It's been four years already?!

If you look at the date of my last post, you’ll see it was written just over two months after the 2022 school board election. Pausing the blog back then was a deliberate move. Post-election, my readership took a nosedive, so I migrated to Twitter and Facebook to meet people where they were. I used Instagram sparingly. 

Fast forward to today. Twitter rebranded to X, and let’s just say it successfully pivoted to attracting the absolute opposite of healthy, constructive dialogue about public education. It became less of a town hall and more of a digital shouting match. So, bye-bye X; my peace of mind thanks me. Facebook isn't always a whole lot better these days, either. But telling my school trustee journey in pictures? That actually appealed to me. So, I’ve officially leaned into Instagram .

Then, just this week, a second thing happened. We got the news that local flyer delivery is wrapping up at the end of this month—which also marks the sad demise of the Community Review East. For several years, I’ve loved writing a monthly-ish column as the community correspondent for River Park South. It was the perfect excuse to wander around RPS, meet people, and tell local stories. Plus, as school trustees, it gave us a dedicated space to highlight what was happening through regular ward reports.

With the Review printing its final run, that local outlet vanishes. It took me about one minute to realize how much I was going to miss the writing— sharing, celebrating, and offering a few thoughts—all in the name of building and connecting our community.

So, exactly 1,293 days later... I’m baaaaacccckkkk! (Did you miss me? Did you even know I was gone?)

For now, this is a re-election blog. We’ll see where the dust settles after October 28. It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since my last post, but this blog actually started all the way back in early 2010 when I was preparing for my very first run. Sixteen years of local school board stories... honestly, there’s a book in here somewhere. But for now, let's start with a blog post.

  

Happy New Year!

In some ways it seems like school board elections were last week, when in reality almost 10 weeks have gone by.  The random and spur-of-the-moment conversations that walking in community during a campaign brings have been layered on to while at school and community events- always a welcome opportunity to hear what is on the mind of the folks we serve.  

I continue to appreciate the students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators in Louis Riel School Division who make time to chat, offer valued insight and perspective, and ask good and important questions about our governance work.  I value our conversations- even (and maybe especially) the tough ones. 

The new year will see us continue to grapple with the effects of a global pandemic even while we look ahead to the many opportunities that are before us.  The bright future we want for everyone in our community will be articulated in a new multi-year strategic plan, our budget conversations, and the vision we have for everyone to excel as caring, confident, capable, and resilient life-long learners who contribute to a democratic and sustainable work. 

Be well. Please make time for the people and experiences that fill your heart and bring joy to your life. 

I wish you and yours a healthy, happy and prosperous 2023.  Happy New Year!
 

 “The future depends on what we do in the present.” – Mahatma Gandhi

'Twas the night before the election, and time to say thanks.

 

• to everyone who assisted by walking (and walking) up driveways and stairs, in wind, rain, cold and heat to ensure information about who I am and what I'm about made it into mailboxes. 
• to the folks who provided feedback on my flyer, and to Albert and Carol at Dycom for their patience and expertise.
• to everyone who asked for a sign. 
• to Bev for a very long walk on a beautiful Sunday morning!! and for moral support and encouragement when needed the most- and not just during elections.
• to Nikolas for encouragement and support (from across town this time), and for all of the conversations we've had and continue to have about local politics and the future of Winnipeg.
• to Pam and the 'minis' for their smiles as we walked the far corner of the ward (especially so early in the day!!) and to Paige for doing it with a skip in her step and a broad repetoire of songs. 
• to Bailey for the conversations that have provided valued insight and perspective, always infused with good humour and laughter. 
• to Linn for the photos; I'm not photogenic but she made me look half-way decent!
• to those of you I've been texting and messaging like mad as election day got closer-  you know who you are and I appreciate your common sense, logic, calm influence and really good and positive vibes!

