Women In History Month

In the mid '90s, I clipped out the back page of an Utne Reader magazine. It had a black and white photo of an infant crying and these words:

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men
as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer
in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
To keep our faces toward change and
behave like free spirits
in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.

Helen Keller

I kept that clipping with me through University, through different relationships, through job changes... I took a moment to read it again today. Then I walked up to Municipal Hall and handed in my nomination papers.

These words from Helen Keller are rich enough to have meaning on their own. Many will find them even more stirring because Helen Keller overcame her disabilities to learn to read and write and speak. In the '90s, when I first read this quote, I was inspired to learn more about this remarkable woman.

Like many, I had read stories and seen The Miracle Worker. What I hadn't realized, was that this represented only a fraction of her remarkable life.

Helen Keller was an activist for social justice.

She was outspoken about peace and changing the economy to better support the poor.

She was a suffragette. She campaigned hard so that women could have the right to vote.

She travelled around the world raising funds for the blind.

She donated funds to the NAACP and worked to promote social equality.

She spoke out against Child Labour practices and spoke out in favour of working people organizing unions.

In 1912 she advocated for women to have access to birth control.

In 1918 she helped found the American Civil Liberties Union to fight for freedom of speech.

Much of her time was spent working on political campaigns, publishing her writing and leading protest marches and rallies.

Helen Keller did a whole lot more than just learn to read, write and speak. Helen Keller was a well known public figure who angered some and inspired others. She was a political woman who spoke passionately for what she believed in.

I find her absolutely fascinating.

October is Women in History Month. I think I'll head down to the library and see if there is anything on Helen Keller I haven't read yet.

Novice Curling Program at Archie Browning Sports Centre

Here are the details on the Novice curling program that starts next Tuesday Oct 14th.

9 sessions, Tuesday nights 8:30-10:30, $35 with pizza and beverage at the last session.

Players register and pay at the rec or sports centre.

This is an incredibly good deal! I'm pretty sure I can eat $35 dollars worth of pizza....to get 9 weeks of curling with lessons too is amazing!

Esquimalt Village Project

Lately I've had a number of people ask me, "What happened to the Esquimalt Village Project?" The timeline called for another public consultation in June 2008 and Sept-November 2008 was supposed to be implementation. The last we heard from the consultants was May 22nd 2008.

Last night, in the question and comment period in the Council meeting I asked this question. "Has work stopped on the Esquimalt Village Project (EVP) or have discussions moved outside the public view?" The Mayor responded that work on the EVP has paused until the new Council is elected. He assured me publicly that no work has been done outside the public view.

Bonspiel Promise

OK. I've been inundated with emails since Sunday. I hereby promise that I will organize a yearly novice bonspiel. First, let's elect a Council that is willing and ready to make a commitment to ABSC. Then, let's raise some funds for the facility! Let's keep building on the goodwill and community that exists here! Consider it a personal promise. Whether or not I'm elected November 15th, I will do what I can to raise funds to keep ABSC for the next generation!

Curling Bonspiel

I am still a little overcome with emotion...so this will be only a short message. I have so many to thank for tonight...and for helping me on this campaign.

Lorie is amazing. She could open a party planning business from her house. I am grateful beyond words. Buying the house next door to the Halls was the smartest move we ever made.

Krisna and Boualay are two of the most talented people I know. The photo above is their "surprise" for me tonight. Its a cloth banner with the logo for my lawn signs painted on it. Its been signed with great messages of support from friends. It will be hanging in my kitchen, cheering me on for the duration of this campaign. It will be treasured forever.

Ed and Dave once again were incredible teachers out there on the ice. Patient, kind and good humoured. They are a credit to the sport and to Esquimalt.

Everyone who came tonight brought their great sense of humour and adventure. It made it an exceptionally fun night for all! I promise that I'll post some info for people who are looking to learn to curl this week.

What a great group of people! Some of my oldest friends and some new ones too. Each of you added something and I am so glad that you came!

We didn't keep score tonight but there was one SPECIAL award that simply must be mentioned.... Best Team Name goes to: Team Gaulstones!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Esquimalt Website Improvement

I just came back from Municipal Hall and I have some good news. It looks like I won't have to stop by there on Friday afternoons anymore. The Agenda packages are available online! Check out: www.esquimalt.ca Sometimes these packages are more than 200 pages long...so this is a really positive way for the township to reduce paper as well.

Thanks to our Esquimalt staff who worked hard to make this happen!

Independent

"Not determined or influenced by someone or something else" is one of the definitions I found for "independent". Also not committed to a political party.

Both describe me.

I have been asked several times this week, "which party are you?" Often, the question is followed with "..but I saw you having coffee with so and so!" or "aren't you friends with..."

I have friends that are members in a number of different political parties. There are great minds and good people in every camp. My life is more full for knowing them. Conversations are more lively and rich with differences of opinion around the table.