Getting close, do you pull out all the stops, or stay on your guard?

 

Quick Comment About Last Night's Forum at Mizell- Neighborhooods Posted 10/9/2007 7:04 AM I attended three-fourths of last nights forum at the Mizell Center and unfortunately had to leave for another appointment.  It was terrific, maybe the best forum yet!   The more I get to know these candidates and their passion for Palm Springs, along with their vision, concerns, and most of all their rich desire to serve the public. . . the stronger my feelings become about each of them.   They are really a great group of citizens.  How I cast my vote will come down to the evidence of competence, their willingness to take a stand on issues, their compassion toward all humanity and their ability to communicate with clarity.   As the election gets closer, I am forced to refine my process.  Last night I listened to the candidates 'word choices.'   Many of them started with, "I think what is best"  or "I think we should do.    Such openings are concerning  for me.  I need to see a definitive confidence, . . . "I will do this"  or "My plan is to do. . . "    See the difference?  I really want to elect resolved candidates who are beyond thinking and have a plan.   Sure, they are part of a council and won't have full say, but I need to know they have a plan to present. Last night there were some outstanding direct communicators that really impressed me.  I get excited when candidates are able to bring me along with their visions.  I love getting connected to their confidence and belief that they can do the job.  I appreciate the humanity and truth offered up by some candidates.  They weren't afraid to share their history of not being chosen to serve on commissions.  Clearly their determination is evidenced by their running for office.  Determination is a great quality. Where am I with all this?  Based on my criteria and nothing personal, I have eliminated a couple people from consideration, that leave eleven others that have me thinking. I still have twenty-eight days to sort out the rest.  I encourage the public to get involved, these are great people.  Still sorting . . .