Campaign Promises in the Home Stretch
We’re close. It’s been an incredibly long haul for those of us who entered the race back in the summer, which now seems like several years ago. My calendar has been full between my restaurant life and my campaign life for the better part of two months. My brain is moving 1,000 Km/h and I’m running on caffeine and instinct. Don’t take any of this as a complaint - I’m legitimately having a blast! I’ve met dozens of people, had tonnes of interesting conversations, and gained more knowledge, insight, and perspective about our city than I ever dreamed possible.
I think - and I have nothing to back this up - that this may be the most engaged I’ve ever seen our city. People are coming to forums and meet & greet events with specific questions. They know stats. They’ve read proposals and meeting agendas. They know the names of heads of departments. To say this is a challenge is an understatement. But I’m so proud of us, collectively. If you’re one of the people I’m describing, YOU deserve the right leadership! You’ve done the work to make informed decisions and I really hope we deliver.
There is much more to do! Obviously this level of responsiveness and engagement shouldn’t - can’t - stop after Election Day. From both parties. I am in no way confident that I'm going to win a seat, even though several people I trust and respect seem to think I have this sewn up. It would be irresponsible and arrogant to listen to them and take my foot off the gas. And I don’t think I am irresponsible or arrogant (although I suppose that second one is debatable depending on who you ask). We owe each other more than that after all we’ve been through, don’t we?
There was a question recently in one of the many surveys I’ve filled out that said something to the effect of “how should we judge you on your promises at the end of your term?” The exact line isn’t important; but the spirit of the question is. For me, that’s two-fold: don’t make promises you can’t keep, and keep your promises. I’ve been very careful on the first point, and it’s one of the things that makes me stand out from some of the field. I feel good about my integrity around platform and promises, in that I’m not running to do specific things. Rather, I’m putting forward a set of values and telling you where I stand on issues, and I think it resonates with the folks who aren’t looking for convenient answers.
It’s really the second that I want to reflect on. If I find myself at the horseshoe, I will absolutely keep my own dashboard of initiatives, votes, communications, successes, and failures. I’m inspired by Alison Van Dyke in that regard, who did something similar. The way I answered the question was a bit shorter (in bold), but I’ll expand on it a bit:
Was I consistent in my decision making? I want to make sure I vote with the best interests of the city as a whole in mind. Looking back, I want that track record to be obvious and understood.
Did I vote in line with what I've outlined as my values and priorities since announcing my candidacy in July? I’ve signalled lots of my “social” values early on, and I’ve continued to expand on the more business / fiscal side since then. My overall values will not change, but the context of individual decisions might as I learn more. I want to make sure that I stay true to what brought me into the race in the first place.
If not, have I provided an adequate explanation into what changed my mind? It’s going to happen, but it has to happen for the right reasons, and with a full good faith explanation.
Have I remained as responsive and transparent about my beliefs as I was as a candidate? Everyone is asking for transparency and integrity. Of course there are some things that just have to remain confidential, and Councillors have rules that candidates don’t. But beyond that, I want to remain an open book from the perspective of my positions and perspectives.
Do I continue to contribute as a fulsome member of the team - keeping my colleagues honest, collaborating meaningfully on decisions, and bringing initiatives to the table that have the best interests of hatters at the forefront? No notes here, really. I think this one stands on its own.
I’ve been having some really great conversations lately, and I genuinely appreciate how a good chunk of the general public are showing up. I hope it continues. Keep conversations going this coming week. Ask your friends who they’ve met and what they’re about, not just who to vote for. Advocate for people you believe in - we all need a push for this last bit of runway. But also, let’s be realistic here: if you’re plugged in and doing some homework, and someone hasn’t made an impression on you, it’s time to scratch them. Harsh, maybe - but it’s their own fault at this point. I am of the belief that there are at least 12-15 good, honest, dedicated, intelligent people that I would be genuinely happy with any permutation of. Whether or not I’m in that mix, I sure hope Medicine Hat gets the Council we deserve!
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose - or whatever Coach Taylor said,
- Adam
