The other day I walked and met a few fun Brooklanders who will not vote for me. Not because of my platform – because they can’t register to vote and have no thumbs.
I met Penny and Billy; Potter; and Chewbacca Marshmallow. All dogs. And I will of course remember their names and over time probably forget their owners names. You know, the ones that actually vote – because they are registered and have thumbs.
I don’t want to leave out the dog over on Jackson. I’ll never forget him for one important fact: His name is Bagel. I’m a true Brooklyn born New Yorker with very fixed (downright stubborn) opinions about actual bagels and will only ever eat one made in the City. New York City.
Now to the humans:
I met Adam (the human guardian of Potter) on 14th St. We talked old houses and more specifically the old historic wood banister in his foyer that came from the old Lincoln Theater. I told him if that was in my house I’d be staring at it daily. Right before I left, I threw in that I was running for ANC but honestly… that banister had me mesmerized.
I also met Emily on 14th St, (mom to pups Penny and Billy) who has the most unbelievable Monstera plant growing in her living room AND the most unbelievable orchid in her kitchen. Jealousy rating: 100/100. When I knocked on the door, she said: “Oh I know you and just filled out the mail-in ballot with your name! Wanna come in?!” And so I did. And saw my name penciled in on the ballot sitting on her gorgeous dining room table.
I finally met Ross, another human neighbor just down the block from where I live. Years seeing some posts in the Facebook group but never meeting. Happy to finally have knocked on his lovely red door. We share a background in graphic design.
And lastly, I also met one chap who I won’t soon forget. He has the dubious honor of being the very first person that I’ve met (as I’ve dragged my injury riddled body around Brookland doing my best to meet people) to say these words to me before I could even get to the top of his long steps:
I said: “Hi I’m Elise, your neighbor around the corner….” And before I could even get the rest out or make it up, he said: “I know you and you wont get my vote.”
Well ok then.
He seemed ready to rumble and it was clear he had a pre-determined fixed mindset, and won’t vote for me because he wanted me to agree with his point of view on a particular issue and not any concensus from the neighborhood. I realized later that he sits on a committee for his particular issue. I did my best to explain my reasons for running. And he made sure to say again: “I wont vote for you” but he did say that he understood it wasn’t easy to do what I was doing and wished me luck. The story ends somewhat positively for two reasons:
1. I ended up getting a smile out of him and made him laugh
2. He gave me an opportunity to practice as I continue down this path
Anyway, read back to what I believe an ANCs role is and how I will work to fulfill that. It’s the HOW – because there will always be a “what”. And communication is a big part of that. So is understanding a landscape that includes many different experiences, phases in life and demographics.
So we know that 5 dogs and 1 human will not vote for me so far. And that’s ok. What’s great for everyone in 5b03 (aside from super cute dogs) is that this round of voting for ANC offers a choice. We’ve not had that on this end of Brookland in many, many years. Maybe I’ll be your choice. Maybe I wont. Either way, I’ll be ok and it won’t change my love for my neighborhood or the community service work I do, with or without a title.
–Elise for ANC5b03
Rooted in Community
ps: I love sesame + poppyseed bagels.
pss: I can not remember the name of who owns Chewbacca Marshmallow (aka Chewie) but they live over on Evarts. Love the name!