Title: America 101: How to fix a City.
The 11%: Looking for LEADERSHIP in all the right places
For Discussion and postive action
Prologue:
If you decide to run for city council or mayor, focus on the long-game. It will serve you well. Don't pick fights with the 'Good Old Boys Club.' It will waste your time and suck your energy. That's easy to say, very hard to do. Lord knows I had my moments over the last 4 years.
Focus Focus Focus:
Work on getting more decent people, like yourself, to run for public office. Having more good people in your local government will start to take away the power of those good old boys.
Focus: It is simple math, the more good people in public office, the less bad and cxorrupt people in office there will be.
Focus on getting big ideas and policies in place, that benefit the whole city. Spend 2 to 4 years working on a good foundation, for others to build on.
Its not sexy or glamorous work, but it's the kind of nuts and bolts work that must be done. Details matter. Details Details Details.
I speak from personal experience. 90% of what I've accomplished on city council, the benefits will be reaped years down the road. I'm good with that. The things I wasn't able to get done, because lazy public officials didn't want to work; that will also affect the city negatively, for decades. That is reality.
I knew exactly what had to be accomplished behind the scenes, so that's what I worked on.
Always focus on the long game.
I know all of thatb seems like basic advice. You would be surprised how many candidates will not do these things, because their pride and ego will het in the way. Don't be that candidate, be better.
Topic 01:
What is 'The 11%?' And who am I to decide?
It is October 8, 2018, 8:34pm EST.
Note: I can only be brutally honest with all who choose to read this. . .
If I cannot reach you in a 10 – 12 page tutorial-booklet, then I cannot reach you at all.
My name is Christopher J. Dardzinski, I was born in 1967 in Wyandotte, MI.
I became fascinated and interested in Politics/Economics at the age of 8.
I have spent an entire life-time fighting many good fights, authoring or co-authoring legislative proposals. I have worked within groups, by myself, affiliated and non-affiliated.
I am now, at the age of 50, finishing up 4 years on Lincoln Park's city council.
I have seen many things in the last 42 years, most of them bad.
I've seen many good people go in to public office, who were then destroyed by the establishment..
I have seen a few good people make it through public service, with their wits, hearts and souls intact.
I am one of those people, so I'm here to say, it can be done.
It's not easy, and you have to sacrifice a lot, as I did, but it can be done and it will be worth it.
The 11%:
Is the average percentage of eligible voters, that participate in local and school district primary elections.
In my analysis, based on 4 decades of direct observation, this is where you will find the highest concentration of Leaders.
It is not the only demographic of where one can look for leaders, but it is where I choose to start.
This book is written towards that 11% component, of American political involvement.
This may hurt the feelings of “the 88%” of eligible voters who do not participate in local/school district primary elections, but I'm not sorry.
I've literally spent my entire adult life trying to get that much larger demographic to pay attention, get involved and vote.
The number one excuse I always hear, “I'm to busy.”
So now I'm looking for leaders in all the right places.
Could it be you? One of the prospective leaders that I'm Quilling for?
Read further, and lets see what you're made of.
Topic 02:
How to fix a city: Getting Elected, Step-by-Step
This is not an abstract dissertation. There is a very specific set of plans you need to embrace. It will be very hard, and you need to accept that as your reality. Turning any city around takes a long time, and many people like you, who can/will do the hard work. Much of that work will be behind the scenes, never noticed by the general population and appreciated even less. You must accept that. It's a bitter pill, so swallow hard and chase it with a strong beer.
You have to do the work. There will be loads of 'nuts & bolts' work, and it will be done by people like you.
There is no substitute and no short-cut.
People will curse your efforts and tell you it can't be done. They will get right in your face, as you are working on their behalf, and tell you “nothing changes” and you're an idiot for trying.
Their selective indignation must not slow you down. Turn their negative energy in to your positive/proactive action.
Step “00”:
If you are in a relationship of any kind, you need to sit down with that person a year before the primaries start.
You need to have a very honest conversation about how your lives will change, even if you're running for a part-time city council position, in a city of 10,000.
If your partner needs two conversations, then give them two. If they need 14, then give them 14 conversations. Heed my words.
If you are a leader, you will find that the job will consume every second you can possibly give it.
It will then consume every possible second you can beg, borrow or steal, from every other part of your life. Starting with the time you spend with your significant other.
You must accept this reality, you must be honest with yourself and your partner, and you must know it will be worth it.
Your significant other, spouse, partner needs to fully understand this, as you need their total support, Love, guidance, etc., etc., etc.
I guarantee you, there will be times, if you win, that they will curse you for running, for winning, and for putting so much time into doing everything you set out to do.
Hopefully, your partner has a political mind like yours. So they can be your “chief of staff”, executive assistant, researcher, secretary, clerk, runner, chaser, bouncer, body-guard, soul-guard, mind-guard, heart-guard. They will also be the ONLY person you can totally trust. Heed my words.
Another thing, if you win, and you're out for dinner anywhere in your city. Get used to being interrupted and your meal going cold. Lay down your fork and give each interruption your full attention.
