Associate Editor Diana Diamond has a column in today's Daily Post about "How to run for council". She starts off by writing
It could be an interesting experience. Or, as others have put it, "Are you out of your mind?"
Her round up of what it takes is pretty complete:
finding supporters and a treasurer, designing lawn signs and brochures and then, come September, spending nights and weekends appearing at candidate forums, handling phone calls and emails and walking precincts.
She leaves out raising money to pay for printing and postage. In some cities make that lots of money and a candidate cannot wait until September to do it. For example, one 2009 Burlingame candiate will hold her third neighborhood "coffee" this week and it's not summer yet.
For those thinking about running, the City Clerk indicates that the filing period opens on July 13th and closes on August 7th. If an incumbent does not file to run again, the filing period is extended by five business days, but according to news reports that won't happen in Burlingame.
Ms. Diamond goes on to write that
If elected, a council member will have to tolerate sitting in the council chambers for several hours at a time without falling asleep. He or she will have to prepare cogent remarks, be pleasant to "colleagues" and at least try to independently decide about issues facing the council.
Right on.
A third possible challenger has pulled papers to run for City Council. Two-time candidate Gene Condon has picked up the paperwork necessary to swell the field to six. Papers are due back from all candidates by next Friday, August 7th.
Posted by: Joe | July 31, 2009 at 05:42 PM