Good Evening All.
May we all have many reasons to be thankful this day, and all days. Please take a moment to reflect on the good things in our lives, our families, a warm home, food on the table and our health.

But, please, also take a moment to remember our less fortunate neighbors; take some food to the food bank, donate to the local toy drive and contribute to our PUD's Power Boost program so that we can all be warm this winter.

One last request, regardless of your opinions on world affairs, take a moment, send good thoughts, even say a prayer, for those away from their families this holiday, serving in our armed forces, protecting and defending our freedom.

Happy turkey day!
Tony De Leo

Thank you all!


Thanks to all of you who supported me during my campaign for PUD Commissioner.  I tried to put a thank you in the Leader in the Letter to the Editor section this last week, but was told that I had to pay for an ad.  I will try to arrange that soon.

Sherry and I wish all of you a warm and happy holiday season!

They still need us!

"Just because the spotlight no longer calls attention to an issue, that does not mean that the need is any less critical."

The election is over, the debates now only a memory, the articles about the PUD Commissioner candidates and their priorities no longer fill our newspapers.

Many of the issues facing our community and its PUD, raised during the campaigns, are still as critical as ever.  Of all of the topics raised, the plight of our less fortunate neighbors is the one that must be kept in our minds and our hearts as the temperatures fall.  Our PUD has increased the reduction in winter power bills from $7.49 to 20.00 per month.  This is a start, but more, much more, must still be done. 

Many of the people, most in need, live in homes providing little protection from the frigid nights.  They are heated by inefficient devices, such as baseboard radiant heaters.  These residences, because of their condition, require great amounts of electricity to keep its occupants warm and to protect the plumbing from freezing.

Until our PUD can do more, it is up to us to continue contributing to the Power Boost program.  The funds raised by this program will soon be distributed by St. Vincent de Paul as well as by OlyCap.  Please give what you can to help prevent the devastating effects caused by power disconnects this winter.

Thank you!!

The anticlimax

As I look at the calendar, it has been only a week since the ballots were counted and the decision made, though, somehow, it feels as if it has been months.

A person prints a report just after 8PM, November 4, steps forward and reads two numbers, and that is it, the end.  I stood there for a moment in the Auditor's office, trying to process what I had just heard.  The end of six months of effort and commitment took only a few seconds, now on with the rest of my life.

I knew in my head that there was a possibility that I might lose the election.  I was sure that I was prepared for whatever the outcome might be, that I would be happy that the stress and long hours of the campaign, the longest job interview of my life, would be over.

Sometime the next day, I found that I wasn't as prepared as I had thought.  When you pour your heart and soul into something, a commitment to make a difference, to serve your community, your spirit may not understand the pragmatic aspects of an election.

While my opponent was out door-belling and holding fundraiser events, counting your votes, I was doing the research, learning the laws and studying the issues facing our PUD and our community.  I am now, slowly, clearing out the material I had gathered on PUD operations, eight three-ring binders and several file folders full of research.  I feel a bit guilty about how much paper I has used during six months of prep, but I will make sure that all the paper goes to recycling, still trying to do my part.
 
It is cool but he sun is shining, enjoy this day, and every day, as a gift.
Tony

I saw trees!!

"When you get too fixed on a single goal, the important things of life can, too easily, be missed."

First, thanks to all of you who are still tuning into this. 

Yesterday, while out driving, for the first time in a long time, I saw trees.  Being so focused on the my pursuit of the PUD Commission position, I, apparently, was so busy looking for good spots for yard signs that I no longer saw the beauty along our roadways, the trees and other wonders that make this such wonderful place to live.

This is a good sign that I am on my way to getting past the election outcome, regrouping and getting back to a "normal" life.

Have a wonderful evening!!
Tony

Here I am again

I know, I said last night's blog was the last, but wanted to let you all know that I did, in fact, survive the election's outcome, though a bit bruised.  I really needed a bit of time to regroup, but today was another day, Hospital Commission Meeting this afternoon (Wednesday).  I put on my game face, back in the saddle and doing my duty to the best of my ability.

All I, or anyone should, ask of me is to do my best while retaining my ethical standards.  That is what I did during the campaign.  I have learned a lot through the process.

I do feel that I have let down some wonderful people that, I feel, had depended on me to win this race and support their efforts.  To you, I offer my most sincere apology.

Thanks
Tony

Last entry

The count has been taken, the voters have spoken, Mr. Ken Collins will be your new PUD Commissioner as of January, 2015.

Collins   56.79%
De Leo   43.21% 

I want to thank all of you who have read these blogs and those who have supported me.  I ran my campaign refusing to compromise my standards or my integrity.  I and not now, never have been nor never will be a "politician", just someone who wanted to give back to my community and make a difference.

Thank you all
Tony & Sherry De Leo