Robert Stanford For City Council District 4

The Struggles Of Advocacy

These pages are compiled of a series of articles that I have written in an attempt to promote understanding and solicit empathy for the plight of those that are less fortunate than we are.

In my attempts of changing my community for the better, I have had to learn the hard way - that it is true - some of the "old guard" that comprise what is loosely called the "leadership" of our local community maintain a strong hold on the prevention of positive growth and the nourishment of positive change. The old guard continues, as those that have gone before have set an example that this is the path to success in local politics and social action. I disagree.

David and Goliath - Together Again On the Campaign Trail
by
Robert Stanford

David And Goliath. Together Again On the Campaign Trail
By
Robert Stanford

A whirlwind of emotion, elation and joy surround a seemingly infinitely layered shell of entanglements in countless situations in these moments which comprise my quasi professional endeavors in my life.

As I write these things to bring together yet another article to add to a collection of attempts to promote understanding, provide a platform for nurturing growth and the promotion of concepts that are established to demonstrate their own effectiveness primarily throughout the testimony of first hand observation of what is effective and what is not – right here. Right now.

On the campaign trail. Ever increasingly a door to door scavenger hunt for votes. But within the sanctuary of the whirlwind encompassing the shells that surround me as I have described within the first two paragraphs above, that really fades away after a few doors.

It becomes more of some sort of fascinating life experience every few minutes for hours throughout the day. It’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. Sweet emotion in different ways and perspectives. Not quite what I was expecting when I first embarked upon this wondrous adventure! To be quite sure!

I was expecting it to be more like a 1930’s encyclopedia salesman’s lot. Perhaps I just don’t have that persona.

“Hi. My name is Robert Stanford and I am running for the Modesto City Council. I just wanted to (give you, leave you, etc.) my information.”

And that’s it. From that point it just goes wherever it is going to go. If they are even home.

I don’t allow my walking piece to touch the ground. They are glossy enough, that when they fall to the ground on their own, as they sometimes do beyond my control, they can be “buffed out”. You know, like a fine automobile.

I place them like calling cards in efficient ways. On occasion, I must be quite creative. Leave it leaning against an apparent window sill. Or sometimes nesting it within a reef as though it were a precious, newly laid egg, just waiting for the occupant of the dwelling to crack open it’s words – it’s thoughts. Well, I guess they are all about me. But why not? It’s a walking piece.

I made a 30 second pitch. I made several of them. Finally I said to myself something about it that I would not normally say out loud surrounded by politely sensitive company.

So I just kind of go with it. Wherever that might be. Of course that is often dictated by me anyway, because more times than not I am asked a question that is generally either:

“Your not an incumbent are ya?”

And then

“So what are you going to do?”

“Well, I’m a slow growth guy”, I might say.

And we then talk about development and our communities shared nemesis – PMZ (Petrulakis, Madison and Zagaris) – Great men amongst men. Mighty men. Giants. Literally.

Or I might say, “I am a community advocate and have worked in the Modesto Airport District for the past five years and have developed projects and procedures which would dissolve gang violence, drugs and other social problems that are killing us.”

At this point the individual responds accordingly.

If they don’t ask me a question, then we just go where they want to. For example:

I met a man that said that his wife had passed away within a couple of months. With no more than two sentences later, spoken by this man, I could fathom and empathize within a traumatic and deeply reality invoking life change experience. With just two sentences, I could write an entire article regarding this man’s outlook on his transformation of perception regarding marriage, women and love. Intense to say the least.

A few doors later, there was no one home, but as I walked away from the door I heard a faint whistle. And it was the wonderful man with the wonderful outlook who had released so many unnecessary attitudes and casually held beliefs. Unfortunately, I wear corrective lenses to see far away. But usually only while driving, therefore it was several steps back till I could see the water bottle in his hand. It reminded me of the fields and when I use to come from far away to give someone water.

The hardest thing to accomplish is to keep the numbers of doors high. I talk a lot. I hear a lot of ideas. I learn a lot. Not so much about what people’s concerns are. Because most of the time, they are exactly the same as mine. And the rest of the time, they are slightly different, but never too much so.

I don’t ask for the vote. Maybe I hint strongly about it from time to time (door to door), but I tell people to vote from their heart. It’s all good with me. It’s the platform baby. Right? Perhaps. I sincerely suspect not. I’m still on a scavenger hunt for votes. I don’t feel I can be as effective to promote my platform through implementation of projects, concepts, or what have you. That’s not the point of why I am at the door. Though I often wish it was.

The whirlwind and the shells make it difficult to see woods for trees. Makes me wonder if it is like that for Joe Muratore.

Perine has all but hid himself from me.

Probably for the best. It has had both me and Joe worried all along.

My support rests primarily with those that either know me or come to know me very quickly with a few sentences. It’s not so much what I say but who I am standing in front of them, while I say it. I am seldom misunderstood. I never bring a single objection.

My opponent’s support seems to come from the Giants that I mentioned above. Just another part of the Goliath, as it were.

I have always believed that it was not the rock and sling that ultimately brought down Goliath, but rather, that it was in all actuality the will of God.

And of course therein lies the only reason I am truly running for City Council. Like a sedative, remembering this fact helps me through – faith.