Undefeated and Unscored Upon

It’s Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania! Time to do your civic duty and shuffle off to the polls! Chances are you won’t need to stand in line very long. People don’t seem to want to vote any more. But people sure do still like to complain.  Vote because your way of life depends on it.  It really does.

My dad instilled, in me, the importance of voting. I remember, as a young child, going with him to our polling place, Slatington Hose Company Number 1. It was  better known as the Hose House at 4th and Church Streets.  He’d take me behind the voting curtain with him and he would explain what he was doing and why he was choosing who got his vote. I can still hear the sounds of the clicking levers and the curtain swooshing open.  I miss those old voting machines. My dad always remarked on his civic pride after voting. I felt it too even though I had no vote.  It was in these moments, with pride in my dad and in my country, that I became a Democrat.

I was an office holder! I ran for Borough Councilman in Slatington. Not only did I run….but I won!   I am proud to say that not only am I undefeated as a candidate, but am also unscored upon!  That is no Trumpian exaggeration. I won my primary, 43 votes to 0 and the general election, 112 to 0. You guessed it, I ran unopposed.  It was difficult, even in the ’80s, to get people to run in municipal elections. It is even more difficult today. In fact, when I joined council there were nine members. Today’s Slatington Borough Council only has five members, because people just don’t want to serve. I’ll save some of my experiences as a councilman for another blog. It was quite the adventure!

I am sort of a member of a family political dynasty. My big sister, Jan, ran several times, winning every time, for Tax Collector in the Borough of Lehighton.  I was very proud of her even though she ran as a ….gasp! Republican.   Haha. I know, this is a non-political blog.  But, come on….it’s Election Day!

I hope you will choose to vote on this beautiful Tuesday. The weather is perfect for an election.  I wish your candidates good luck, unless of course they are running against mine! Get out there and get some of that civic pride. Make my dad, and me, proud.