 The Struggles Of Advocacy |
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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.
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Election 2009 5 Day Countdown - The Cracks Are Already Beginning To Show
By
Robert Stanford
The Modesto Bee Hive has been fairly defined and seems to, without additional fodder, run out its gambit. Those who take issue with me are nothing more than developer shills and armchair megalomaniacs looking for a free ride on the pyrite controversy express.
The campaign signs were a really bad idea. Glad I used so few of them as I did. They were easy markers for my Robber Baron opponent. Best to install confidence face to face. If I had it to do all over again, I don't believe I would have utilized signs at all.
It's difficult to keep a full charge on the cell phone these days. I can't remember a time it rang so much as it does now. It's gotten to the point that I can't even answer it anymore. Sometimes they leave voicemail, though I cannot even return most calls. Most of the calls come from out of state, trying to sell me something for my campaign so that I can win.
The Modesto Bee recently gave criminals more respect and credibility than they gave me. But who would care to bite the hand that feeds them? The feedback I received from the voters that still read the Bee, however, showed that it worked very much in my favor. But then again, what else would they say to a candidate standing right there on their front door step?
The League of Women Voters forum has been regularly rebroadcast for some time now. That went very well for me, as did the Modesto Junior College Pirate TV showing of "You've Got Issues". I appeared on that one with Al Nava.
Though I have yet to view either one of these programs, it was a remarkable opportunity for me to present myself, my platform, as well as my view of the Modesto City Council 2009 District 4 race and it's historic significance without the misinterpreted slant of the Modesto Bee or the trolls and shills of the Modesto Bee Hive.
My greatest asset toward a victorious outcome of this election, however, has also been the most challenging - precinct walking - door to door.
I was sure to give the impression whenever I could for my opponents that I was not really doing too much of that. Now, so far along in the countdown to election day, it is impossible for either of my opponents to catch up with my progress in this, which is considerable and so hard for even myself to believe how many doors I have knocked on. So hard to believe, in fact, that I have recounted my lists several times now.
As I have written before, it was not just consistent voters that I concentrated on, but also those that do not vote, but are very involved in networking throughout the community and I don't mean like the Rotary or the Latino Round Table.
Like the forums, it is an opportunity for me to demonstrate my platform and its intent, free of the entanglements of opponent's shills or the obvious biasness of the Modesto Bee - the endorser for my nemesis - The Evil Robber Baron - Muratore.
When I first stated out, it seemed to be an impossible task. My opponents had already been walking precincts as well as feeding from the teats of the PMZ (Petrulakis, Madison and Zagaris) Developmental heritage and farmland killing machine and collecting endorsements from all of the who's who of the Old Guard personified with special bending of Modesto City ordinances for the golden child and robber baron - Joe Muratore.
My best claim to fame at the time was an elderly tamale saleswoman pushing her goods in a baby stroller throughout Airport District and No Man's Land (the portion between Airport District and South Modesto proper) who had been gathering up all of my Spanish flyers that she could find for fear that I would be the next Airport District's victim of gang violence because of my tough stance on gangs.
If it were not for the fuzzy black and white picture, she would not have even known it was me, since she has only known me for five years by another name. Not that she could vote for me anyways and also not that this is really true - that this is all I had going for me in the way of name and reputation in the Modesto City Council District 4 boundaries.
For several days in the beginning, the temperatures were close to or over 100. I would show up at a voter's door, looking as though I had just tread across the Sahara desert to meet them.
"Hi. My name is Robert Stanford and I am running for Modesto City Council District 4!"
"Should I call an ambulance for you?"
Practically all day and every day, I would walk, walk and walk. Hundreds of hours and thousands of doors. All by myself with the message of my platform and what I intend to do as a councilman when I take office.
In many ways, I feel that I have put all of my eggs in one basket. But the eggs are there in that basket. And though the days are running short now, I am quite confident that I have done what it takes to win a district election.
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