Most people will not even notice that it is your meal getting cold, and your family's patience being tried. Still be polite and give them your time. This seems like small basic advice, it matters.
THEN, just as they leave your table, give them your card and ask them to get involved. Ask them if they have a card. If not, pull out your phone and punch in their number. It's the least THEY can do, is get involved, after your meal got cold. I'm serious here, you must use every opportunity to get more people involved.
I easily passed 1700 of my councilman cards in 4 years, and very few people actually got back to me. That's exactly how hard it is to get people involved.
You're probably living in a town thats had the same 15 – 25 people run things, for decades, and now the town is so screwed up, only leaders like you know how to fix it.
Convince as many leaders in the city like you, who are good people, to also run for Mayor or City Council.
The best way to eliminate the good old boys club, is to start with as many new public officials as possible.
It's simple math: The more good people in public office, the less bad people there are.
Step 01:
All cities have some version of a “Good Old Boys Club.”
You need to carefully and completely identify who they are, how many there are, and what all their strong points are.
Step 02: Then you find out what all their weaknesses are. A good leader must identify their enemy. This is politics and it is VERY rough.
Step 03:
Your first reality check. Sit down and think about exactly what goals you want to accomplish, then write them down. Try and keep in to 4 or 5 goals.
Step 03(a)- Make sure your goals represent about 60% of the time you can reasonably put into a daily/weekly routine. The truth is, so many other and smaller issues will take up huge amounts of your time. Things you don't know about, things you cannot predict. Trust me, I've been there. That will be the other 40% of your time, if you're very lucky.
Step 04:
Now write down 5 to 10 specific steps, to accomplish each goal. Be realistic and very specific. This is the first step of refining your thinking and being a honest leader.
Step 05:
Write down next to each step, the resources/people needed to accomplish each step of each goal.
Step 06:
Now write down an estimated amount of time you think you need, to accomplish each step.
What? Don't shake your head at me. This is how you get big things done, with a detailed well thought out plan.
Step 07:
Now go back through your whole list and double the amount of time, you placed next to each step.
I'm serious. There were steps of goals I had in LP, that should have taken 6 months, and they took me 3 years.
That's because the politicians and good old boys club around you, will slow you down, simply by doing nothing. Thats how they wear down most good leaders, at all levels of government. They simply talk, talk and talk some more, but do next to nothing, when it comes to hard work. This is why you want as many outsiders like yourself to run, so you can have as clean a slate as possible.
Step 08:
Go to a Free website service, and put all of this information into your own website. Create an e-mail address, just for your website and campaign needs.
I can practically guarantee, you will be the only candidate with a serious website, full of detailed goals, steps, plans and nuance.
Create an FB page, X, Instagram account(s) as you see fit. The needs for that component of social media will vary, depending on who you are and what you want to accomplish. FB did nothing for my campaign, but it may serve you well. It's all about avenues of exposure, so use them all.
Step 09:
Now review everything, and have someone you trust review it. Make sure your solutions, goals, issues are as detailed as possible.
Remember, you're trying to reach the 11% of people who take the time to follow local politics. They deserve as much information, and detailed plans for the issues you want to work on.
You want some of these people to take your signs, canvas/campaign for you. These are smart/interested people. Treat them that way.
Chances are, some of them are smarter than you, and you will need them down the line.
Step 10:
Make sure, that once a month, you have set aside some “down time” for yourself, your partner, family, etc.
This is untouchable time, where you re-charge, let go and renew your faith in humanity, by doing something for yourself, your partner and/or family.
If you are married, please make sure you have a date night with your spouse, and make it about just the two of you.
I don't care if it's just you two going to a family restaurant for dinner, and then a movie.
TRUST ME !!!
You see, I did NOT do this.
I thought I could work a full-time job, put in 20 – 30 hours a week for city duties, over-see community events, take care of my elderly father, run a side-business and keep my sanity.
Do NOT be an idiot, and do what I did.
YOU have to make time for yourself, so that you stay in balance.
If you are a Christian, religious or spiritual person of any kind, Do NOT compromise your church or worship time.
That was the only thing that kept me balanced.
Hopefully your close circle of friends are mature adults, and understand they will barely see you for two to four years.
Hopefully they love you enough to help you campaign.
Step 11:
Organizing a campaign. This all depends on your budget, fund-raising, size of your city.
I'll base this part on a city 50,000 or less.
Part 01:
Campaign signs. Better to buy them, then to lose by three votes, because you couldn't afford one more.
I lost my second race by three votes, which is one more sign for people to see.
Signs do matter, especially if you're running for the first time. People must see your name, it's imperative.
Your website MUST be on that sign.
Part 02:
Press Releases. Most candidates for city council or Mayor of towns this size never do press releases. It's because they have no real ideas or policy proposals.
Make up a press release and send the media as much information as possible, details, details, details.
Send your press release to every media outlet in your area:
Newspapers, TV stations, AM Talk-Radio stations, Podcasts, E-media.
Create an FB page, X account for your campaign, and blast out all the information you have.
Never stop. The majority of the media will ignore you. So what, never stop.
