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.

Reflections Within the 30 Day Election Countdown
by
Robert Stanford

The time is winding down in different ways. From the many interactions with many different people, I can come to feel the pulse of what may ensue during my upcoming 2009 election.

I no longer see this as a three way race. Rather, it is me and them. One seems like a nice guy, but the position he seeks is still better filled by myself. My agenda is more clear cut and precise.

And then of course there is the “shill”. I have heard the most horrifying accounts from those he happened to reach before I.

For someone that sits on the committee of the Salvation Army Red Shield, the idea of discontinuing services to the homeless in an attempt to solve the homeless “problem” is despicable. But quite Mike Moridian in nature. So the Robber Baron will most certainly enjoy his lion’s share of a polarized La Loma Neighborhood Association vote. As will I, as well.

Quite the confident salesman this Robber Baron is. However, the house of cards may be collapsing and spilling about his room of caviar dreams.

The Modesto Bee has been rising to the occasion. Even though staffed with all but a skeleton crew, they have successfully made it a challenge to continue to question their “journalistic integrity”. From re-reading articles an excruciatingly high number of times, many things become clear regarding reporters, editors, perceptions and the pulse that can be felt across the collective consciousness of the residents of Modesto.

Change is in the air.

I now enjoy an understanding from some people that I could have not attained before, thanks to the conciseness of the Modesto Bee. Like listening to one’s own voice on a tape recorder, perhaps the portrait which was painted by the Modesto Bee reporter was more accurate than I am aware of.

After five years here in the Modesto Airport District, perhaps my county wide influence is not constant enough to qualify for a piece of the “Who is Robert Stanford” label.

With some people, they already know who I am despite the Bee or re-enforced by the Bee. The older the person, the more likely this will be the case.

But that is for today. Tomorrow may bring something different. Recently, what I thought to be bad press actually turned out to be great press. People seemed to take it appropriately and correctly, not twist what was said or take certain items out of context as an immediate disqualifier of the validity of my candidacy. I sat on the outskirts of the Modesto Airport District one night, drinking coffee in a donut shop after finishing a long neighborhood watch patrol. A patron laid a dollar bill on the table and said to me, “you need this more than me, man.”

“Thank you”, I said, “but really, I am quite all right.” And attempted to give him back his dollar bill. I had to go to great lengths to explain that I was not a resident of the Gospel Mission next door just to get him to take his dollar back. I chalked it up to guilt by association. To survive my patrol, my dress was not what would be considered professional. It was quite casual and stylized to Airport District traditions.

I am a man that believes in the human spirit. I believe that we all make mistakes in life and that a measure of a man’s worth should not be the length of his “rap sheet” or the size of his wallet, but rather, who is the man that stands before me today? What is his potential? The definition of a criminal to me, is a person that is not remorseful about their mistakes. A person that does not care about others. When one commits a crime, and then truly repents and turns their life around, is that not like witnessing a birth of a child? Is that not something beautiful that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that we, as a society comprised of individuals can be prosperous for many years to come?

There are people however, that I once thought only appeared in slasher movies. People that seem to have no conscience or remorse about anything they do or anyone they may hurt. I do not associate myself with people such as these. As their rightful place is certainly NOT in public society.

However, Jesus himself associated with those that society felt were “evil” in some way. Criminals if you will. Because they were remorseful and because they were ready to turn their lives around.

From his example alone, we should not be so quick to condemn human beings on technicalities. We should ask ourselves, “Who is this person that stands before me today? What is their potential? What great gifts will they provide for our community?”

I have been associating with many different people for many years. And I too have made my share of mistakes. But to shut out individuals because they have perhaps strayed from the ambiguous path of the straight and narrow is to condemn our future as a species into something that I do not believe was ever meant to be.

In my work with individuals and families, I have come to know that if I am to be at all effective, I can only associate myself with those that truly want to change. Those that want to prove themselves and their worth. Those are the only ones I associate with. To do otherwise would make all of my endeavors fail because those that are perpetually strung out just seem to leach the resources meant for those that could actually benefit from them.

Young or old, we all make mistakes in life. We all fall down one day at one time or another. But those that are sincere and really want to change and realize the people they have hurt, they are worth our empathy, support and trust.