Why I Support Don Gerard for Mayor
I first met Don in the early 80’s when he was one of the wunder teens in the band the Farmboys. Ernie and I were blown away by those guys….and although we weren’t close friends with Don, we ran in many of the same circles. I remember that youthful warm open smile that I see now in his son and daughter. Ernie and I left town a couple of years later, moving to Michigan before settling in Chicago for a time. I remember going to see Don with our friend Lisa Penelton when Steve Pride and his Blood Kin played at some bar I can’t remember the name of in the west Loop. I hated that club but I remember the band was great. After the show we chatted with Don. When we inquired about the wedding ring he was wearing he said it was just to discourage girls from hitting on him since he had a girlfriend. I imagine plenty of girls hit on him anyway but it shows a bit of the core of sweetness Don has inside. Of course he’s not just sweet, he’s a total smart ass----but he’s the best kind, the kind that doesn’t have a malicious edge---just an incredibly quick wit. My sister Judi always loved it when Don would leave a comment on my blog. If he went too long without a quip she would email me and say, "where's Don?"
We moved back to town in 1994 and since that time have seen Don in various phases of his life---the Record Service employee, the University employee, the devoted father and the generous friend. In the last few years, as we have experienced some ups and downs in our life---and frankly, the downs outweighed the ups for awhile there----Don was one of the people that always just said, “anything you need, anytime” and would email me his cell phone number as a reminder when things were getting bad. And I knew it was more than a kind offer, that we really could count on him. When we were short a babysitter he would call and say, “bring the guys over here.” Oh, and the boys ADORE him----and if you know my eldest son you know he’s a pretty tough nut to crack so that may be one of the most powerful testimonials Don could have!
Of course all those things just tell you some of the reasons why he’s my friend. But I am blessed with many wonderful friends and I can’t imagine them all being an ideal candidate for the mayor of our city. I believe with all my heart however, that Don really does have the specific combination of personality, intellect and skill sets that would accomplish much more than letting our city hum along status quo. Does that mean that I think our current mayor is not a good guy? Not at all….I think the current mayor IS a good guy that cares deeply about Champaign and has done the best he can working for Champaign. However, was I embarrassed that there was national news coverage of our mayor stating that he didn’t think Obama was born in this country? Hell yes I thought that was an embarrassment. And does he have the creative thinking that can move Champaign ahead in these difficult times? No, I don’t think he can in the way that I strongly believe Don will be able to. Given the current state of our country, and in particular the mess that Illinois has gotten itself into, I think we need a very smart, targeted non-partisan approach to issues like economic development and technological advancement, along with a responsible, no-nonsense approach to city services.
I have always thought that Don is one of the smartest guys I know as well as being one of the most down to earth. And I think that wonderful combination gives him the ability to accurately represent a much wider range of constituents than the current mayor and I believe he has the drive and natural curiousity to think of creative approaches for our city's issues.
Ernie and I have also always believed that Don was one of those guys that could successfully do anything he wanted to do. Now I am so glad that being mayor of the city he loves so deeply IS what he wants to do. This blog does not have a huge readership but I do want to ask those of you that live in Champaign to strongly consider not just quietly supporting Don, but taking the extra step to get a yard sign, contribute to his campaign monetarily or with your time, and tell others to get out and VOTE on April 5, 2011. It is so easy for all of us, some generations in particular, to succumb to cynicism. I believe that this election is important for Champaign however, and for our every day lives within it.
Ernie and I are kicking around some ideas for a fundraiser/event to have for Don, so keep your eyes and ears open for that (and let me know if you have any ideas). He’s also having a meet and greet this Wednesday at Boltini---there will be hors d’oeuvres and a chance to meet Don if you don’t know him----and to hear about his campaign!