Part 03:
Door fliers. Get your ass out there and walk your entire city, door to door. Give a flier to everyone, except those houses that say “no soliciting.”
I walked my entire city twice. Some neighborhoods I did 4 times. The poorest neighborhoods I walked 6 times. Why you may ask? Because economic revitalization is the key to practically every problem. People suffering the most from poverty, need to know you will work on economics. Most politicians can barely spell the word.
Part 04:
When the media calls upon you, take every interview offered. Even if you hate the media outlet that called you. Its exposure and you need that, since you're a righteous person, fighting the well-financed good old boys club.
Part 05:
Police and Fire dept. endorsements. Always take them. They keep our cities safe and protected. Police and Fire fighters are your best friends, never forget that.
Part 06:
“Meet the Candidates” Forums. Host your own, invite every other candidate. Accept every invitation to any forum out there.
Part 07:
Beg, Borrow and Steal volunteers to help you campaign. Anyone who believes in you and has the time.
Part 08:
Do NOT have Election day precinct volunteers, to stand outside the voting precincts. This pisses people like me off.
Again, the majority of people who vote in local primaries are already pretty well informed to a certain level. They know who they're voting for or against. Still, it's your campaign, do this one as you wish.
Part 09:
Don't “Go Negative.” Thats what politicians do. Talk only about your ideas and detailed plans.
If someone asks you directly how you feel about another candidate or current incumbent, tell them and move on to your next well thought out idea.
Part 10:
After you win, please drop me a quick e-mail. I want to build a compendium of decent people, who get elected to public office at the local level.
Part 11:
After you win, thank everyone who helped you, thank them twice, then thank them a third time. Shower them with your warmth and love, because they worked their asses off for YOU. They believed in you and your ideas. You owe them everything.
Part 12:
Now take one full day off, and be with your family, spouse, partner, significant other, etc.
Give them your full attention, thank them until they beg you to stop. Then thank them one more time.
Tell them how much you owe them for all the sacrifices they're about to make for YOU, over the next 2 – 4 years.
Apologize to them at least 10 times, for every upcoming family function or night out you will have to miss.
Remember that you are NOTHING without the love, support and Understanding of your family and friends.
And do NOT forget the one day a month rule. Never forget, to set aside that untouchable time, once a month.
Topic 03:
How to fix a city: Time to Govern and deliver on your goals.
Part 01:
You made it, you beat the odds, beat your opponents and took at least one public office seat away from the good old boys club.
Here are some guidelines:
The good old boys club will try and bring you in to their world. It happens to almost every new-comer. Tell them Go to Hell.
People that never spoke to you in city government or around town, will suddenly kiss your ass and slobber all over you. Watch out for these bastards, they don't care about you. They want something from you.
A few allies will come your way. Keep them close, as you are fighting an up-hill battle for the next 2 to 4 years.
Read Roberts Rules of Order, and follow them. Most local public office holders have never heard of this. You are different, be better.
Don't just 'be seen' at events around town. Volunteer some of your time. Get your family involved, make it a family project. This will allow you to teach your kids the value of volunteering time.
Many people in the city will stab you in the back. Roll with it. Its a tough game and you need to constantly be focused on playing the long game.
Part 02: Network
Build relationships with as many people in the city as possible. Regardless of who they are and what they do. Have them help you with parts of your plans and ideas.
EVERY person that helps you in the city with anything, big or small, make sure you thank them personally, genuinely and often. Make sure you thank them at council meetings, where it is recorded and re-broadcasted. Thanking people during your council meetings is not only polite and professional, it builds good will in the city. People like to be thanked and recognized.
Your Colleagues, most of whom will not have any big ideas, and are part of the good old boys club. They are still your colleagues. You must sit down with each of them, explain your ideas and try to get their support. At some point you will need it, when you have to bring resolutions up for a vote.
Number 3 is VERY hard to do. It will make or break your success in turning the city around. I had to do it, and I did not like it for one second. Accept the fact that they will get some of the credit for your hard work. Accept the fact that they do not like you. Accept the fact that they may vote to support some of your ideas, and then stab you in the back 3 weeks later on another issue. That is human nature played out in local politics. It is petty, rough, disgusting and horribly unfair. It is your reality for 2 – 4 years.
Never stop sending press releases. Everything you work on, every town hall you host. Everything you do, that can be considered a legitimate news story, send out press releases.
Topic 04:
I have just one more word of wisdom. If you're working on one of your goals, and its going no where fast. Set it aside. Come back to it in three months. Use that part of your time on other things you've got to accomplish.
When you come back to it later, you will have a better perspective and things will flow. Maybe the politics of that goal will be better aligned as well. Trust me, it really does work like that.
Thats it, the end.
I'm serious, there is nothing more to educate you on.
There is no great philosophical truth here. No sensational set of intellectual topics.
Please don't scratch your head, think there should be more. There isn't.
There is only your well thought out ideas, and the immense amount of hard work it will take to turn your city around.
To that end from one Patriotic leader to another, I wish you good health and never stop working.
You are the leader America has been waiting for.