I've known Owen for a number of years and support his candidacy wholeheartedly. It's amazing how many seats are won unopposed in Burlington. I find it disturbing that many of the current city office holders - our mayor, city councilors, school board members - have become so complacent. I'm especially appalled by the recent moves to create silly municipal laws to control our lives, i.e. last year's efforts to limit use of the green space; the proposed 5 foot parking law on streets; the outrageous proposals to limit and control protest; the forced fluoridation of our public water supply since the 1950s. Owen will bring a fresh, people-oriented, green-minded perspective to Burlington. And to those who discount write-in candidates, I remind them of what Ghandi said:
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

 

I, too, like most of Owen's politics. Certainly moreso than Bill Keogh's whose semblance is more appropriately represented by a big fat "R" next to his name.

Nonetheless, it's worth asking Owen: Where have you been for the past month? Didn't you know that signatures were due in City Hall by Jan. 31st? If you did, then why didn't you gain the requisite number of signatures (a paltry amount - about 50 or so)? If you didn't know about that, then why not? You've run for office before. Why come in so late to the game? It seems like you saw the ballot, saw nobody opposing Keogh, so decided to THEN do something about it.

Regardless of Owen's planning (or lack thereof), Keogh dominates Ward 5. He has strong name recognition and a base of supporters who apparently enjoy his conservatism. Two years ago he nearly lost to a newcomer who busted his hump mainly because Keogh opposed medical marijuana. But since politics is nothing like horseshoes, Keogh still won.

So for Owen, a word of advice: don't run because it's the flavor of the week. Have a goal. Talk about it with others. Highlight the problems in keeping your opponent in office. Most importantly, plan ahead. If you look like you have a plan, you'll get more support.

Good luck.

 

Yup, in W5, as in other Burlington political arenas, one can always ask: Would the real democrat/republican/progressive/independent please stand up? ;-))