Monrovia School Link ~ Number 171 ~ May 25, 2006
Well, I asked for news on how the Measure M campaign is going and got one. Rosemary Harrahill sent me the following update.
~ brad@sacklunch.net
Hi Brad,
Well, this isn't an official update per se, but a board member asked me to say a few words to update everyone, but I'm a worker bee, so I'll call this the official unofficial update from a minor chairperson involved with Measure M. I'll tell you my view of how things are going based on my experiences in this campaign. (And I hope others give their updates, too, 'cuz I'm sure I've left something out)....
First, we have got the greatest group of fanny kicking volunteers on the planet. And chairpersons. And board members. And PTA presidents. And did I mention volunteers? The enthusiasm level of everyone involved is so impressive! So, here goes:
We have the endorsemenmt of the City Council and the Library Board. The Friday night street fairs are going great, with lots of information going out. DVDs have been made, yard signs are out and popping up everywhere. Web designers, logo designers, flyer handouts, T-shirt designers, printer workers, pencil designers and more are going gang busters! We ran out of T-shirts and have to order more -- a great sign! Phone banking was awesome, with lots of volunteers every night and such positive responses! We even had competitions going for the phone banker who got the most Yard Sign sign-ups!(Bill Beebe won that one!)--
Our board members have been out talking to Rotary and Gad-A-Bouts and New Horizons and Coordinating Council and spreading the word to town organizations like Monrovia Arts Festival Association. And there's still more to come.
A second mailer just arrived in mailboxes yesterday for our absentee ballot neighbors. KGEM has been running the informational pieces showing the much-needed improvements. Our board members are attending PTA meetings and we have the endorsement of every PTA at every school site in town! Way to go Board Members! Also, we have been endorsed by the MTA and CSEA, yes! And, we were just endorsed by the Monrovia Firefighters Association and they are begging to help! (Dontchya just love those firefighters?)-- And yes, we're taking them up on it.
ALL of the Board members and our superintendent walked in the Monrovia Days parade handing out pencils and info pieces. It was so great!! And so many teachers turned out to walk with us! Banners are now hanging on various buildings in town and at Dogwoods on Foothill--thank you everyone!
Precinct walking is the next big project and we can still use many more volunteers! (Contact Clare Chesley at [phone number] or clare at [email address] if you are interested in volunteering.) You'll be updated on the walking soon. It would be impossible to pick out people by name and be fair in praise of them because sooooo many people have rallied and come through on so many fronts. Wow, when it comes to our kids, people listen up!
Well, that's my view/admiration/praise piece for now. Honestly, I've never seen people pull together and make such a huge issue work in such a short amount of time with such a 'can do' and 'will do' attitude. Every single one of you has my deepest admiration and respect!
And that's my official unofficial update.
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