What is considered political in a nonpartisan role? And who should a City Council member responsibly represent?
Recently I had a conversation with a sitting Bellbrook City Council member. This person was instrumental in recruiting and promoting another candidate in last year’s election. They said, “You wanted to give a voice to the little people and that’s not how it works. Your voice should reflect the majority and not special interests. This is bringing politics into the role, and you shouldn’t do that on City Council.”
What in the world? When did I ever say that?? But then I recalled my quote used by an endorsing organization: “As a first-time candidate, the support of the Matriots helps solidify my resolve to be a voice for women, our seniors, and those who have not yet found their voice.”
Women make up roughly half of our population, and 16% of people in Bellbrook are seniors. So who are these mysterious people who have not yet found their voice? Since I had the privilege of personally knocking on the doors of over half of our voting households, I have some stories about those whose voices aren’t heard.
I heard from a woman who isn’t sure whether she lives in Bellbrook or Sugarcreek – and is convinced it doesn’t make a difference.
I heard the voice of the elderly woman living in Mill Pond whose car had been repossessed and was unsure of her transportation to the polls.
I heard the voices of the households locally using one of 38 different languages at home (according to Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District).
I heard the Middle Eastern woman who waved me off and said, “I’ll take your paper but when it comes to voting I just ask my grown kids.”
I heard the voice of the family who sacrificed to buy a starter home in our excellent school district for their kids’ benefit, but needs help from the food pantry to get through the month.
I heard the 91-year-old with a life alert necklace, trapped in her multi-level home.
It’s the voice of the man who raised his kids in Bellbrook, and wants the grandkids to play on the family swings in his backyard. He was worried about the levy on the ballot, and not sure how much longer he can afford the taxes here.
These are some of the people in Bellbrook who haven’t found their voice. Every single person in Bellbrook deserves representation, and they deserve to be heard by our City Council. Is using my voice for them, speaking as a citizen, being too political? Or is it merely a responsibility?