Monday I went to a LatinasRepresent conference at UMass Boston. It was really inspiring to hear from all these women, Latina women, who came together to support each other in helping to determine their own futures. We heard from State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz who told us about her first unsuccessful and then successful run for office. We heard from a Latina woman in RI that is running for Secretary of State and a woman in western MA who was born in Puerto Rico and just ran for State Representative. This last woman was not successful but was seemingly undeterred. While there I also had the chance to meet Tito Jackson. Super nice guy. I was surprised to see he is so young! Two of our sons live next door to him and I had been looking forward to making his acquaintance.
Monday I also found out my opponent is not interested or not available, I am not sure which, to participate in a candidates forum. I am very saddened by this as it is a loss for all of us. The voters need to understand who they have to choose from on November 4. If anyone reading this is so inclined, please ask Mr. Stanley to reconsider and make the time for a forum.
Most days I was out knocking on a few to many doors. Saying hello and introducing myself to people when they answered the doors, leaving my flyer when they did not. Very close to everyone has been really nice to me, whether or not they have any intentions of voting for me. A couple people told me they weren't interested but they are very much the minority. I would say, certainly not all, but the vast majority of people I meet tell me they will give me their vote. Now if I can just meet a cool 15,000 people over the next 4 weeks...
Tuesday night I went to two events in Waltham. Great turnout at both events. I went to a meeting of Local Waltham First http://walthamlocalfirst.org. This is a new group formed to support local businesses. I learned about some interesting businesses in Waltham about which I knew nothing. And I got to meet the man behind DiscoverWalthamMA! That was definitely cool. Then I went to a local meeting at the Waltham Community Center to generate input on the community needs for the local parks. I was impressed by how many people came to have their say, particularly the number of young people, it really was quite nice to see. There was a very tall man named Bobby Martin that I didn't know but I figured he was 'someone'. He spoke very eloquently and passionately about the parks, the need for community pride in the parks and the need for parent involvement as well as having equipment at the parks to engage parents as well as children. I was not at all surprised the next day when I was telling my son about the meeting. All he could say was, 'you met Bobby Martin? He is mad big, did you shake his hand and see how big it is?" Sadly I did not get that chance.
On Wednesday night we were at the Mad Raven on Main St in Waltham. Sadly I don't think anyone specifically came to see me. On the plus side, I talked to many people there and I am confident I collected at least a couple of votes. One man didn't have much to say while there but followed up with an email asking about my stance on Veterans. I will include my response to him below. Another man told me he was going to vote for my opponent but after we talked for a few minutes, I think I converted him. I will write about him separately under the title of 'Eddie'.
Thursday I met with the editor of the Waltham Tribune, Paul Crocetti. What a nice guy. We talked about my campaign and also about creative ways to help get the word out about both our campaigns. In the afternoon I started putting out signs in Lincoln yards. Today is Monday and each day I put out a few more. I am super excited that Senator Susan Fargo said she would like to have a sign to put in her yard. Actually, I am super excited that so many people I know and people I don't know have generously offered to have signs in their yards. Unfortunately one of my signs was taken down by someone unknown. That is kind of sad.
Friday I worked the street corner in Waltham. I held signs for me and Martha Coakley at the corner of Main and Moody. Here is a picture of me with Kelly Durkee-Erwin. Kelly was holding signs for Martha Coakley and Senator Markey.
Saturday was more signs and door knocking. I stopped by to see a man I will call Steve. I had met him a week or two ago and he told me he would vote for me if he could but he can't because he served five years in prison and is a convicted felon. I looked up the regulations and brought him a copy which clearly state that he can vote if he is not currently incarcerated. He wasn't home so I left him the information along with a voter registration card, and, of course, my literature. Another women I had met previously asked for copies of my literature and a few signs for some friends of hers. She also asked if her 14 year old grandson can help in anyway as he would like to learn more about the political process. Music to my ears! Look for him holding signs with me!
I received the best message when I got home. A woman from Waltham wanted to know how she could donate to my campaign. My first request from a complete unknown! She saw my sign and wanted in on the campaign. I met her on Sunday and she asked for multiple copies of my flyer and asked me to put a sign in her yard. One voter at a time.
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My response to the person that emailed asking what I mean by "Take good care of veterans" Hello,
Thank you for writing! So few people do.
It was great meeting you last night as well. I get kind of
intimidated going up to people at the bar but people are nice to me
and once in a while I run into a potential voter like yourself.
I live in Lincoln, moved here 15 years ago and I am an Independent,
which makes running kind of tough as I have no party backing. But,
that is fine, it is what I chose, though in the future I might
re-think that choice.
My 'take good care of veterans' means just that. I think it is
unconscionable that we send people to fight for our country, protect
our country, serve our country and then when they are done with their
tour of duty we, at least in many cases, turn our backs on them. I
have certainly spoken to many veterans that are completely satisfied
and feel their needs have been and are being met. I have also heard
from many where that is not the case. Many of the issues I am
concerned about surround veteran's needs as in housing, mental health
(PTSD), substance use, education, jobs. Veterans, in my opinion,
should have priority treatment in healthcare, education, jobs and
housing. I don't know exactly how to turn the whole system around but
I, well I grew up when lots of people were coming back from Vietnam
and I knew veterans in my area (I grew up in Attleboro) that were
either homeless or next door to it. One man couldn't have a
relationship with a woman because his PTSD always got in the way and
he was afraid he would hurt her. One that needed and couldn't get
dental care and many that had substance use issues and many that had
minimal education and menial jobs, if any job. I have to believe that
at least in some cases those substances were coping mechanisms and
their economic situations were a direct result of the time they
served.
Please go to my website www.sharonantia.com and/or like my FB page
https://www.facebook.com/
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