Back in January when I got into this race, I had to ask myself: “why am I the best candidate for this office?” Clearly the people wanted a change. Everybody seemed to know that there were problems in the recorder of deed’s office. I had known about them for about 11 years. I was able to confirm the problems by taking frequent trips to the office; so many, in fact, that incumbent Ellie Antoine herself pulled me into her office in 1999 to find out what I had against her. In my characteristic diplomatic tone, I replied that she treated her people like dirt and was incompetent at managing the office. Other than that, I said, I have no trouble with the way you've been running things.
Eight years later, here I am.
My opponent has been in the race since February. He had no plan. Instead, he promised to assemble a team and consult with it about a plan. He included at least one person on his "team" that didn't even know he was on it until I told him. Despite his "assembling" and "meeting" and taking "field trips," he only managed a plan 11 days after he took a copy of mine off a table at the Pennsylvania Constables candidates' forum on September 12, 2007. The plan didn't jump start his campaign.
When his plan did not catch fire, and led by Sentry Abstract, he spent about $46,000 as of October 22, 2007 to "buy" the election, including $40,000 of his own money gotten by selling sub prime mortgages to poor people. At that point, he had more in the bank than I had raised and spent for the entire campaign. He has outspent me by 500%, but it hasn't worked. I got a comfortable pair of shoes and my old 1988 Chevy Silverado gas hog, and went out door to door, meeting the people. If my opponent knocked on his own door, it was a lot. I guess some people use special interests to help them buy offices; other people just work to achieve office.
But, to paraphrase the Beatles, money can't buy you love, and my opponent's wild spending has not gotten the job done either. So he has resorted to public cheap shots.
Even though I have a plan (which is now my opponent's plan, too), developing a plan alone does not qualify someone to run a county office in Berks County. You have to be experienced in the "ways" of the courthouse to sell the plan. My opponent has rarely been in the county offices; no one even remembers him being here. I have experience in controlling costs and controlling taxes; my opponent has none. I have experience in public finance; my opponent has none. I have knowledge of what it takes to manage public agencies; my opponent has none. For 23 years, my opponent has written and filed the same narrow class of documents; I have a wide knowledge of document filing. And while you don't have to be an attorney to know the law, it helps. My opponent claims the office is adminstrative and that a law degree is not required. Well, knowledge of the law defining the limits of administration is; if that were not so, Ellie Antoine would not have been sued. Being a lawyer is not necessary to know the law, but reading the law is. My opponent and his supporters betray never having even read the law.
Even though I have a plan (which is now my opponent's plan, too), developing a plan alone does not qualify someone to run a county office in Berks County. You have to be experienced in the "ways" of the courthouse to sell the plan. My opponent has rarely been in the county offices; no one even remembers him being here. I have experience in controlling costs and controlling taxes; my opponent has none. I have experience in public finance; my opponent has none. I have knowledge of what it takes to manage public agencies; my opponent has none. For 23 years, my opponent has written and filed the same narrow class of documents; I have a wide knowledge of document filing. And while you don't have to be an attorney to know the law, it helps. My opponent claims the office is adminstrative and that a law degree is not required. Well, knowledge of the law defining the limits of administration is; if that were not so, Ellie Antoine would not have been sued. Being a lawyer is not necessary to know the law, but reading the law is. My opponent and his supporters betray never having even read the law.
So who is better qualified to propose and sell a plan of action in county government? Somebody with government service experience. That would be me. Selling a plan in the county requires a vigorous advocate, not a milquetoast.
There are people who watch things happen, those who make things happen, and those who wonder what happened. The Recorder of Deeds office cries out for someone who can make things happen.
The Montgomery County and Lancaster County Recorders of Deeds know I can make things happen—they’ve endorsed me.
The Homebuilders Association knows I can make things happen—it has endorsed me.
The voters in the spring chose me because I can make things happen— when I beat the incumbent.
What I’m asking now is for your vote and support and help on November 6.
So together we can make things happen in the Recorder of Deeds office.
So we can finish what was started in the spring,
A season of new beginnings.
There are people who watch things happen, those who make things happen, and those who wonder what happened. The Recorder of Deeds office cries out for someone who can make things happen.
The Montgomery County and Lancaster County Recorders of Deeds know I can make things happen—they’ve endorsed me.
The Homebuilders Association knows I can make things happen—it has endorsed me.
The voters in the spring chose me because I can make things happen— when I beat the incumbent.
What I’m asking now is for your vote and support and help on November 6.
So together we can make things happen in the Recorder of Deeds office.
So we can finish what was started in the spring,
A season of new beginnings.
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