The end result was three out of four candidates we supported were victorious, and the only incumbent who retained his seat was the one we supported. By my math, that amounts to an overwhelming and highly successfull victory.

First off, let me thank everyone who supported and encouraged my campaign. Your thoughts, kind words and words of encouragement were all terrific and something I will always remember. Your financial donations were what made my campaign possible and for all of this I will be forever thankful!

As most of you are already aware, I failed in my bid to earn a city council seat. I ended up in fifth place in yesterday’s general election. I was not able to make up the ground necessary to take the fourth spot, but am happy to report I ended up in a solid fifth place, well ahead of incumbents Penny Crissman and Karen Lewis and even further ahead of Tom Mines (incumbent Penny Crissman’s next door neighbor and for all intents and purposes an incumbent himself). Even though I failed to be elected, I won the election and so did the remainder of the Rochester citizens. Here is my take on yesterday’s election results:

Who We Supported

I was part of a group of Rochester citizens who supported a group of four city council candidates: Ben Giovanelli, Jeff Matis, David Becker (incumbent) and myself. We set out on a mission last May to try and upset the firmly entrenched old guard incumbent city council persons, some of who had occupied their council seats for over thirty years. One of those incumbents was knocked out of the race in the August primary. Two of the remaining three incumbents were knocked out yesterday.

The end result was three out of four candidates we supported were victorious, and the only incumbent who retained his seat was the one we supported. By my math, that amounts to an overwhelming and highly successfull victory.

It Was Never About Me

This election was never about me. Don’t get me wrong, after six months of campaigning, walking door-to-door and sticking postage stamps and mailing labels on over 6,000 mail pieces, I would like to have been elected. But in my wildest imagination six months ago I never dreamed that fifty people, let alone 983, would have voted for me. I am humbled by this and thank each and every person who voted for me.

But most importantly, I thank each of you who voted for “change”. The days of no-bid contracts, back door dealings and inviting lawsuits against the city are over. It’s a new dawn, a new day and a new beginning. The new council people will bring fresh ideas, fresh discussion and fres disagreement to city hall. Rochester is now poised to move forward into the 21st century with hard working, intelligent and dedicated leaders who bring real world experience to the council table.

Change is good! Indeed it is!

This entry was posted Wednesday, November 7th, 2007 at 7:58 am and is filed under My Views. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.