issues and what he was going to do for her, if he was elected. All he could say was "That's not up to me, you have to ask council that." Nothing else. Then he left. I asked her if she knew who he was. She told me that she didn't bother to register it, in her mind, as she had no interest in voting for someone like that. It scares me to think that someone like that might get on council. Now, who doesn't take the time to talk to the voters? Who is that confident, that they are going to get in, that they don't care if they show indifference to a voter? Why are they running?? What are they running for?? Maybe the main question is who are they running for? Are they one of these so called "lot" that is in one camp or the other?? One of the so called gang of four or gang of three?? Are they just running to split the vote? Keep someone else out? Is there a hidden agenda?? I ask... why would someone not care to talk to the voters?? What's up with that??? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caution Folks: Know who you are voting for and where they stand on the issues. Are they affiliated with one set on present council or the other? Or are they nonpartisan, not belonging to or favouring one side or the other, but thinking totally independent? I'm sure that the good people of the Crowsnest Pass want councillors who can think for themselves. The Crowsnest Pass people want councillors who have the ability to make decisions based on the facts, not what they might be able to use for personally gain or status. Know your candidate!! Ask questions!! |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on September-18-10 3:19 PM
I was recently put on the spot with a question. I imagine that it will happen a lot, now that I am running for council. I was asked a question and had to make a choice. When asked which of the two people running for mayor, that I would rather work with, the answer is an easy one. I can definitely say without hesitation, John Prince. Why?? There are any number of reasons. I will list a few, but before I do, I have to say, I have only personally met him once. What I am about to say, is based on that meeting and what I have read and heard about him. First and foremost, he is approachable. This is an important quality in a mayor. We want our next Mayor to be approachable. We want to know that we can talk to him about any of the issues. We want to know that he isn't hiding anything. That he doesn't have a secret agenda. We want to know that we can trust him. He is sincere. What you see is what you get. He is also very personable. This is important for all those local and provincial functions, events, meetings, forums, and conventions that he will have to attend. We want a Mayor who will represent us without embarrassing us or making us feel uncomfortable. We want our future Mayor to be natural extension of us, the people he represents. John is very knowledgeable. He gets his facts and sticks to them. He is not afraid to dig deep into the issues. He wants total accountability and transparency of council. He obtains the necessary information and draws his own conclusions without coercion. He has been around for awhile. He is no stranger to council. He has a Campaign Website and a Blog. He is not afraid to speak up about the issues. You can see them here: Having met him, and talking about the issues, I can decisively say that he would be a good choice for mayor, of our fine valley. As well, we seem to share many of the same visions for the Crowsnest Pass. We both see the big picture and what the Crowsnest Pass needs in order to invoke positive change and growth for the future. This is important if we will be working together on council. Now you might ask, what about the other guy running? Okay, let's address that. Bruce Decoux. What do I know about him? Not too much. Mainly what I read in the paper. I certainly don't hear much about him otherwise. What I do know is that he has made no move to get to know me. He hasn't called, or emailed, or left a message on my Campaign Website. He hasn't commented on anything I've had to say or done. You would think that someone running for Mayor, would want to get to know the people who he might be working with. John Prince did. What does that tell you?? There are two people running for mayor. One will get my vote. Will it be the one that has made an effort to get to know his potential future council member. Or the one who remains quietly on the sidelines somewhere. Bruce Decoux....where are you?? Thank you, John Prince, for caring enough to take the time to get to know me. So I ask you the voters.... Who would you rather vote for mayor? |
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Sasha JaegerBaird: Posted on September-14-10 11:29 PM
John Prince wrote a thought-provoking article in his blog today. It concerned the Social Deficit here in the Crowsnest Pass. After reading it, I can say "John, I absolutely agree with you!! Well written. Well done!!" I would hope that anyone else, after reading it, would take the time to really digest what John has to say. It is so true. If you haven't read it, the link to it is here: http://blog.johnprince.ca/ The community needs to wake up and smell the pork frying, and it isn't in my kitchen. I know I can't afford the price of ham with fat attached. It's been that way most of my adult life. But we all know who, of those of us can. According to local stats, it isn't at least 27% - 37% of our population. As John said, that number is conservative. Those numbers are based on the 2006 census. That was before the recession hit us. This community needs to elect people who know what it's like to do without, to struggle and overcome obstacles. They are the people who will work hard to support this community. These are the people who will help this community out of it's economic slump. They are the people who will bring this Crowsnest Pass into the future. Make your vote count on election day!! Vote after getting to know the candidates. Read or hear what they have to say. There is a Public Forum at 7:00 pm on Monday September 27th, at the Elk's Hall. Go and ask questions. Talk to the candidates. Get to know them as individuals. Know what they do and the circumstances from where they came. Are they relatable? Are they like you and me?? Do they understand hardship and the plight of the needy?? Are they part of someone else's political agenda? Are they in it for personal gain or exposure? Are they real day-to-day average people. Or are they the one's who spend their time looking down upon the rest of us??? Most of all, what is their platform, the issues that they believe are important? Are they the people who will lead this beautiful community into the future? You need to know these things before you vote. Some of them will be coming around to meet you. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask the hard one's too. They may or may not have an answer, but take note of the one's who will try to get an answer for you. And I'm not saying that canned pat answer that seems like it's coming from a politician. You want the answer from a person who really cares what your opinion is and how you feel. Do they really listen to what you have to say?? Read their literature, and their websites. Get to know them. For they will be the one's leading the Crowsnest Pass forward. What kind of future do you see?? More of the same, being lead down the garden path??? Or do you see a bright future?? Are you unsure?? This is why you need to know who you will be electing. There are some new choices. There are some choices that have the same old agenda as the current council members. There are some that have been groomed by the one's currently in council; one's that will be lead around on a leash by those not holding an office, but holding all the cards. Then there are some good choices. People who speak their mind and are not afraid to stand up and be heard and counted!! People who are not easily manipulated by the establishment. These are some of the choices that you have. Make a smart choice. Make a choice that will be good for this community. It is your right to vote on Election day. People fought for your right to vote!! It is your civic duty to do so. Make your voice heard. Stand up and make your voice count!! |
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Posted on September-14-10 12:38 AM
Counting down the days until it's official. Still wondering how many other's will step forward. It should be an interesting electoral race. I've had quite a bit of traffic to my Campaign site. That's good. Getting the word out. Now to just get some campaign sponsorship in the way of donations. Have to get those brochures and signs ordered soon. This week for sure. Praying for donations. |
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