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AUGUST 2006 - NEWSLETTER NO. 1
Welcome! Welcome to the first edition of the campaign newsletter. I hesitate to call it the Sheila Simon campaign because the campaign has involved a huge number of people already. Tom Redmond, a retired city planner, is the campaign manager, Gayle Pesavento organized a great fundraiser, Linda Curtis is our newsletter producer, Gail Thomas is keeping track of the campaign funds, Jenn Pellow is the wizard behind our volunteer e-mail list and our voters' list, her husband Alexander set up the website, and I could go on an on. Lots of folks are offering to help because they feel they can have an impact on government at this level. I'm excited to be a part of that.
I would like you to be involved in the campaign too. You can do that in many ways. Make sure you are registered to vote, and vote -- that's the most basic part of the process. You can also talk with friends and neighbors about why it's important to vote in local elections. This newsletter has information about other events that you can help with. If you like biking or golf, read on. We can use your help. If you like the local band St. Stephen's Blues, we've got a date for your calendar. So, I just want to say, “Thanks!” to everyone. If you're not on our e-mail list, you can sign up on this site. We'll keep the newsletters and other information coming your way. You can click here to get information on where you can send in a campaign contribution and learn why I am limiting contributions to no more than $50. As always, feel free to contact me. My e-mail address is sheila@sheilasimon.com. Or you can call me at 549-4152, my home number, which is in the phone book as well. Hope to see you around! - Sheila Bike the Dale Come join Sheila on Saturday, September 16 for a fun and informative bicycle ride through Carbondale. Cyclists will gather at City Hall beginning at 8:00 a.m. and will depart at 8:30 for a leisurely spin through our fair city’s neighborhoods and parks. Along the way, the group will stop at points of interest, including the Buckminster Fuller dome house, the Green Earth Wetlands, Evergreen Park, and the riders will have the opportunity experience what makes Carbondale a truly great city for cycling. You do not need extensive cycling experience to come along. All you need is a bicycle (any type will do!) and a helmet and the desire to spend a nice morning riding. See you there. For more information, email Mike Magnuson: mike@lummox.org FUNdraiser Picnic Gathering On July 1st over 200 “friends” of Sheila gathered at Turley Park for a picnic lunch and several fun activities. For $2.50 supporters enjoyed a selection of grilled items, chips, watermelon and home-made desserts. Kid’s activities included face painting and campaign sign and button making. Attendees were able to sign up to participate in a series of Issue Forums designed to find out what voters believe to be important issues facing the City of Carbondale. Edgar Montano entertained the gathering with his guitar and vocals while people enjoyed their lunch and visited with one another.
Campaign t-shirts were unveiled at the event and were well received by the crowd as 77 shirts were purchased at $10 each. The campaign collected an additional $2,229.50 in lunch receipts and a number of donations, including many at the individual maximum of $50. During Sheila’s brief address, she emphasized the importance of sharing ideas and bringing all segments of the City together to discuss its future. Sheila talked about getting more people familiar with city services and the city budget, so that we are better able to make the hard decisions about spending.
Thanks to Gayle Pesavento and the 45 other volunteers who assisted in making the event a very successful one.
Got Issues? In the course of the campaign so far I have been struck by how many people are interested in contributing their good ideas to Carbondale government. The ideas range from business development to city budget plans to environmental responsibility. I have enjoyed learning from so many people. With your help, I would like to put a little more structure to this informal listening process. I would like to have everyone who has signed up to help in the campaign have the opportunity to give me your best ideas for Carbondale. I would like to convene some groups, over coffee, over the internet, or both, to discuss some particular issue areas. Each group could come up with a list of recommendations, including recommended reading for me. I see this as a way to get some wisdom from each of you in areas of your expertise. Cherie Watson has volunteered to help me set up the issue groups, so expect an e-mail from us. In the meantime, think about an area where you want to have some input and recruit a friend or two to participate as well. Thanks for the ideas you have contributed so far, and for even more to come. - Sheila Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Update and Event Announcement On Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at Carbondale City Hall at 5:30 p.m., the Sheila Simon campaign for mayor will host a gathering to announce the beginning of the campaign’s petition drive for mayor. The campaign would like to invite friends and supporters to start the petition drive by signing petitions to get Sheila on the ballot next spring. Although Sheila only needs 36 valid signatures to get on the ballot for mayor, would like to use the gathering of signatures as an opportunity to recruit more supporters for Sheila. A person living in Carbondale city limits who is a registered voter represents a valid signature. By September 19th we hope to have at least one person assigned to each precinct in Carbondale. Ideally we would like to have two people assigned to and working each Carbondale precinct prior to the election. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping to work on GOTV efforts, please contact Perry Knop or Scott McClurg or email us at perry@sheilasimon.com. Meet the Candidate at Hangar 9 The Hangar 9 will be hosting a Meet the Candidate get together on Sunday, October 22, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. St. Stephen’s Blues band has volunteered to provide some great musical entertainment from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There is a rumor that Sheila and friends may also entertain the audience with some musical treats. If you are interested in helping plan the event or would like to volunteer to prepare a snack to share please contact Carmen Suarez at 351-1461. T-Shirts
Sheila Simon campaign t-shirts are now just a phone call or an e-mail request away! Cherie Watson and Hannah Rummel will take your requests at simon4mayor@gmail.com or 618-457-5407 Each t-shirt is made in the USA by a socially responsible manufacturer with a cost of only $10.00 each. Buy a shirt and help us get the word out! Buy one for each member of your family, your friends or donate one to be given away, and remember, they’ll make great Christmas presents this year! Payment/Pick-up/Delivery/Shipping arrangements can be made in each case with Cherie or Hannah by:
Checks may be written to Friends of Sheila Simon (T-shirts are not considered a campaign donation but costs are recovered in this way.) Watch for our t-shirt sales at upcoming campaign events Golf Outing Sheila and friends will be hosting a golf outing at Hickory Ridge Golf Course on Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. Cost of the event is only $40 and includes golf, cart rental and lunch. Teams of four will be competing for some fun prizes so get you team together and enter soon. For entry forms and additional information, please contact Jay Curtis at 558- 5702. The entry forms will also be posted on this web site soon. |
