A Desperate Opponent?

So the last time I had written, I had fallen. I found out just Friday that I broke my ankle. But, that has not slowed me down much. I have a boot on for 4 to 6 weeks, but am still mobile. Life is still good!

About a week and a half until the campaign is over. The Young Democrats were here today to help me with a literature drop. I've been sign waving every day. And, I am looking forward to my Halloween table in downtown Edmonds next Saturday. We have stickers and candy to give away. The only question now is what should I dress up as? I am open to suggestions.

Some interesting issues have unfolded during this last week and I want to make sure that everyone knows what is going on. Mr. Plunkett has accused me of taking money from the Edmond Shopping Associates (ESA). This is an outright lie. I do not understand why he would lie about something like this, as it is a violation of campaign finance law to make such statements.

No one working on my campaign has every taken money on my behalf from the ESA. I would encourage readers to look at the PDC website. The information is easily verifiable, as Mr. Plunkett says. But, he's hoping he dupes the Citizens of Edmonds into taking his word. Fortunately, I know my neighbors and friends are smarter than that. I was grateful to my neighbors who came out to defend me in the Beacon. I am especially grateful to the Edmonds Police Association who came out with a letter of support in the Beacon. (My website. www.votepriya.com, has a link to the letters) I have also added a new page on my website called "Fiction or Fact" which clears up other misconceptions perpetrated by Mr. Plunkett and Mr. Orvis.

As I have always said: no matter the outcome of this election, I will still have to face my friends and neighbors, including Mr. Plunkett, on the street. I would not be able to do that if I ran my campaign like Mr. Plunkett, or his campaign manager, Mr. Orvis, has run his. Hey,but, that's just me. Even my 5 year old knows that fibbing and name calling are not okay.

Only about 10% of Edmonds has voted as of Friday. So, if you have not voted, please do. And, if you see me standing on a street corner waving a sign, please honk!

Until tomorrow my friends.

Priya

Ballot Drop Day

Today has been a day of reflection for me. I started this ride back in February with the support of my family and good friend DJ Wilson. And, what a ride it has been.

I want to start by thanking my entire family for all the help and encouragement they have given me. My husband, Todd, has lived with me for over 20 years. He has always encouraged me in any endeavor (expect maybe singing professionally) I wanted to undertake: from going to law school to working at legal services to running for City Council. Thank you Todd. I cannot even imagine life without you.

Next I want to thank my elder son, Pascal, who will be 14 on Sunday. Pascal always made me laugh with some hare-brained scheme he came up with. We didn't execute any but, it was fun to fantasize with him. He's at the Edmonds Woodway High School Homecoming game as I write this. Happy birthday my big boy.

Thank you to my parents, my in-laws, and my brother who have supported me and donated a great deal of money. All those donations that came in from the Southwest and California were from my family. There really is no scheme by outsiders to gain political power by donating to my campaign. (whose paranoid delusion was THAT?)

I want to thank DJ Wilson who knew when to ignore me and when to give me a pep talk. There were times he told me I was being crazy and irrational and then ignored me for weeks on end. Turns out, that was the right way to handle it. Who knew?

Thank you Max Brown and the Snohomish County Young Democrats who have doorbelled for me. I am proud to know you are the future of our Country. Most importantly, Max and company helped us pick out the official pizza of the campaign -- Jalapeño and Pepperoni.

Finally, I want to thank all the friends I made along the way. Richard and Karen Martinson, you have become friends for life. Todd and I were discussing something regarding the campaign today and thought of Richard to help us. He sent me an email with the same thought not seconds later. Great minds think alike.

And Bob and Janice Freeman, who shared with me their vision of the Edmonds of the future. By keeping this vision of the future in mind, our decisions of today take on a greater significance.

Anne Kutay, whose outlook is inspiring. She can do everything and anything. Tung Bui who was harassed by my opponent, but stood his ground with pride. Pat Brier, who is a great artist and a great friend. Manya Vee, who was the first person I told about my candidacy and who has supported me throughout. Maralyn Chase who was always there to give me practical advice. And, there are so many more.

I am proud to call you all friends and neighbors.

