CAMPAIGN 2002

A CONVERSATION WITH CHERYL JUNE 27, 2002

I went to a political rally last Friday, and there was a judge there and the high sheriff. The judge just looked at me, and the sheriff asked me if I was running for commissioner, and I said yes. He said, "That's what I heard." "If I run and win or just by running it puts me in a different league and now warrants a greater type of protection or liability.

At the rally we had to get up on the stage in the auditorium at the high school and speak. The other people had told what made them qualified to help run the government. So I figured that I had better tell some of my qualifications. I was telling how I knew about hard work and budgeting. I told how I used to commercial fish, how I had my own truck and pulled and set up mobile homes. ( at this point I saw a couple of guys that I was looking at, look at each other and start talking) Then I told how I had farmed and owned a factory where we built modular buildings. I told how I was involved in the community as a First Responder and a firefighter in MH. So I see first hand the needs in the community.

I heard at the rally from a couple of people who have been out campaigning that I am running strong here. I don't think I am what the people there thought I was, because I had my hair down and curly (it's shoulder length now) and a long dress on with a jacket. Not exactly the typical image of a firefighter and truck driver .

We had to answer a number of question so that the newspaper would run our picture for free. I answered the questions and the guys really didn't. I have talked to a few people who have read the articles and they said that I answered the questions and the men didn't. So that has helped to make up their mind.

In the article I told how I was involved in the community and that I see the needs of the community first hand when I go out on a call. I see the need to improve our roads. I see the hard times that people have trying to balance a budget, choosing between food and medicine. Therefore the county commissioners need to realize that they are not spending the government's money, but that they are spending hard working people's money and that we need to look at how the government is spending the money that they have and to cut waste. I have an interest in the education system because the children are our future, and I have friends who have children in the school system.

Also I said that I can bring a perspective to the commission that the gentlemen can't, that is one of a female, sister, daughter, mother and grandmother.
That's another thing that I said, " I don't have any relatives here to influence my vote, and I will not be a part of the good ole boy system." I even have a few of the good ole boys voting for me. They know that's what they are. With the sheriff, with the domestic violence and all.....That is coming to the forefront here and starting to be dealt with. The last line that we answered was is there anything else that you would like to address, and I said that domestic violence is a problem here.

When I was in Ohio with Dad and Mom a friend asked me if I would consider running. I got home and prayed about it and everything fell into place. Like I tell people I know I am supposed to run, I don't know if I am supposed to win. So I am running.

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Black-Eyed Susan Stained Glass Lamp for Cheryl by Virginia