Who do you know that I should know? Will you help introduce me?
Issue #14
We are less than 80 days from the election. We are anticipating a big thrust by our opponents as we head into these final months. Please know your secure online contributions or personal checks are going to GREAT causes. We have a Young Life golf hole sponsorship, a Spaghetti Western, A Chaffee County Fundraiser at the Orpheum Theater with comedian Samuel Adams, a few candidate panel discussions, a county wide mailer, radio ads, newspaper ads, yard signs and highway signs, all the usual items and a few secret weapons. We have a brief report on our progress then we’ll share a few of those upcoming events.
Proud Father
I feel like a proud father when I look at all the names of people that have made contributions in the form of time, talents or TREASURE to this campaign. It shows a willingness to engage, lean in and embrace the struggle. The Colorado Tracer site shows us with more contributors than all the other county campaigns combined. Funny how one paper failed to mention that. Their big thrust was the low balance we had compared to other candidates at the time. HA! This tells me that our campaign is truly GRASS ROOTS. Our support comes from people just like each of you, NOT big entities. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Letters to the Editor:
I know I seem to perpetually ask folks to send letters to the editor. Our opponents are machines. They always have one or two in the papers. The best thing about them is their costs: ZERO DOLLARS. Please get one in soon. After October 11, many people will have voted already. This leaves less than a dozen opportunities to get one published. Every now and then, the paper will publish my letters. Here’s one signing praises to the County Fair, the 4-H program and our collective futures. I was inspired to write this after the Chaffee County Fair:
I was fortunate enough to attend this year’s Chaffee County Fair. I saw the living embodiment of our ranching heritage, kept alive by parents, staff, and especially Chaffee County's Youth. Thursday was the culmination of months of preparation. Swine, sheep, goats, cows, rabbits and even chickens were all displayed for judging. Additional categories in arts, crafts, cooking and decorating added to the variety.
I was blessed to witness the judging of the sheep and goats. Livestock Judge Sydney Bowman excelled in her role. Her descriptions articulated the differences among each animal per category, remarking about the light flank here or the strong shoulder there. She sorted, prodded and engaged with every animal and every student. She questioned each student. Our young people absorbed every word. She asked the young people about their entry, specifics about the breed, growing traits and even offered how to show off the best attributes of each animal. These interviews lead the judge to craft individual feedback for every student. You could see the students beam.
Pressure mounted as the judge sorted through the characteristics of the individual animal. True to their charter, the 4H program excels at helping students pay attention to their head, heart, hands and health. Regardless of how they placed in the contest, each was receptive to congratulations, and confidently humble, without a sense of arrogance or attitude.
During the livestock auction on Friday evening, the tension ratcheted up several notches. Students beamed with pride, confident in a job well done. Fans in the bleachers fed off their excitement. Grandstands filled with supporters, local business leaders and close family members Students escorted prized swine, goat, sheep, rabbit, chicken or cow around the show ring while the auctioneer bantered the prices ever higher. Like in the movies, it was a fast-paced process where buyers had to pay attention or be outbid.
In this county fair, I just witnessed the future. I watched these young people master their fears while preparing for competition. They gained composure and self-confidence as we watched. If our future is filled with young people like these, our country is in good hands. Their Pledge: “ I pledge my head to a clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.”
More in the News
The Ark Valley Voice published replies to a series of questions for each of the five County Commissioner Candidates. Here’s mine from August 2nd. How do these answers stack up against my competition?
Additionally, you can also see here how our campaign finances compare. As mentioned above, I AM SO PROUD OF THE OUTPOURING from this county. Thank you.
Who do you know that I should know?
The current campaign focus is on meeting people that can and will share, broadcast or repeat our message. We do not want to rest on laurels but we have good saturation of large highways signs. Results from this signage was tremendous while hosting at the Gold Rush Days. Not a few people were looking for the “Tom McCracken from the sign.” Vouching for the effectiveness of the highway signs, they work. It may be the reason why the statewide opposing party has focused on taking back Chaffee County.
All that to say that we have some merch and bling available. Yard signs, hats, car magnets, large highway signs and more. PLEASE REACH OUT and text, call or email for your campaign bling! We spend a day a week installing signs. If you are on the list, we are happy to install the signs in this rocky soil. We have a pretty competent team ready to tackle any challenge. Just let us know.
We are also developing our final game day mailer. This vital piece gives voters one more reminder of our campaign, positions and a last bit of name recognition before it heads to the trash can. We are frugal with this product but know that it is an integral component of successful campaigns in Chaffee County. Please consider how you can help support this vital piece.
BV Strong Dinner in the Middle of EAST MAIN STREET in Buena Vista: Sept 16, 5:30 pm.
We will host 5 tables this year, up from 4 last year at the BV Strong Community Dinner. This is the 11th year for this event and it always draws thousands to EAST MAIN STREET in Buena Vista. DO NOT miss out: Please let me know if you would like to join us. It is a fun time to see people, connect with friends and strengthen relationships. We try to keep it fun, light and entertaining. (In other words, no stump speeches! Ha!) Just food and fellowship. Let us know what food items and how many are coming with you! (I was able to up my order of tables last year if we needed it!)
Candidate Panel debates/ Discussions SAVE THE DATES: Details to follow
Chaffee County voters seem to enjoy candidate panels, where all the candidates are invited to share their perspectives from a panel format. There are currently four of these panels scheduled. More details will follow but we want to get the dates on your calendars now.
Sept 25: The Ark Valley Voice at 6:00
October 9: The League of Women Voters 5:00
October 11: The Chaffee County Patriots 6:30
October 16: The Economic Development Corp of Chaffee County 5:00 - 8:00
Spaghetti Western
What? Not a CLint Eastwood but just as cool. We are taking over Salida with our 1880s gear. We have secured the services of G.A.’s Old West Photo Booth. He will come and take a free picture of everybody at the Spaghetti Western. They will be available before the end of the evening. Feel free to dress up in your favorite western anything. We are planning this old fashion event, complete with a tintype photographer, spaghetti, fun and kids games outside. More details on this event will follow. We’ll advertise it in the paper, put it on social media and print out invitations. Remember the Armed Forces BBQ? How about the St Patty’s Day Dinner? This is a combination of both of those events, in Salida on SEPTEMBER 7. That’s all we can reveal now.
Calls to Action: WHO DO YOU KNOW THAT I SHOULD KNOW?
Write a letter to the editor
Contribute a personal check or through our secure online site: Anedot
Call or text your address for a yard sign for you and a neighbor. A sign team sets signs weekly. Get on their schedule.
Plan now to make sure 10 of your allies vote early. Ballots come out around OCTOBER 11. Election day is November 5th.
Call for some wearable merch and we’ll get it delivered.
Let me know who you know and think I should know too. Then help us meet.
Thank you.
Tom McCracken
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