Observations from the Campaign Trail - The WYSIWYG Candidate

What a couple of great weekends! Went from walking in the snow to sweating while I walked, not to mention being covered in yellow-green powder.

Since the March 6th election, I have walked in Cedar Corners, Chattahoochee Station, Creekstone Corners, Dunwoody Manor, Peachtree Square, Spalding Chase, Woodmont Landing, Summit Trail, Ivy Mill, Scott’s Mill, Amhurst Place, River Crest, Wickershire and Fox Hill. For those who stated they had already voted for me, thanks – but now I need you to go back and do it again! :-)

As always, I continue to be amazed by how welcomed I have been by everyone. I continue to be impressed by my neighbors in Peachtree Corners who are pulling together to make this election and this city something very special!

As this campaign winds down to a close, I have come to realize that I will never make a very good politician. With me, what you see is what you get. What I say is what I mean and I never say anything I don’t mean. I make no promise I can’t keep. As far as I can tell, I have broken many campaign rules and ignored conventional wisdom.

I don’t have a horde of campaigners doing my job for me, it is pretty much just me and hard work. People who I talk to are often surprised to see the candidate on their doorsteps. I approached one gentleman while he was running by me. He started to turn down my push card until he saw I matched my picture. That made a difference for him.

Some people say I am the only candidate they have seen. They ask me why I am going door to door. My response has always been because it is the only way to get to know the people I will be representing if elected. It is all about what our citizens need and care about. How else will I know if I do not go out and listen to people?

My door to door campaign reflects my belief that once elected, you should be as available as you were when you were a candidate. I have been asked for my phone number. Anyone who asked for it, got it. I do answer my phone and do not screen calls.

I have not targeted neighborhoods based on the vote for or against the city in their precincts. Or based on the predominant party in the area. I have spoken with people regardless of party or position on the city initiative. My message does not change based on who I am speaking with.

I have not gone out and asked for endorsements. I believe my campaign reflects my values and that the people I have had contact with recognize that. My best endorsements have come from the people I meet who recommend me to their friends and neighbors!

I respect the fact that this is a non-partisan race. I have been asked for my party affiliation on rare occasions and have declined to give an answer. I was asked by one gentleman who was clearly a bit put off by my non-response, “If I don’t know the candidate’s party, how do I know who to vote for?” My answer, perhaps a bit tongue in cheek was, “This is an opportunity to vote for the candidate’s character, not the party’s character.”

I have not held a fund raiser. Much of my campaign has been self-funded. The contributions I have received have been given to me by people who truly support me. I did not ask for them.

Alex Wright and I took a strong public position on HB 956, the Berkeley Lake annexation, very early on and helped to lead the opposition to this bill. In part, because of this, Peachtree Corners now has the opportunity to speak as a city on this issue. Conventional wisdom would say that as candidates, we should have kept our heads down on this issue.

As I stated, what you see is what you get. I will be no different as a city council member than I am now as a candidate. I will continue to work hard and listen to the people of Peachtree Corners. I will be available. I will represent all citizens regardless of party or stand on the city referendum. I am beholden to no one with their hands in my pockets. I have no political ambitions for higher office. My decisions will be made by considering only with what is best for Peachtree Corners, not what will be best for a sound bite for my campaign for higher office.

I ask that if you have not done so yet, go to my web site, http://jeanne4peachtreecorners.com/,  and read about my background and my stand on the issues. I ask for your vote this coming Tuesday!

Jeanne Aulbach

Candidate, Peachtree Corners City Council

Post 4 At Large