Small Town Politics

I have no idea why I chose pumpkin for the title: maybe some association with hayseeds and farming? Anyway.

I grew up in this town. I've been living here on and off for forty years. As with so many things in life, I find myself first on the outside snarking, then on the inside with Very Strong Views. At the moment my friend is running for the Board of Ed. Nastiness has ensued: endorsements were pored over. People were angry about various blocs forming. People made fun of outsiders deciding to join the fray. People made sarcastic comments during Candidates Night.

One guy, whom I'd heard nice things about, apparently decided to take the George W. route: presented himself as a bluff'n'hearty good ol' boy who coaches sports and wants to keep the administration "lean and mean." Because that's what I want in a school district: mean administration. That and he had a big smile on his face, which could have been nerves but seems to have played as smug.

It's always fascinating to watch the political process writ small. It's all right there, even for a volunteer job like this.

Carol, I think I'll fall back on your "elk" analysis.

Oh yeah: the League of Women Voters moderator was a complete boob who collected questions on cards and then read them off in order, so there were like twelve questions on math and none on special education. When I spoke to her afterwards, she was apologetic but also said that other people didn't get their issues addressed either, and to different people different things seemed important. Which was kinda sorta true and kinda sorta a stupid thing to say.