May 15, 2005
Behind Every Candidate...
Laketa Cole replaces sound bytes with substance
By J.J. Lippincott
Guest Columnist
As Campaign Manager for Councilmember Laketa Cole’s re-election campaign (Officially titled “Citizens for Laketa Cole”), it is my hope to show the citizens of Cincinnati what a positive difference Laketa has made and will continue to make in our city.
One of the first things a candidate and campaign staff must do is organize and package the candidate’s achievements so that voters know why they should vote for the candidate. During our initial planning meetings for the campaign, we had a chance to reflect on Laketa’s many successes during the last two years. Her Pool Pass Program raised money to donate pool passes and swimsuits for 1200 inner city youth. She also successfully initiated the Neighborhood Business District Support Fund to support the revitalization of the city’s 34 neighborhood business districts, and presided over the passage of the city’s first Zoning Code update in 40 years. All of these are excellent reasons to vote for Laketa.
|
|
However, the best reason to vote for Laketa is that she is not content with her third place finish in 2003, nor is she content to coast by on her prior achievements at City Council. Laketa is one hundred percent driven to make a difference in Cincinnati. Of course, our focus right now is on crime. We have already put together a Crime Plan, which we believe can reduce violent crime by 20% in the city’s ten most violent neighborhoods (available at www.laketacole.com).
In the days to come, we will be releasing additional portions of her platform; each focusing on a few specific changes that we believe will have the best chance of getting our city back to where it needs to be. Neither Laketa nor I believe in running a campaign on hollow sound bites and vague policy statements (although unfortunately they are necessary evils to attract sufficient press attention). If you hear a sound bite from Laketa, know that you can visit our campaign website to view the substance and specifics behind the proposal. |
As far as our grassroots campaign, we want to be the hardest working team out there. We have already held our Kick-Off fundraiser (although we could certainly use more money!), but we are still gathering the signatures needed to run. We have already put together an ambitious plan to personally contact as many residents as possible. We are not writing off or conceding any part of the city because we believe that all residents basically want the same thing: safe, livable neighborhoods. Laketa has the ideas and the energy to make this a reality for our neighborhoods.
Of course, any grassroots campaign is only as good as the many volunteers who dedicate their time to the cause of the candidate. We are fortunate to have many great volunteers who believe in Laketa. Our volunteers’ backgrounds and skill sets range from lawyers to high school students, but all are hard working. One of the tricks is coordinating the many volunteer activities occurring simultaneously, and we are always trying to improve our organizing in this regard.
All in all, a Council campaign is an exciting chance to connect with the diverse people of Cincinnati, and to articulate your vision, hopes and aspirations for the city. Of course the goal of any campaign is to win, but if your campaign isn’t truly motivated by helping residents, neighborhoods and the city reach their full potential then you will ultimately have failed.
"The Podium" is Queen City Forum Magazine's opinion page. Guest writers and staff writers offer their take on social, political and life issues. "The Podium" will feature a new "Behind Every Candidate" each week on Sunday going to the election on November 8th, 2005. The Mayoral Primary will be held on September 13th.
Contact Information
· podium@queencityforum.com
|
