BLOG: It's time to dig in the dirt - not throw it!

This isn’t your parent’s political experience, this is thick skinned, hand to hand political combat - all to achieve success as a local township government official!  Seriously?

Have you been to a township meeting lately?  Have you watched one online?  It's the kind of interaction that we teach our children is unacceptable.  Our kids are taught in kindergarten to be kind, be civil and above all else treat others how you want to be treated.  Maybe we have a need for some lessons in manners for some of our political kin.

I won’t lie to you, there are times when I will sit and listen to someone talk and think - what the heck are you talking about?  But that little thing in my brain, you know the thing, that filter that makes me stop and think before i speak, usually kicks in and prevents me from putting my foot in my mouth.  I often wonder if others need a tune up on their filter.  Watch a meeting - like bookends there are some that really need to smile more, stop being so personally mean and use their filter! 

Aren’t people tired of hearing dirt being thrown at fellow community members?  Isn’t it more important to talk about the issue being discussed than the person involved in the issue?

Listen, if you are a political opponent and have a record as long as my arm, the public deserves to know.  This goes to the character of an individual.  If you are a political opponent and I just don’t like you because, well because I don’t, I still owe the people around me a little bit of dignity and civility and the breakdown on the issues.  After all, the issues are the things that matter to our residents.

As a mother, I care about public safety.  As a mother, I care that our schools are performing with excellence.  As a taxpayer, I want to be sure that we have the right people in place to keep our way of life here in the township at the levels we deserve.  As a Republican, I believe that government is here to serve the taxpayers. 

So much needs to be debated and shared, but it doesn’t bode well that this will be an election season of civility.  I extend that challenge to our Democratic opponents, stick with the issues, stop bashing the individuals who are willing to stand up and serve.  Lets talk about what matters - money, service and community pride.

On a personal note - welcome home (even for just a couple of weeks) my son Airman Tony Nolte, he is headed home on leave from the United States Air Force!