I am disgusted by the column in our local paper criticizing the candidates challenging the status quo incumbents. How about criticizing the incumbents that didn’t bother to respond or attend, like councilpersons from Ward 1, 2, and 5?
Running for office takes courage. I admire anyone who is serious about running for office and does it. It’s not easy to put yourself out there. For many the fear of public speaking is reason enough to never run.
Many people don’t step up and serve because of the fear of failure. It’s much easier to play life safe, do nothing, and criticize while not getting involved. Then, one doesn’t have to be concerned with the potential of a humiliating loss or experience the distress that comes with getting involved.
But no person or no city becomes great by such simple-minded thinking. Leaders take risks. Leaders are the ones who fail the most and succeed even more. We were not put on this earth to do small things. It is the people who fill their time doing meaningful things that matter, like these candidates and those helping them.
For far too long people have given up hope on turning City Hall around. So much so, that they weren’t even willing to try to make it better. Now, we have a group of leaders who have stepped up and said they are willing to serve our city, sacrifice their time, and some columnist wants to attack them? That’s the very reason more people don’t want to run. The columnist doesn’t understand the candidates’ job is to get the job. They can have perfect plans and policy briefs, but if they don’t get elected none of it matters.
The Exchange Club members have jobs, so the meetings last one hour over lunch. It was decided it would be ideal for them to speak only five minutes and allow more time for questions. The audience asked many questions, but the columnist didn’t. Nor did he stay afterwards, even when the candidates said they would stay longer for those that had additional questions.
It was pointed out these candidates can’t get access to the information they need. Our city is reluctant to release much-needed information. Even the paper has said they can’t get information from the city or that it is too expensive of a process. Where’s the story on that?
Lastly, the arrogance of the columnist to suggest he would be a better candidate is appalling. Perhaps he should focus on his current job. It’s painfully clear he has his own agenda as opposed to seeking and reporting the truth.
Leslie Sorrell
Columbus
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