Last Tuesday, The League of Young Voters and Community Television Network held their annual fall candidate's forum in Portland. This year's forum featured candidates who are running for municipal office. While The League featured about twenty five candidates at three different candidate debates last year, this year's local races were featured on a smaller scale with 9 candidates attending (10 will be on the ballot), and three contested races for District 1 City Council, District 2 School Committee, and Citywide Water District.
The forum attracted a diverse group of Portland voters who sought to learn more about the candidates on the 2009 ballot: why the heck were they running, what values and issues they stand for, and what their vision is for our city and our community. The questions were broad, challenging, and also politically relevant for the pending issues that the candidates will face if elected.
I've attended and helped organize forums in the past, nothing quite prepares you for the experience being on the "other side," as a candidate. You are quite literally in the blinding spotlight with two cameras facing your right and left side. It's definitely an experience that any first-time candidate would get nervous about. In my short experience so far, running for office is not about you--but about the connections and bridges you make in your community.
I don't know whether to consider myself fortunate or unfortunate to have no opponent in my race for Portland's School Committee in District 1. I'm still running the only way I really know how--by doing the work. I've knocked my doors in my neighborhood, attended neighborhood meetings and school events. I've taken tours of Peaks Island School, visited Cliff Island voters, and toured East End Community School, Portland Adult-Ed, and the West School. I've spoken with parents, educators, policy makers, and advocates about the best ways we can improve our educational system in our community. The candidates forum was the first time I got to present myself as a candidate in a public venue. I enjoyed the opportunity to share some of my ideas, and the community concerns I've heard regarding our schools.
Stay tuned to The League or Community Television Network for segments of the forum!
