Several businesses and organizations across the city have been hosting forums and meet and greets with the candidates for the past month or so. But when I attended a meet and greet on Tuesday night, it was poorly attended during the time that I was there.
I have heard that there have been good crowds at several other events related to the mayoral campaign, and I applaud the citizens who came out.
Still, I’m sure there are more than a few of you who haven’t put forth effort to get involved with this year’s race or stay informed. I can hear several of the typical excuses in my mind now. “I’m just too busy” or “My vote doesn’t make a difference” or “I already know the candidates.”
As a student involved with different organizations on college campus, I saw firsthand how ridiculous most of these excuses are. Trying to get young people to participate in anything political was worse than trying to pull teeth.
And it was even that way with the student government association campaigns. We reached a quorum each year only after being threatened by the election co-chairs to cast our ballot for new SGA officers.
I especially didn’t pay attention to the students who said they were too busy to get involved. Saying “I’m too busy” is essentially the same as saying “There are a lot of other things that matter more to me.” But for a lot of people, things like watching their favorite sitcoms each night came above working to evoke change or supporting a good candidate to lead the campus.
One couple told me at the Bistro this week that “you can’t complain later if you didn’t vote.” I heartily agree with this statement. Many people that are too preoccupied to vote or do research on their candidates have more than enough time later to complain about what the new official is doing wrong.
And as far as the “my vote doesn’t make a difference” excuse, I think the last election proved this to be incorrect. At Salem, I was astounded at seeing a politically apathetic campus suddenly come alive with students ready to campaign for Barack Obama. When they all banded together, they helped make history by voting in the first black president. Whether you agree with President Obama’s position on the issues or not, you have to agree that the momentum that got him into that position was very powerful.
Maybe Mount Airy isn’t home to “Barack Star,” but there are four candidates who are ready and willing to show you what they care about and how they want to change this community. The mayor may not usually have voting power in the city, but he or she still wields great influence and serves as the face of the community to the outside world. Who we vote on is very important.
Maybe some of you say you already know about the candidates and where they stand on the issues. That’s great, but do they know where you stand? Have you talked personally to the candidates about the issues that are the most important to you? These forums and meet and greets would have given you the chance to do that.
I applaud the many who have attended these events with the candidates and who plan to vote in the primary. But never fear if you haven’t been active thus far. There is one large forum still to take place. It will be held at the Andy Griffith Playhouse next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
After you get to know your options, then exercise your privilege to vote if you live in the city limits. When a new mayor is elected, you’ll know that you’ve done all you can to choose the best fit for Mount Airy.
Meghann Evans is a staff reporter for The Mount Airy News. She can be reached at mevans@mtairynews.com or at 719-1952.
Post a Comment
