Winter campaigning, time between elections challenge for candidates

Maria Smith

CUMBERLAND - Winter weather can make for some interesting times when it comes to campaigning.

Veteran candidates take it in stride and go with the flow with some newcomers willing to do whatever it takes.

With the Feb. 12 primary election only two weeks away, the 13 looking to fill two seats on the nonpartisan Cumberland City Council don't have much longer to worry about it.

"Four years ago I took a snow shovel with me to get the ice out of the way to put signs in," Jim Combs, who has run for council before, said.

Brian Grim chuckles at the memory of his last campaign, run in the summer against Delegate LeRoy Myers.

"It was 110 degrees last time I ran and walked the streets," he said. "This time it will 25 to 30 degrees and that's a big difference. The weather's not going to stop me. I believe people need to hear directly from the candidates."

Councilwoman Mary Beth Pirolozzi said this isn't new territory for her because she hit the campaign trail with former state Sen. John Hafer when he ran for re-election.

"Am I looking forward to walking the streets in the winter? Probably not," she said. "But it will be good exercise and a good opportunity to meet people."

Carol Cauley was new to the political arena two years ago but said she learned much. And the winter weather and temperatures won't keep her inside.

"I just will brave the cold and do it," she said. "I have to go to work anyway."

Cauley also hopes to use the contacts she's made working at a city business to bolster her changes.

"I walk every day three miles regardless of the weather," Bernie Lechman said, adding he's walked the route every day for nearly a year.

He added he doesn't intend to seek donations but rather will use signs and count on his fans, his friends and his reputation.

Dan Morris admits to being young and a virtual unknown. Not a big fan of a door-to-door campaign, he said the winter is limiting in that people aren't out as much or holding functions outside.

Lindsay Farris doesn't believe a campaign is run differently regardless of the time of year. It's a "lifetime commitment in a sense." One must listen to citizens' needs and take action, she said.

In a wheelchair, Albert Keener said the weather presents enough challenges, but so do city streets. With a campaign manager, he'll have literature out and signs placed.

He also hopes to visit community centers and senior living facilities to talk about the issues and he'll look to organizations to get their thoughts as well.

Jerry Chambers is new to politics and said he doesn't believe in slinging mud. He expects his campaigning "will be somewhat limited" but intends to contact various clubs and organizations and get out signs.

David Kauffman said he decided not to campaign during the holidays, leaving him about six weeks before the election.

"The February date provides us with a narrow window of time to disseminate all of the issues pertinent to the city council election," he said.

Bill Taccino agrees and said he likes the gubernatorial cycle of a September primary and November election, compared to a presidential year.

"We're all at a disadvantage," he said. "I believe this will be a good primary election. One (Ed Hedrick) is not running and other one (Pirolozzi) is fairly new."

Four of the 13 will move on to the Nov. 4 general election, giving them nine months to try to keep their message not only fresh, but on the mind's of residents.

Most said the time period is too long and said they've probably take the summer off. They'd gear up again in September and keep going until the November homestretch.

Combs, however, said the city should have its own election. The city has claimed merging with the county has saved it $10,000 but that's not the case, he contends.

He said the county changed the tax differential and passed that cost back to city residents. Having a city election also would allow residents to focus on the council or mayoral candidates.

That also would resolve the nine-month time span between elections, a time when issues can change drastically, Combs said.

It's also difficult, he said, to keep one's name out in public if you're not an incumbent.

Pirolozzi is encouraged by the number of candidates and said "it tells me people aren't as apathetic as they used to be."

She admits it will can be difficult to keep a candidate's mission fresh but said she hopes her activities "indicates to people my interest and vision for the community."

Morris is one who likes the time between the two elections.

"It gives me more time to talk to people and understand where they're coming from," he said.

Taccino said it will give the final four a chance to "have their total team put together."

Devon D'Atri and Mike Records, who filed to run, did not return repeated phone calls.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.