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Some thoughts the day after elections
I really enjoy elections, because I'm in favor of democracy. Since I write
this column in advance, I don't know which Pacifica City Council candidates
came out winners yesterday. It used to be I could predict the winners in
advance, but times change. Also my personal likes and dislikes come into
play. Some of yesterday's contestants are good and likable people with whom
I happen to strongly disagree on certain issues.
Also, I enjoy the election process itself, which is why I was on the road
yesterday morning at 5:30, heading for Daly City to serve as a Double
Inspector. At 8:30 or 9 p.m., assuming all went well, I headed for Daly
City City Hall to deliver the voted ballots, only then heading for home.
I've been an Inspector in Pacifica a number of times in past elections. I
know a lot of voters. I also know every street in town. A few years ago I
was asked to fill in at two Portola Valley precincts when the regular
Double Inspector broke his leg the Saturday before election. The precinct
judges there were really nice people, a pleasure to work with. I also
realized I could be the most helpful if I offered to be an emergency backup
Inspector. If nobody has to pull out at the last minute and I don't work a
precinct, that's just fine. However, there always seems to be a last minute
problem somewhere. Since Portola Valley, I've filled in in East Palo Alto,
Burlingame, Redwood City, and Foster City. The one consistent theme has
been the fine people who've served as judges with me. There are a few
clinkers out there, but if I had to choose 2000 individuals in this county
for good citizenship awards, I could do a lot worse than just nominating
the entire roster of precinct officials top to bottom. It would shortcut a
lot of painstaking checking, and the results would be just about as good.
Since I write ahead of the election, I'm very curious how Measure E fared.
By the time you read this, I'll know the answer. I suspect it failed. I
suspect the smear artists have had their way. Mud sticks.
The harm done to the city of Pacifica by those who won't allow any
development that doesn't meet their every whim is almost incalculable.
Not that Trammell Crow couldn't have done a better job. They spent a lot of
money and effort to put out slick and colorful advertising. They were in
serious need of local citizen help, but they didn't bother to seek it out.
I knew they were in trouble when I saw their return address was "Eureka
Square Drive." The address is "Eureka Square", folks. Money is no
substitute for votes. And votes come from neighbor talking to neighbor and
spouses talking to each other.
I've looked at numerous street indexes in polling places all over this
county. If one neighbor votes, it's likely the person next door will do it
too. If a husband votes, the wife will be in later. If a parent votes, the
adult child will show up as well. I'm always happy to give a small child an
"I voted" sticker when they come in to the precinct with a parent. In 10 or
20 years they'll remember to vote. When you bring your child in, he or she
sees democracy in action. You might be just doing it for convenience, but
what you've done is very important indeed. The parent whose child sees him
vote is a parent being an excellent role model.
Paul Azevedo has followed Pacifica elections for the past
38 years. His e mail address is Paul@thereactor.net.
Check his website at www.thereactor.net.
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