Messrs. Saunders, Kidd, 409, Vet, and Acclaro and others,

Thank you all for your kind words, expressions of encouragement, and offers of support on the other thread.  They are deeply appreciated.

I intend to stand firm on my position of accepting no contributions. Thank you very much for the offer nonetheless.

There are some areas where I may be able to use some help, however.  As regular readers of this forum know, I made the decision to run just last Thursday, and spent most of my time since then gathering signatures on my nominating petitions.  I am just beginning to formulate a campaign plan.  Since my campaign will be completely self-financed and low-budget, if any of you are aware of inexpensive vendors of items such as flyers, door hangers, or yard signs I would appreciate it greatly if you would let me know about them.  I have been retired since 1997, and disposed of things such as vendors’ lists prior to our move back to Middletown in 1998.  I have also lost touch with all of the many purchasing agents with whom I used to be associated.  Most have retired and moved.  Some have passed away.

I will have to keep my campaign on the frugal side as I am not a wealthy man.  (I intend to leave office the same way.)

Acclaro,

Thank you for the input.

In roughly reverse order:

I have had some interaction with both Ms. Jones and Mr. Laubach in the past.  Such interactions have been amiable and often, but not always, we have been in agreement.  I am quite certain that that I can work quite well with them in the future and am also sure that I can find a way to work with Mr. Picard and Mr. Smith, as well as any new council members.  Everyone just has to keep in mind that it takes TWO to work together.

Regarding debt, credit ratings, and the like, you need only go back only to the July fifth council meeting (the last one at which I spoke) to hear me tell council that “The thing that concerns me most is that an outside CPA just said (earlier in that meeting) that the City’s debt increases every year.”  I then cautioned council NOT to follow the example of the federal government of overspending, and warned them to look at what it is doing there.

I think (although I am unsure) that I have to have a treasurer.  Perhaps not, if I stay under $1,000 as I plan to do.  My first instinct is to pay a professional accountant (perhaps a CPA?) who is familiar with campaign regulations, and try to keep it at arm’s length.  (Of course, this won’t work if the fee is exorbitant for the few checks that I think will need to be written.  On the other hand, I have no idea of the degree of difficulty of the forms to be filed.)

Regarding your first point, perhaps you have forgotten that, under Middletown’s form of government, this is classified as a NON-partisan office.   I will neither seek nor accept support of any kind from ANY political party—nor have I ever done so in the past.  (This is not to say that I do not welcome advice or moral support from individuals who may happen to be members of a political party—any party.)  I am especially against any quid pro quo arrangements.  (For those of you who may not be familiar with the term, “quid pro quo” means “tit for tat” or “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” or a promise of one favor in exchange for another favor.)

I do, however, appreciate your thoughts.  Input helps.

tomahawk35 wrote: Mike, If this is true where do we sign your petition?

Tomahawk,

First, you can be certain that it is true!!!

Next, regarding signing my petition:

I know that you are aware that you must be a registered voter, to sign, but are you aware that you must reside in the First Ward???  (I can’t recall where you live.  You can access a Ward map by clicking here: http://www.cityofmiddletown.org/docs/council/2008councilward.pdf )

I’ll be busy the next two days but perhaps I can stop by with a petition later today (Tuesday) in the early evening, or perhaps tomorrow on my way to the Board of Elections to file?

You can use this Forum’s “Private Messenger” feature to send your contact info, or call me and leave a message if I am not home.

Thanks!!!

Mike Congrats!! We need you buddy!!! May I suggest if you have time on August 24th come on down to the Bash and bring your petitions. I'm sure there will be plenty of people down there that would love to support you. Just work the crowd. You know I'll send people your way.

Tim Lewis wrote: Gotta think of a catchy slogan. LOL

YOU'LL LIKE MIKE!!!

I now have 81 signatures on my petitions!!!

I am extremely confident that at least 70 of these signatures are of residents properly registered to vote in the FIRST WARD!!! 

I plan to file my petitions tomorrow (Wednesday) before close of business at the Board of Elections office.

I would especially like to thank Tomahawk (and a couple of other members of THIS WEBSITE who, for the moment do not wish to be mentioned) for going out of their way to sign my petitions!!! 

I would also like to thank all of those people, from both inside and outside of the First Ward, that offered to contribute to my campaign.  Even though I immediately DECLINED all offers, I have been truly amazed and deeply moved by the willingness of people throughout the city to offer money to support change in our city government, even in these trying financial times.