My day starts at 9am with coffee, a blueberry muffin and the Falmouth Enterprise at Coffee Obsession. There are a few other folks doing the same, but it's still quiet and clearly early for a Saturday morning in Woods Hole.
I'm here to meet the people, but I'm not the pushy sort. If someone recognizes me and wants to talk, I'm available. However, I finish my breakfast and catch up on the front page news before anyone takes advantage of the opportunity.
I drop the paper in my car and walk over to the Woods Hole post office where I run into Kevin Lynch and former selectman Troy Clarkson. They're here doing "man on the street" interviews about the high school that will air on FCTV-13. They had interviewed me when I was at the North Falmouth post office - a much nicer day than today, which is cold and damp. There's not much foot traffic right now, so Troy and Kevin move on to another post office.
It isn't long before one of the postal workers pops her head out the door inquiring about why I'm loitering here. She seems to relax when I explain myself and give her a "palm card" - a copy of my literature. Post offices are natural gathering places for political campaigning.
There are a few tourists who happen by, and some summer residents who are not registered to vote here. Occasionally someone refuses a card, but the reception is generally good. A couple of folks tell me that they will be supporting another candidate. I remind them that there are two seats, and they acknowledge that but still show no interest; "bullet" voters, probably.
For the uninitiated, bullet voting is a practice where, in a multi-candidate race, you vote for only one candidate. It has the effect of denying the other candidates a vote. Some encourage the practice, but I can't see why anyone would give up their right to vote by leaving a box blank. I've ancestors who fought for this right, so if I don't like the choices on the ballot, I nearly always write in a candidate. I've voted for Mickey Mouse a few times; good fellow.
Eric, the owner of Pie in the Sky comes by and asks a few questions. He mentions the plan to widen Water Street and eliminate street parking. I don't know much about it, so I ask him to share his perspective.
He acknowledges that there have been some accidents because the street is so narrow, but suggests that the width helps keep speeds down and widening it will only encourage traffic to move faster. Eric's concerned also about losing parking - which is quite limited in Woods Hole.
I'm reminded of the situation that East Falmouth faced not long ago, and I share this with Eric. For years, Route 28 in East Falmouth didn't get repaved because the state wanted to dramatically widen the road. The residents of East Falmouth resisted because it would turn what is now a main street into a de-facto highway.
These may be different villages and different roads, but there's a common thread here; something that can unite us if we're willing to see it that way.
Webster Woods is Eric's other issue, and I share both my thoughts that the Woods should be spared, and my concerns about the proposed alternative on Oshman Way. Frankly, I'm not comfortable with either alternative, probably because neither option sounds all that good.
"Good enough" is not good enough; there has to be a better way.
Around 10am my campaign manager, Carol, shows up. Campaigning can be tiring, and it is the enthusiasm of supporters like Carol which keeps me going.
It turns out to be a good morning. Most of the folks are positive or non-committal. The only truly negative comment of the day came from a woman who, upon hearing that I had been on the conservation commission, angrily walked away while saying something disparaging about the commission. Apparently she considered "conservation commission" to be a four-letter word.
One gentleman expressed support for my candidacy because I post my town meeting votes. Two others asked for signs; one offered to volunteer and promised to send a check. More than a few raised concerns about the high school and the lack of accountability. For those folks, I shared my thoughts about the need for an audit and an investigation.
By noon, it's been a good - albeit cold - morning and Carol and I are chilled to the bone. The view from the post office is grand - you can see the ferries come and go and Naushon Island is just across the Hole. However, it's a reminder that we're right on the water here - weather and all.
We abandon our places outside the post office for a hot lunch at Pie in the Sky and more talk, this time with a gentleman about the bike path and getting the new, northerly part done. The bread pudding with rum hard sauce was excellent.
Some folks seem to think that Woods Hole is another country, but I suspect that they've never bothered to actually talk with the residents in this part of town. There are good people here; I like this place.
I run home to finish answering Troy Clarkson's questions. Carol stops by to offer some comments and suggestions. We review the plan - there's only about two weeks left in the campaign - and go over the progress so far.
While I'm home, I field a few calls from supporters; one wanted a sign, another wanted to vent. Apparently some folks have a problem with me - but they've never met or spoken with me; perception sometimes trumps reality.
Becky (my wife) and I head out; I need to go to Staples, check the post office box, and do some door-to-door.
We get the mail from the post office. There's a lot of support for the campaign - checks, requests for signs, etc. One gentleman sends a check with a note that this is his first ever contribution to a political campaign. He's not the only one to say this to me.
After the post office, I go door-to-door in a North Falmouth neighborhood. The responses range from definite, enthusiastic voters to the non-committal. No negatives. A few folks ask questions about the high school and dredging near public docks.
The most memorable response was from a gentleman who exclaimed, "I was just reading your resume in the newspaper." Earlier this year, an old hand in politics reminded me that by running for selectman, I'm actually applying for a job. I took that to heart when I was writing my responses for the League of Women Voters' questions.
After a couple of hours at this, we head home and quickly change into more formal attire. My sister-in-law, Kelly Druley, is being inducted into the Falmouth High School Athletic Hall of Fame tonight. On the way I call another supporter who wanted three signs. Time is short, so I'll have to drop those off tomorrow.
There are some familiar faces at the banquet and expressions of support, but I'm not wearing my button tonight. I'm here to support my family, not campaign.
Back at home it's time to finish those Clarkson questions. The Cape Cod Times wanted answers in 50 words or less, but those were academic questions. Troy is asking questions that require some serious introspection.
It's past midnight when I finally get that email off to Troy. I never did get to Staples. I guess that will be tomorrow...
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