Dear Residents of Frederick,
One of the unique opportunities available to citizens registered to vote is running for public office and serving your community as a member of the Town Board as a Trustee or the Mayor. I have been privileged to serve in that role for the last eight years and thank the residents of Frederick for entrusting me with this high honor and humble opportunity to serve.
As I and other board members complete our time on the board, this provides a unique chance for each of you to consider if public service is something you might like to do. I always encourage folks to think about public service if and only if they understand you run to serve not because you have a beef with something in town or you didn't like a decision by a previous board or have one issue that is caught in your stomach. You run because you offer value to the conversation and decision making of the community. You run because you want to give back in a very meaningful way by providing direction and vision to the community. You don't "run" the town when you are on the board. You set policy and seek to build our community in a positive and meaningful way.
Board members work hard and must devote many additional hours to serving. There are the weekly board meetings, there are phone calls, emails and conversations in the local stores from members of the community that you should take time for. There are additional meetings of interest that you may be involved with as a member of the Town Board. I have always said that good town board members contribute 15-20 hours per week and the Mayor is closer to 30-40 hours per week. Ask the questions, how does this fit with my current life situation and employment situation? How will my family handle this? Do I have the extra time to devote to this important civic role? Why is it I wish to serve? What motivates me? Am I a listener and how do I approach problem solving? Can I speak clearly and succinctly about a topic or issue?
Once you have answered these questions, understand that there are two roles that a candidate plays in the coming weeks leading to the election in Frederick on April 5, 2012. First, you will be a candidate and you will be encouraging folks to vote for you....selling yourself. If elected, you become the public official who is governing the community....not selling self but selling the community. You go from your role concentrating on you to your role working together with six other members in formulating policy and direction for the years to come. You are not one voice, but one of seven who must learn the art of compromise and solution building.
I do hope in the days ahead you will consider running for office in Frederick. To assist you in that effort, our community will be holding an Election 2012-Running in the Right Direction forum on February 9 from 5:30-6:30 pm in the Town Hall Board Room. This is for all announced candidates and those considering a run. The Town Clerk will be presenting important technical and campaign information as well as have packets for the election process available. I will be providing a more detailed overview of expectations and what you need to consider as you run for office. Then if privileged to be elected, the pitfalls and mine fields to watch for. This is not mandatory for candidates, but it is a great opportunity to see who may be running or to learn what it takes to be a candidate and elected official.
Sincerely,
Mayor Eric Doering