OK, I've gone and done it. I signed on the dotted line to run for city council in my Indiana city. Currently, the Republican mayor presides over a 100% GOP council which rubber stamps the usual litany of bad things: roads through wetlands, developments that hurt us, sweetheart deals for friends ... while ignoring so many of the initiatives that could make this city great. We're above average in intelligence and wherewithal, with a university here, too, and I believe it's time to get busy.
I'm running because I'm mad, because I want to either shut up or make a difference, because people asked me to, and because here at dKos the mantra wisely is that if we Dems don't run at the local and state levels, we're letting the foxes remain in charge of our henhouses.
I need your help, and it's easy. Please take a minute to be one of my esteemed campaign advsiors (now jump ....)
I need some help. Not money. I need a web site pretty fast, for instance. Can anyone here recommend a way for me to do that to get a professional, reliable site and design without the HTML stuff (which I do not know)? There's a yahoo service that looks easy (yahoo web hosting for small business), but I hesitate to jump without checking in with you guys.
Also, for you marketing types: My first name is Julia and my last name is a French name that no one can pronounce or remember very easily (if you need to know it to proceed ask in the comments and I will tell). I think I should emphasize the JULIA part of this equation. So what's the site name? ELECT-JULIA? JuliaForCouncil? Something more fun - Julia Won't Fool Ya? Also, my platform is about environmental concerns, open space, energy, better development, honest and open government. If you have any thoughts on this aspect of building name recognition, let me know. On the ballot, I know the last name would be off-putting, but people could easily focus on "JULIA."
I have no idea what my chances are. They're not horrible: Democratic candidates have appeal right now, and I'm not without allies. But let me tell you, the "big boys" won't be interested in sharing their city council platform stage (oh, yeah -- it's all men. Seven white Republican men.) I am willing to run, and can handle losing if I can only introduce some truth into the process.
I'd just like to get a handle on the basics, like the web site. Any help you can give will be absolutely appreciated.
My fellow dKos members, thank you in advance for everything.