Election Hangover - Looking Forward

The civic election is over.  The top picture is some members of Team Thompson.  We were not successful in electing Michael. I didn't predict what an emotional hangover the disappoint would cause.  Michael is doing appropriate things to bring closure and take positives from the experience.  I am sure Sherri Rollins will do a good job representing the interests of the Ward and will be an asset to Council.  While working on Michael's campaign, I made a lot of friends and deepened some other friendships.  It is easy to display character when times are good.  No challenge at all.  Displaying character and ethics when times are bad is a challenge.  Through out the highs and lows, Michael always displayed ethics and character that made me proud.  I came to admire and respect 5 more candidates that put their name forward as candidates in the Fort Rouge - East Fort Garry Ward.  If you are a math whiz, you realize that this leaves one candidate that I could not respect.  When a candidate is unsuccessful, they usually post something on their social media congratulating the successful candidate, thanking their team, and something positive that they learned from the experience.  The candidate that I don't respect took the longest to post a message on her social media.  Not surprising, she didn't wish the successful candidate well, and it was all about me, me, me.  Continuing to display the immaturity she displayed throughout the campaign.  I would have posted something about that but she has blocked me from making comments on her social media.  Even in defeat, she still thinks she knows everything and has nothing to learn.  Maybe I don't admire her because I see a younger me in her.  I used to lead a charmed life.  Then, I went through hell.  There are lots of benefits to going through hell.  You gain perspective.  You become humble.  You learn what is and is a problem.  You don't have time for petty drama.  You don't create it and you don't participate in it.  

The second picture has nothing to do with the election but is of my beautiful daughter and my perfect grandson.   That is my way of getting over the disappointment.  I have been looking at pictures of all that I have to be grateful for.  It makes me smile.  

Which takes me to the Ward I live in.  Scott Gillingham won handily.  In his victory speech, he was too gracious to Councillor Dobson.  He did not support the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre being located at the abandoned Vimy Arena site.  One of my friends, a supporter of the Centre, gave him credit for atleast sticking to his principles even though he knew it would probably cost him the election.  I don't give him any credit.  

When John McCain was running for President of the United States against Barack Obama, there was "the tea party" movement that were trying to monger fear about Obama.  Saying that he wasn't born in America, his middle name was Hussein so he was a terrorist, etc, etc.  Senator McCain could have said nothing, but he chose to take the high road.  He complimented Obama over and over and called him a good man who I disagree with on many topics.  He did everything to diffuse the fear.  That is how you display leadership and character.  It didn't cost him the election.  The reason he lost the election was because he made a critical mistake in choosing a running mate.  

Shawn Dobson had a similar opportunity.  The Bruce Oake Recovery Centre locating at the old Vimy Arena site makes sense from every perspective.  It is basically the perfect location.  It simply is a win-win for everyone.  There is no downside for locating the Centre on this grounds.  The force that was against this facility approached Shawn Dobson with their fears.  He could have shown leadership and addressed their fears and shown them that they were not true.  He did not.  Instead, he fed their fire.  

Then, throughout the campaign, he had further opportunities to do the right thing, to reverse his position.  He did not.  What he did was change his message.  He started talking about a back room deal which was ludicrous.  Then, he talked about green space.  Another moot point.  Then, he talked about using the space for recreation even though the arena had been closed for 5 years and it was going to used for recreation, it would have.  He never changed his message, he just changed the nuance.  

Also, in the race was Kurt Morton.  He was only in the race to get some votes to show a political party what he is capable of so that he might be recruited in a provincial or federal election.  I hope he didn't get enough votes for any party to fall for this.  Well, with the exception of Stephen Fletcher's Manitoba Party.  They are welcome to each other.  

As for Bowman the Showman, I learned a great deal from watching him during this election.  The first time he has ever really been made accountable.  I didn't like a lot of it.  I hope the media puts more pressure on him during this term.  I understand why they gave him so much latitude, after all, he was cleaning up the legacy of Katz.  But, even if the media keeps giving him an easy ride, I now know enough to start questioning him.  And, after all, the world includes Winnipeg and #spitfiretakesontheworld.