William Matt
It is my pledge to always seek justice on behalf of the City of Lansing. As your neighbor, I will work diligently to find responsible solutions to our challenges, and lead with a vision guided by a hope of an ever-better city.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Mea culpa
The Politics of Personal Destruction in todays hyper partisan world claimed an another victim this week. It was my opponent A'Lynne Robinson, and the perpertrator was me.
In the previous blog entry, I mocked mocked A'Lynne, and I am here to apologize for that.
A'Lynne, I'm sorry.
It was pointed out to me that there is a difference between calling attention to an opposing issue, and being mean-spirited and personal.
What I should have said was: A'Lynne has proposed 20 more patrol officers in Lansing, while cutting spending in the city budget, and question where the funds or cuts would come from.
Simple as that.
Instead I mocked and tried to embarass her, which is really out of character for me. I may have felt the sting of losing the FOP endorsement, or maybe it was 11th hour election jitters. No matter the reason, A'Lynne deserved better. Win or lose today, I hope that she will continue to contribute and make Lansing and the 3rd Ward a great place to live. She is a class act and has treated me fairly.
I had hoped to stay true to my values while serving the community, and I lost sight of that. Maybe I am not cut out for politics after all if I lose my own sense of self, so desperate to win.
My new rule of thumb will be using my kids as a guide. You know the old saying, if it is not something your mom would approve of then you shouldn't say it? I think that when I write, I will try and remember that if it is not something I would be proud to show my kids, then I won't write it. I don't need to entertain, and I certainly don't need to put others down to make myself look better.
In the previous blog entry, I mocked mocked A'Lynne, and I am here to apologize for that.
A'Lynne, I'm sorry.
It was pointed out to me that there is a difference between calling attention to an opposing issue, and being mean-spirited and personal.
What I should have said was: A'Lynne has proposed 20 more patrol officers in Lansing, while cutting spending in the city budget, and question where the funds or cuts would come from.
Simple as that.
Instead I mocked and tried to embarass her, which is really out of character for me. I may have felt the sting of losing the FOP endorsement, or maybe it was 11th hour election jitters. No matter the reason, A'Lynne deserved better. Win or lose today, I hope that she will continue to contribute and make Lansing and the 3rd Ward a great place to live. She is a class act and has treated me fairly.
I had hoped to stay true to my values while serving the community, and I lost sight of that. Maybe I am not cut out for politics after all if I lose my own sense of self, so desperate to win.
My new rule of thumb will be using my kids as a guide. You know the old saying, if it is not something your mom would approve of then you shouldn't say it? I think that when I write, I will try and remember that if it is not something I would be proud to show my kids, then I won't write it. I don't need to entertain, and I certainly don't need to put others down to make myself look better.
Labels: 3rd Ward, A'Lynne Robinson, Bill Matt, election, endorsements, lansing city council
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lansing Chamber of Commerce Endorses Matt
for Lansing City Council.
It's clear that labor and business can and do get along. What is good for business development is good for jobs!
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the have endorsed me as their candidate for the 3rd Ward race. The Chamber has joined:
UAW
Teamsters
Greater Lansing Labor Council
Sierra Club
Democracy for America
Plumbers & Pipefitters
IAFF (Fire Fighters)
It should be clear that my platform cuts across partisan boundaries and is based on cooperation and common sense.
It's clear that labor and business can and do get along. What is good for business development is good for jobs!
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the have endorsed me as their candidate for the 3rd Ward race. The Chamber has joined:
UAW
Teamsters
Greater Lansing Labor Council
Sierra Club
Democracy for America
Plumbers & Pipefitters
IAFF (Fire Fighters)
It should be clear that my platform cuts across partisan boundaries and is based on cooperation and common sense.
Labels: 3rd Ward, Bill Matt, chamber of commerce, endorsements, lansing city council
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Sierra Club Endorses Bill Matt
More good news on the campaign front today. The Sierra Club has endorsed me for the Lansing City Council race!
Some people may not feel that this is an important endorsement, but it is actually quite rare for this group to endorse people in local races. My previous work for the Parks Commission as well as contributing and volunteering for the Grand River clean up must have made a positive impression.
What does the Sierra Club do? (LINK)
The Mackinac Chapter of the Sierra Club is the Michigan voice for the nation's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Our members are some 20,000 of your Michigan friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet.
Environmental concerns are increasingly cutting across party lines as most people appreciate clean air, clean water, and protected wildlife and green spaces. I have recently thought that the Democratic Party should turn their focus more towards Polution Prevention and less on Global Warming. The end result would be a cleaner environment, without the ongoing fight that has come against Global Warming. I mean, who would come out in favor of more polution?
Some people may not feel that this is an important endorsement, but it is actually quite rare for this group to endorse people in local races. My previous work for the Parks Commission as well as contributing and volunteering for the Grand River clean up must have made a positive impression.
What does the Sierra Club do? (LINK)
The Mackinac Chapter of the Sierra Club is the Michigan voice for the nation's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Our members are some 20,000 of your Michigan friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet.
Environmental concerns are increasingly cutting across party lines as most people appreciate clean air, clean water, and protected wildlife and green spaces. I have recently thought that the Democratic Party should turn their focus more towards Polution Prevention and less on Global Warming. The end result would be a cleaner environment, without the ongoing fight that has come against Global Warming. I mean, who would come out in favor of more polution?
Labels: Bill Matt, endorsements, Grand River, lansing city council, sierra club
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Lansing Fire Fighters Endorsement
Of all the groups that endorse candidates, it is said that the Fire Fighters is one of the most important. I am proud to announce Lansing IAFF 421 (LINK) has endorsed me for the 3rd Ward City Council race!
Citizens expect certain things from their government. First and foremost is public safety. We expect that the response time will be quick, and that the professionals that respond are well trained and have the best technology and equipment available. Here in Lansing, we are fortunate to have an outstanding force of 200 Fire Fighters to respond to any emergency. These brave men and women risk their lives to respond to emergencies, and help save lives of those who are in trouble. We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to them for their selfless actions.
It was clear during the interview process with IAFF 421 President Brian Epling, that Fire Fighters are politically active, but they also understand that Council Members need to represent many different constituents. We agreed to sometimes disagree, but also to always be honest and forthright, and give fair consideration to each others point of view. I expect that our relationship will grow even stronger over time, and that we will work together to make Lansing stronger and safer.
Citizens expect certain things from their government. First and foremost is public safety. We expect that the response time will be quick, and that the professionals that respond are well trained and have the best technology and equipment available. Here in Lansing, we are fortunate to have an outstanding force of 200 Fire Fighters to respond to any emergency. These brave men and women risk their lives to respond to emergencies, and help save lives of those who are in trouble. We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to them for their selfless actions.
It was clear during the interview process with IAFF 421 President Brian Epling, that Fire Fighters are politically active, but they also understand that Council Members need to represent many different constituents. We agreed to sometimes disagree, but also to always be honest and forthright, and give fair consideration to each others point of view. I expect that our relationship will grow even stronger over time, and that we will work together to make Lansing stronger and safer.
Labels: endorsements, fire fighters, iaff 421, lansing city council
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