Brief note

While I have been LOVING the comments and the general level of discussion on the previous post, a few of the comments have rankled with me because they speculate about Andrea's state of mental health and...well...

I just wanted to say that not all people who are temperamental or hard to work with have mental illnesses.

Conversely, not all people with mental illnesses are temperamental or hard to work with.

I'd prefer it if we could talk about behaviors instead of motivations. K?

So, why not Andrea?

Yesterday, I wrote about why I'm voting for and working for and donating to Cliff. But people have asked me why I'm NOT supporting Andrea.

I have a hard time writing negatively about Andrea as a Supervisor, because I like her as a person. So, I feel bad telling you all why I'm not supporting her.

• It's because I've watched her repeatedly treat county staff badly.
• It's because she treats her staff aides like garbage (she's now on her 11th in 3 years). I've heard this directly from several of her staff aides, and they all tell the same stories.
• It's because she is often unprepared for meetings.
• It's because she blames her other job for the fact that she is unprepared.
• It's because she voted against Ches. Bay. (Cliff probably would have too, but it's a real departure for Andrea), and she left CBPO supporters in the cold.
• It's because she really doesn't have the time or the temperament for the job, she knows it, she declares it from the dais, and yet she's running for it again.

For all these reasons and a few more, I am here to tell you that even if Cliff weren't running, I wouldn't be working hard for Andrea. I would be concentrating all my canvassing for the other candidates I support and I wouldn't have money in the Broad Run race.

In my opinion, Cliff is the only candidate in the Broad Run race who is both qualified for and capable of doing the job.

Shouting it from the rooftops

For the first time in my life, I'm endorsing, donating to, and campaigning for someone who is NOT running as a Democrat.

Independent candidate Cliff Keirce is my choice for Supervisor from the new Broad Run district. As I've said before,

"Cliff is a widely known, very popular, well-liked, hugely qualified candidate for this office. He's been Stevens's Planning Commissioner for the last couple of years. Before that, he was on the Facilities Standards Manual Public Review Committee, all while serving on the Broadlands HOA (including as President) and the Loudoun Library Foundation Board. His wife and his children are wonderful people, and he and his family are seriously committed to serving the community."

There is no doubt that Cliff would make a better Supervisor than Shawn Williams.

There is also little doubt in my mind that Cliff will be a better choice for Broad Run than Andrea. He's a better listener, and looks for workable solutions. I've found him to be reasonable, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. These are the traits needed for the Supervisor of the district that will have both the Loudoun Metro stations, and the myriad changes that will come with them.

I've already donated to his campaign ($101, just to make the point), and will be walking for him consistently (probably starting this weekend!)

Off air due to illness and end-of-school-year/beginning of Summer hijinx.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Feel free to leave a comment about your Summer plans, or your kids' Summer plans.

Dammit (edited to make a better point)

Turns out, Rep. Weiner is aptly named. Very disappointing. I had a lot of respect for him, and he seemed to be a genuine advocate for causes I believe in.

Dammit.