And thank you to Eve, who hands down walked the most number of steps only after the number I took.  By our last flyer drop, this kid could deliver a street effortlessly and like a pro, spot a 'no flyers' sign on a mail box from the street, navigate a mapped route, and put stakes on a sign with ease. We covered a lot of ground, in steps and in conversation, and it was fun to get to know the youngest member of the 'team' a bit better.

One. More. Sleep. 

Informing your school trustee vote

This is the week when, collectively, voters in school division wards across Manitoba will elect their representation to school boards to serve a four year mandate.  

When we are handed a ballot we will be invited to 'vote for one trustee', OR 'vote for up to two/three/four trustees' depending on how many are elected where we reside.   

Doing some research is important, and mindful that many have voted at advance polls, here is how to inform your vote for school trustee:

• visit the City of Winnipeg election 2022 website to read what candidates have shared in response to an invitation to do so*

• visit Winnipeg Election 2022 for another source of information, again provided by candidates in response to an invitation to do so*

• call candidates or send them an e-mail and ask the questions that are on your mind

• if they are on social media, visit their platforms

• if you live in LRSD, all candidates were invited to a forum, which can be viewed at LRSD.TV 

• many teachers associations sent out candidate questionnaires which were posted on websites and social media platforms.

Visit the Manitoba School Boards election site for more information. 

Three more sleeps until election day!!

*includes mayoral and city councillor candidate responses as well.

Brought to you by the letters LRTA and ATC

Props to the Louis Riel Teachers Association for organizing the first ever (as far as I know) LRSD trustee candidate forum this evening, and to all those that attended in person and remotely.  Students in the ATC Broadcast Media program were set up to live-stream the event, and students in the ATC Cake and Pastry program provided post-forum treats. 

That's it, that's the post; might be my shortest one ever!

9 days until the election. 

Chance of showers, with a trustee forum a certainty.

 

It was bound to happen eventually.  After successive warm and sunny days over the long weekend, we are likely to see rain tomorrow.  It's been a great run so far weather wise for campaign 2022!

My day started and ended in the company of some LRSD folks- talking, sharing, listening and learning, with lots of laughter as well.  These are some of my greatest teachers and they have patience for my questions, always broadening my perspective and understanding with their answers and insight. 

Inbetween, I was walking Ward 3.  There were prolonged conversations along the way that allowed me further insight into what is on the minds of voters as it pertains to public education, but that naturally segued into municipal and provincial politics. 

 

The Louis Riel Teachers Association is hosting a candidate forum on October 17, which I will be participating in. 

They are working to live-stream as well, so connect with them on Twitter for updates. 

14 days until the election.

Gleanings from the campaign trail

In running my 4th campaign there are things that I continue to be grateful for; shared sidewalks and driveways are two of them.  Short driveways are another.  Only one or two steps up to the mailbox also makes the list.  

If I had a nickel for everyone person who has asked if I'm part of the Nemeth Diamonds Nemeth's I'd be sitting pretty. Well, not rich but defiantly able to buy myself a grande pumpkin spice latte. I'm sure we're connected on some distant branch of the family tree.  Clearly they have lots of happy customers out this way. 

Last Sunday was a +20,000 step day.  The weather was beautiful and I was motivated but I sure paid for it on Monday; my back, hips, quads and feet were screaming from pounding the pavement. Did I learn from overdoing it? Yup; the steps have decreased each day but I suspect they will creep up over the weekend with some nicer weather on the way and the pain in my joints almost gone. Plus I still have a few thousand houses to get to. 

Canvassing at seniors and retirement residences is great fun. I hope when I'm 80 or 90 I'm as feisty as some of the folks I've met are.  Today I was thanked for being a school trustee, and then peppered with excellent questions by the grandma of an LRSD alumnus. 

And the Halloween decorations!!  I've seen some yards that look like they were set up by professionals. 

I've spent some time looking at other campaigns by school trustee candidates all over town; it's important to learn about the folks that aspire to elected governance.  Lots of good info here: https://www.winnipeg.ca/clerks/election/election-2022/Candidates/ and here: https://www.winnipegelection.ca/

Have a really nice Thanksgiving weekend!

19 days until the election.