Let’s Clean Up Election Campaigning

Our great nation is preparing to elect everything from representatives to serve on Mosquito Control Boards to a person to sit in one of the most important elected positions in the free world. That person will of course occupy the coveted position as the President of the United States.

Even here on Marco Island we will elect four individuals to occupy seats on our own city council for a term of four years. Not quite the elevated position at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but still a wonderful opportunity to do some good for your fellow citizens. I always considered it as a great honor, whether it was as a City Councilor in Concord, New Hampshire for the two terms I served, the one term I sat as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, or the Merrimack County Delegation as a part of the responsibilities serving as a member of the New Hampshire House.

I always considered those positions as humbling and a great honor during my time in office and appreciated the trust bestowed upon all of us lucky enough to serve in those roles. 

The first time I was elected I was amazed at the dedication shown by the men and women who served as part of the canvassing boards at our polling places and how seriously they took those responsibilities. Back in the '70s, we voted by paper ballots, and those Ward Polling locations hand-counted the ballots. I think that the first time I ran was in 1974 or 1975, but I wouldn’t bet on the year.

What amazed me was the fact that I sat outside the polling place on the steps leading into the VFW Hall and waited for the results. It was a three-way race for the Ward Council Seat in Ward One. I think I spent all of $228 to win that election against the incumbent and one other candidate. 

I didn’t have any idea whether I would win or not, so around 8:30 in the evening, when the Ward Clerk came outside and found me sitting on the stoop, she was surprised. She smiled and said she had just phoned in the result to the City Clerk’s Office, and I had easily won the Ward One Seat, and I would receive official notification the next day after the vote tallies were certified. 

I was pretty excited, but after that initial excitement, I began to feel a bit sad for the other two individuals. Both had run hard, but I chose to walk the neighborhoods myself, and I thought that would eventually push me over the top, as many of those in my Ward knew me because of my involvement within the community. 

Today’s elections require thousands of dollars, fancy mailers, email blasts (we didn’t have social media back then), and even radio spots if you really wanted to get high-tech. I’m amazed at what people will spend today to get elected and the dirty tactics they’ll employ to make that happen. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when Vice-Chair Brechnitz chose to take the opportunity to hold up a mailer that has been circulating as part of an anonymous smear campaign against two individuals running for two of the open seats on the city council, which will be decided in the November election.

This type of negative politics has no place in our community, and as soon as we can expose those responsible, we should turn over the rock they hide under as well as any of their accomplices who participated in this vile and reprehensible behavior.

This is not a representation of who we are as a community, and it is about time we make those responsible understand this behavior will no longer be tolerated. These types of actions are why good men and women choose not to give back to their communities through public service. It is through your actions that this message must be made loud and clear.