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Oct
21
For real. As in, really for real. Because frankly, I will not make it to November 4th if I don’t get to hear some good stories about voting, democracy and learning about what makes our country strong, not senile.
So find them and send them or write them. I’ll go first:
As some readers may know, I was really unhappy that my town only allowed one yard sign per yard. I know, I know, yard signs don’t vote and all that. And in point of fact, I never allowed us to put up signs in the first place because of my writing.
But you know what? People really like to put up yard signs – there is just something, oh, how shall I say it like Michele Bachmann might? Something just very American-democracy-election-y about yard signs. I mean, I can’t even see my own yard’s signs but just knowing that they’re there? I like that.
Well, anyhow, over the years, residents of Pepper Pike have worked on and off to challenge and complain that the one political yard sign per yard rule was unconstitutional. Finally, this year, after I sent the mayor and the city council a list of towns comparable to and/or adjacent to Pepper Pike, all of which had more lenient rules about yard signs, and particularly in the number allowed, and I included an article from outside Cincinnati where a town was being taken to court for its yard sign restrictions, the city council and law director and mayor agreed to rescind the old restrictions and write and approve new ones. We received a flyer with the new ordinance in it but I can’t seem to locate it online at the moment. Looks like Chillicothe had some problems and suspended its restrictions too.
Okay – so – where’s the chicken soup? Ah….not in the change in the law, although that is indeed good for the soul and for democracy. But rather…
Today, as I was driving my kids home after one of my kids’ after-school volunteer stint teaching computers to senior citizens, my oldest said, “Mom! Look! Three yard sigs in one yard!” and high-fived me.
Now, given that I’m hearing from people I know that yard signs all around them are disappearing, I’m very pleased to say that so far, the Obama, McCain, O’Connell/Stratton, Mandel, Belovich, Fudge and Lawson Jones signs that I’ve been seeing everyday up and down my pretty main drag are all still up.
So – eat this chicken soup: I got the ordinance changed, Republicans and Democrats are putting up three signs in their yard and so far, no one’s signs have disappeared.
And, my kids made the connection between what mom was trying to accomplish by pressing and pushing her elected officials, properly and with evidence and support, about changing a law she felt was unconstitutional, and implementing that change in the law so that everyone can exercise their right to political speech. Not just one candidate or issue per election year.
So feed me – whatcha got?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:32 pm October 21st, 2008 in Chicken Soup, Elections, Ohio, Politics, Writing
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8 Responses to “Chicken Soup for the Swing State Soul”
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What an inspiring story…and how fantastic that your kids learn good lessons from you!
My story isn’t so inspiring, but is a good indication of the good things going on with voting.
The Lucas County Board of Elections has 4 very capable board members who are dedicated FIRST to holding an open, fair and competent election. They are not partisan in their approach to this.
While the Secretary of State issued her advisory opinion that boards of elections were not required to allow observers during the early voting, the Lucas County Board agreed that there was nothing prohibiting observers and made the decision to allow them at the early voting location.
There have been no reported incidences or problems during the early voting in Lucas County.
So even though there have been issues in some places, things are working well here.
For that, I compliment our BOE members: Patrick Kriner (R), Rita Brown (D), Lynn Olman (R) and Gary Johnson (D).
That IS great, Maggie. Here in Ohio in particular, we really need to know what makes that kind of relationship between these very important people work. Thanks – and if you have more to say on that part about why you think it works for them/for the county, I’d love to read your thoughts. Really appreciated.
[...] If you feel like providing some comfort food of this type, please do. Cross-posted at Writes Like She Talks. [...]
……why does it not surprise me your children would understand what you have done, and how you taught them the democratic process. Any way, here’s my own little “chest-thumping” part in the “process”: http://mulemeister.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/hello-world/
Although I was part of a 4 person committee, we all worked very hard collecting the necessary signatures to get the referendum on the ballot, and now, with less than 2 weeks to go, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. The little guy “does” have a chance, no matter what the odds. And here in Lorain, when you go up against the dems, you have a huge mountain to climb.
tiny, but important to me. . .
My grandma, who hasn’t voted in decades, reregistered this year, so that she could vote Obama. She tells people she’s doing so for her grandchildren.
[...] angry bloggers, politicians, and voters out there. I think I need to head over to WLST for some Chicken Soup for the Swing State Soul. Check out the Carnival, yourselves, and then get some of that Chicken Soup afterwards. Posted [...]
Shalom Jill,
How about a bunch of college kids at the University of Idaho in Moscow taking a road trip to Montana to knock on doors to campaign for Barack Obama?
B’shalom,
Jeff
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