Conversations with Sgt. Smith

I’m glad Will accepted my offer to sit down and talk in that I understand that that as a conservative Christian pastor he may have felt possibly in hostile territory. However, that cannot be further from the result although we disagree on some things we both agree we have far more in common than what is different.

Sam is the only candidate I think I knew before we talked. And I know when I met him about a year ago we had a good conversation. This was also a very pleasant conversation

I talked with Samantha Smith from Ward 2 this evening. She seems adamant about getting a qualified school superintendent who hopefully can turn around our district. She also has been a very active parent in the school system.

Here’s my conversation with Raymond Wayman. He seemed very knowledgeable and has taken a lot of time to do research on our city and where our money goes.

I have really enjoyed these conversations. This one was with Lisa Kerrigan Carlberg. I gathered they she is most concerned with ensuring that teachers are supported and given the best resources. School board candidate.

These are starting to run together for me so I apologize if I repeat myself

This was my second conversation this evening with Samantha Battis school board candidate ward 6 seat A was really great mostly because she talked more than me which is perfect I assume you all are sick of hearing my voice. She is truly passionate about making the schools a safe place for everyone including our students with IEP. She has been an active advocate for years because of her experiences with her son. This was an amazing experience.

Keady Nugent school board ward 2 seat A is passionate about our kids and their future in our city.

This was a pleasant conversation. Although Katherine Anderson is running for school board it didn’t feel like a campaign interview just a good conversation. So far she is the first school board candidate who has decided to sit with me. I feel a little guilty I may have talked to much. But I’m not a professional and I do this on my spare time lol.

This is where I give my scores and endorsements to the candidates.

My last conversation for a while that I’ll post here is with Chuck Grassie. Maybe one of the most experienced of all the politicians that I talked to so far. And politically speaking, we probably stand far apart as any of them as well. However, it was a pleasure talking to him to hear his ideas to listen to what he had to say, and I think he did have some good ideas and a heart for the city of Rochester.

Too often, do we see a politician and we see their face on a card or a poster and forget that that is a human that although we disagree with them deserves dignity and respect. Especially as Christians these are literally our neighbors. And it’s OK to disagree to debate to argue. And perhaps if there is a different form, I would do that, but that was not my intention of these conversations. It was to get to know them so I can work with them in the future and know what their ideas might be and help inform my vote.