My first yard sign
'Tis the season. It's time to take my Christmas lights down and start putting up yard signs for this important local spring election. I've never been a huge fan of political yard signs and it wasn't until 2010 when I put the first sign in my yard. Yesterday, the first of several signs was planted in my yard.
I've yet to do enough research on the candidates for city council but I'm already leaning toward a few of the nine. I'll probably plant a few signs supporting candidates once I hear from them on some of my critical issues. I don't live in the Janesville School District so my focus will be in Milton for that race.
My first yard sign is for judge. There is a very large and strong field running for the open local judicial seat. Frankly, if you were to walk into the voting booth, close your eyes, and choose...the county couldn't go wrong. Strong lawyers with a ton of community service and involvement. Most of their resumes are extremely impressive.
The first sign in my yard is supporting Tom McDonald. I am basing my support on his record and resume. In his role as council person, Tom has been one of the most consistent and prepared member of the council. His educational background is strong and diverse and his work as a lawyer has been as consistent as his volunteer work on the council. Tom may be a tad younger than the other candidates but age doesn't matter to me. Tom walks the talk.
For the record, I don't know Tom McDonald. We've been introduced a few times and he's in my list of friends on Facebook (so I must know him, right?). I only 'know' him through his work and his volunteer time on the council and as an usher at JPAC.
I'm proud to have the first sign planted in my yard. The race for judge should be a great one. As I mentioned, our county wins with just about anyone who wins in this field. I happen to support Tom.
Do you have your yard sign list planned? Who's going to be planted in your front yard?
Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jan 12, 2012 at 6:07 a.m.
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@saxcat70 thank you for your family sacrifice ;-) I worked on the Obama campaign in 2008 and I couldn't believe how many people wanted yard signs while I was in LaCrosse. It was ridiculous for awhile we didn't have any, and people would be in the office screaming at us about it. So then we would order 1500 at a time, and we would have them sold out (yes we actually charged people for them, and people were buying them) within a day or two everytime. It was nuts. I personally don't understand it, and I've painted alot of signs. But for some reason people measure how viable a candidate is because of the number of yard signs that are up. When I helped a local judge race up there, we hand't put yard signs up yet, once the yard signs went up that's when she apparently became a viable candidate. IT was really strange.
Jan 6, 2012 at 8:09 a.m.
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Re thetruth: Yeah that was a bummer. We learned from it and a few years later our owner died, and we hired Bill Polian as GM who drafted Manning. That 1992 draft reminded me of the Packers drafting Tony Mandarich in 1989.
Jan 6, 2012 at 7:38 a.m.
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Saxcat: Please send thank you's to your 3 children for serving in the military! My hats off to you and every other parent who raised someone who is serving or who has served in the military! SALUTE!!!!!!!!!
Jan 6, 2012 at 7:31 a.m.
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@IndyColtFan - How about when the Colts had the 1st overall pick AND 2nd overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft and picked Steve Emtman and Quentin Coryatt. How about that history?!
Jan 6, 2012 at 6:35 a.m.
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Thanks tthompson. My Colts also "won" the 1st NFL draft pick. The last time we had that pick we selected Peyton Manning. The rest is history.
Jan 5, 2012 at 6:17 p.m.
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psssst...janesvillefirst...obama won in 08. surprised you didnt know that...
Jan 5, 2012 at 5:02 p.m.
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Looks like IndyColtFan goes for all losers.
Oh well.....
Jan 5, 2012 at 2:37 p.m.
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thank you all and I will pass along the kind messages to all 3 of our military kids. sons a marine, just re upped. did 13 months in the sand box. his twin sisters are just finishing ait in army reserves, then off to college for them. The experience has continued them on their path of being wonderful adults.
Jan 5, 2012 at 2:29 p.m.
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"House for Sale by Owner" I think will be my first yard sign. It is time to get out this town.
Jan 5, 2012 at 11:24 a.m.
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saxcat70
Plus ONE to all the positive comments to your post.
And may God Bless and protect your Daughter.
Jan 5, 2012 at 9:22 a.m.
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Since I live on a busy street I have political candidates stop in to say Hi. Republican or Democrat doesn't matter to me. If a candidate ask to place a sign in my front yard, it's a go.
Jan 5, 2012 at 9:20 a.m.
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saxcat70- Please Thank your daughter for protecting me and my family.
Jan 5, 2012 at 9:12 a.m.
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I think yard signs are dumb & tacky. I could really care less who my neighbors support & I'm sure they feel the same about me. I also don't get the point of the major intersections that always seem to have a sign for every Tom, Dick & Jane running. Don't tell me your candidates name. Tell me what they stand for. I think the problem w/a lot of local elections is that the candidates don't have a lot of money, spend what they have on signs & do a poor job of getting their message out.
Jan 5, 2012 at 8:44 a.m.
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Yes: "Obama in 12" just like my "08" one.
Jan 5, 2012 at 7:48 a.m.
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Saxcat, that is a great sign, you should be proud, thank your daughter for her service!
Jan 5, 2012 at 6:23 a.m.
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we planted our first yard sign ever yesterday. It say "Our Daughter is Army Strong"
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