So, this afternoon, I put on my raincoat, grabbed a sign, and got a great recharge of inspiration at Five Corners. Hundreds of smiles and waves, some happy honks, and only one thumbs-down. But hey, there's always one.

And did I happen to remind everyone to mail in your ballots?

Until tomorrow my friends.

Priya

Doorbelling with Young Democrats

The Snohomish County Young Democrats (a.k.a. YD's) doorbelled with me today. They have doorbelled multiple times for me throughout the Summer and Fall. For those of you who don't know the YD's, they are a great group of young people. Each and every time I work with the YD's, I am energized by these young people. They work hard, think deeply, and will be our future leaders. They are also great role models for my boys. Thank you YD's for all the time and energy you have given me this year!

My young friend Lily H. also doorbelled with me today. And we finished our goal today!

The street we left for last was a hill that was at a 40 degree angle. We had been doorbelling at least 3 hours by this time. We stood at the bottom, looking straight up the hill, took a deep breath and hiked up one end and down the other. Was it worth the climb? Of course it was! Each citizen I speak to on these doorbelling outings brings me a greater understanding of the issues that the citizens think are important. So, I will continue climbing the big hills, going out in the rain, and falling down stairs (okay, hopefully not, but see my last post in August).

Tomorrow is the second debate at the Senior Center. I wonder....will Mr. Plunkett finally reveal his platform to us?

Until tomorrow my friends.

Priya

Coffee Anyone?

My mother and father in law, Jenny and Jerry, are in town from Scottsdale AZ this weekend. They were downtown and loved the new mural. Jenny's comment was: "The mural has taken a dark wall and turned it to art. I love it!" I'm so very proud to be a founding member of the Edmonds Mural Society. Oh...and thank you very much Jenny for that great Apple Brown Betty!

I want to take a moment to thank my friends Randy and Theresa Hollis for hosting a great neighborhood coffee get-together at their home. Randy was one of the people that worked very, very hard doorbelling with me in 2008 (I was the Edmonds Regional coordinator for the combined Obama/Gregoire campaign).

I had some great conversation with the Hollis' friends and neighbors. It appears that everyone is ready for a change in Edmonds. They are tired of a Council that does not have a vision and is always looking for a quick fix, like selling the fire department, to address our long standing economic problems.

As an aside, I found it interesting that Mr. Plunkett is excited about the outcome of litigation to solve our financial difficulties - especially as he had just denied that Edmonds had a budget problem. This is yet another example of a "quick fix" mindset without any consideration of the long term consequences.

Remember, ballots drop soon. I need all of you to tell two friends to tell two friends to tell two friends to vote for me. I can only win this election with your help.

Until tomorrow my friends.

Priya

I'm Back

Dear Friends:

I am so sorry that I have not updated you all with my adventures. I was at a City Council Candidates' Forum tonight and was asked by several people why I'd stopped writing; one of those people being Councilman Ron Wambolt. (Ron, I would have never thought you read my blog). So, I am going to dedicate myself to writing at least three times a week.

Why haven't I been writing? Well....remember that last spill I took? I actually broke my toe then, I had the flu and I've been spending time catching up with my doorbelling. That's not an excuse though!

I continue to doorbell and enjoy the great people I meet on the road. Yesterday, I spoke to Gretchen, a neighbor two blocks down from me, right next to the entrance to Yost Park. Gretchen has one of the most beautiful gardens in Edmonds. I admire it each and every time I drive by. She has an eye for composition (i.e. what colors go where,what sizes go where, etc.). I was lucky enough to meet her and speak in detail about gardening (one of my hobbies, too).

Now that it's getting dark sooner and raining, I do a lot of doorbelling in the dark and in the rain. A couple of days ago I walked down a very long, dark driveway in the dark. The gentleman at the door was very impressed with the fact that I had done all of that. He said, if I had the courage to walk down his long driveway, I have must have the guts to make tough decisions. I have his vote!

What's new with the Campaign? Where to start? The Everett Herald Endorsement! The Everett Herald endorsed me! I AM THRILLED!

I have just returned from the an Edmonds Council Candidate Forum sponsored by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. It was nice to see my friends from the Chamber. I think I did well. The questions really hit the issues we are facing: how do we fix our budget, the fire district, and where do we build new housing to keep in line with the Growth Management Act.

