So, you want to be an elected official?
If you heard some of the stories I hear, or you see some of the things during campaign season that I see, it will probably make even more people answer that question with a big, “no, thanks.”
Unless you are living under a rock, as the old saying goes, there is a very big election day set for this Saturday, Oct. 14.
We have races for state and parish positions, including all the big local ones in St. Tammany Parish, starting with parish president and going on down to the Parish Council.
The interest in the elections seems to be higher than I can remember, and that would be going back quite a while for me. It’s due to a number of especially important issues, starting with the library book controversy, then going to the very big concern about the so-called affluent St. Tammany Parish community, that supports the government with some of the highest tax rates in the state, running out of money.
I find the election season very interesting, so I stay involved and close to candidates at all levels, and I hear plenty of stories about the things they go through, not to mention the things I see as I work the local beat.
It’s often been said that serving in public office is mostly a thankless job anyway, and I do believe that’s true. Like so many other things in life, we don’t usually get a ton of “good job” or “attaboy” remarks that come our way when we do something good. Instead, we always hear about problems, things we didn’t do right, or the way someone disagrees with a decision we made.
It does make it easy to see why there are comments wishing more people would run for office. It’s not any big paying job, nor does it come with a ton of accolades. Yet, thankfully, there are enough people who do like the idea of serving in government, and for that we should appreciate those who do.
I might have a little more of that appreciation than others when I see what many public officials go through, not just once they are elected, but especially the grind they go through during the campaign season.
The parish president’s race will be a tight one for sure with two strong candidates facing off in Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer and incumbent Mike Cooper. Both know they need to pick up a lot of votes on the side of the parish that is not their backyard.
Greg told me he has gone to the west side of the parish as much as three or four times a week to meet people, and yes, he is still walking neighborhoods trying to make personal connections. The mayor told me he has lost over 20 pounds from walking so many miles and you have to know that can only help him since people still like seeing you face-to-face.
Greg said his phone rings at least 40 times a day, not counting text messages, and he has attended five to 10 events on many days in his hopes of winning the election.
I was covering an event two weeks ago at the home of Gran and Billie Semmes, where the first ever Polo Night was held, late in the evening. I was about to leave at nearly 9:30 and who do I see strolling up to the crowd, clearly there to shake a few hands and work as hard as possible for a few more votes? Bob Owen, running for District #1 Senate.
I kind of laughed when I saw him and mentioned the late hour he was still campaigning, but it was clear he was one of many people keeping late hours, running all over their district for votes, and doing whatever it took to win.
How about all these fundraisers we see? Candidates had to make dozens of events like that, man a booth for three to four hours, and try to keep a smile on their face as they probably hear lots of criticism about government. Doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.
And then this Saturday, which is election day, you will see every candidate on local street corners starting at 6 a.m., waving their sign, shaking hands and pleading for whatever few final votes, they can get.
Yes, all these folks willing to run for office do a lot more than most of you will ever see. That’s why I appreciate those who are willing to serve, and it’s why I hope each of you will make the effort to go out and vote this Saturday.
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.