One of the most gratifying things about being an activist in Key West is having people come up to me on the street and thank me for doing one thing or speaking out on another. But while I genuinely appreciate being recognized for my civic work, there is also a frustrating aspect to it. The problem is that the majority of good, concerned citizens rely on just a few individuals to safeguard the public's best interests.
One of the most frequent things I hear from people is that they're glad I'm doing or saying things they wish they could but can't. They cite a variety of reasons for not being involved, from a lack of time to a lack of experience to a fear of retribution for taking a public stand.
That's exactly the kind of attitude on the part of decent people that allows the not-so-decent people to go on destroying our community. The fact is, everybody has the time and ability to do something, whether it's writing a letter, attending a public meeting or just talking to their friends and neighbors about important issues. And until a critical mass of residents makes a commitment to working for a better Key West, nothing will change.
Now, with city elections coming up this fall, concerned citizens have the perfect opportunity to start making a difference. If you've never thought about running for office before, think about it now. The mayor's seat and three City Commission seats (in districts one, three and six) are up for grabs, and all have the potential t be competitive races.
Candidates for these seats don't have to officially declare their intentions until August, but now is the time to begin laying the groundwork for a campaign. Pay close attention to the local newspapers to get an idea of the pressing issues facing our community. Sit in on a City Commission meeting or two to familiarize yourself with the players. Talk to your friends and see what they think about the possibility of you (or them) running.
And talk to the people who have done it themselves. I will be happy to share my advice and experiences with you. My number is in the book.
Most important, think seriously about the commitment— in time and energy— that you would have to make to do the job right. If after this soul searching you still want to run, then begin putting your campaign together. The folks at the City Clerk's office at City Hall (525 Angela Street) will give you all the information you need to get started.
To run, you must either pay a filing fee equivalent to six percent of the annual salary paid for that office or collect signatures from registered voters (404 signatures for the mayor's race and between 54 and 96 signatures depending on the City Commission seat).
While paying the fee is easier, collecting the signatures is the much better way to go, because it gives you a chance to meet the voters and demonstrate the seriousness of your commitment to running.
Next, find like-minded people to volunteer for your campaign, and you're on your way.
Even if you don't want to run for office yourself, get involved in the election. Collect petition signatures to get a candidate on the ballot. Help out with fundraisers and other campaign events. Walk door-to-door with a candidate in your neighborhood. It's a great way to meet your neighbors and find out what's on their minds. And it will give you a fulfilling sense of doing something concrete to make Key West a better place to live.
And once the campaign is over, the real work has just begun. Contact the mayor and commissioners by phone, fax or e-mail to let them know your concerns and your suggestions for helping them do a better job of representing you.
Come to a City Commission meeting in person— rather than watching it on TV— and make your voice heard to your elected officials. Don't worry about sounding educated or articulate, just speak from the heart. And even if you don't want to speak, show up and drag a few friends and neighbors with you. I guarantee you that it's the best free show in town, and seeing interested citizens in the audience is sometimes enough to keep commissioners from doing something they shouldn't.
None of us have the luxury of sitting back and depending on one or two people to watch out for the interest of all citizens. Remember, it's up to YOU to make a difference.