Interestingly enough, Mr. Plunkett indicated we do not have a budget problem. I'm not sure how he came to this conclusion. Our Yost Pool almost closed this year and the citizens had to raise money to save it. And, we asked the people who keep Edmonds running to take unpaid days off from work. This doesn't look to me like a healthy budget!

The Fire District is another interesting issue. Even though selling our fire department today may bring in the cash we so desperately need, in the long run, this move will cost Edmonds more money. As Lynnwood and Mukilteo annex unincorporated parts of Snohomish County, this will reduce their contribution to the cost of a fire department, and our burden will increase. There is no free lunch in this deal, and, even more important, once we sell our fire department, there's no way we could ever get it back.

In his closing statement tonight, Mr. Plunkett made it clear that he wants Edmonds to stay the way it has always been, he does not want new people to move here, he does not want anyone to drive here. I'm not sure how that will work. Should we put fences around Edmonds? Pascal (my 14 year old) said he might have people tattooed with bar codes for entrance. Ok, just kidding, but it was a pretty funny thought.

The Edmonds that I know and love gets its charm from caring neighbors. I live here because my neighbors are my village and we take care of each other. That's where the real charm of Edmonds lies.

Until tomorrow my friends (yes, Councilman Wambolt, that means you, too),

Priya

Grin and Bear It

I want to start this blog post by thanking a group of people. First, I want to thank my dear friend Tung Bui for spending time and energy dealing with Mr. Plunkett. Tung is a true friend.

Second, I want to thank Scott at the local printer's union for working with me to get to the heart of an issue that is near and dear to my heart. Your investigation skills saved me a lot of energy and time. Your ability to understand my situation and help me move on gives me faith that there are truly gracious people in the world.

Third, I want to thank Karen Deal, political director at the UCFW Union. I feel lucky to have your support and energy. Thank you.

Ok...it's no secret I am truly a softie at heart. I'm sure you will hear more gushing from me before November.

Now, back to doorbelling. I was excited about going doorbelling tonight. The weather was perfect and my faith in my fellow citizens had been renewed. Todd, my ops manager (and best husband in the world) chose a great neighborhood for me. I filled my water bottle and was on my way.

Amazingly, I went to the neighborhood and found a parking space right away. I was certain I could get most of the precinct done tonight. The first few streets went great AND THEN.......I failed to pay attention coming down a set of stairs. You guessed it, I fell down the stairs. I was thankful no one was around to see me fall into the street.

If you know me at all, you know I have had various sport injuries over the years. I dusted myself off and pulled myself together. I figured the pain would subside as it always does. I should have known something was different when it couldn't bear weight. I made a decision to keep going until I could no longer stand the pain. I finished about 50 houses before I had to stop.

Now, I am home with my feet up. I have taken some Tylenol and will be ready to start doorbelling again tomorrow -- at least until I can't stand the pain anymore.

All in all, life is good. I am lucky to have such supportive unions to work with, a great husband, beautiful children, and two great dogs.

Until tomorrow my friends.

Priya

How Low Can You GO?!

Well...I have to say that I am a bit dumbfounded by my opponent today. A dear friend of mine who owns a sign shop had contributed my yard signs. And, as required, I reported this donation to the PDC. These records are publicly available.

Mr. Plunkett sent a request to my friend's office, asking to look at his records. Although my friend is required to provide some limited information by law:(1) the services rendered; (2) what kind of services were provided; and (3) the cost of services. Yes...basically a bill; a bill my friend provided to me, which I would have been more than happy to share with Mr. Plunkett. And, by the way, I am required to provided Mr. Plunkett with my financial records. So, the question is why did Mr. Plunkett feel like he wanted to harrass my donor? Who's door is he going to knock on next?

Perhaps Mr. Plunkett will call my mother, in Albuquerque, or my mother-in-law, in Scottsdale, to ask for their financial records. Now that's a vision. Mr. Plunkett thinks that I'm a threat...I'd love him to go against two women who made their way in the world when women were "just women".

Until tomorrow my friends.

Priya