I often get asked the question, "Why do you want to run for City Council?"
The answer is easy. I love to serve my community. That and the fact that I am an excellent listener, creative thinker and a guy who rolls up his sleeves and takes action, I've got a lot of the qualities that I look for in public servants. And I hope that you do to. I've served the community in many ways, and am stepping forward to serve Saratoga at an even greater level.
Many of you know the myriad of volunteer jobs that I've held, and I think that it's important for you to understand WHY I do the things that I do. First of all, my parents raised me with the inherent belief that it is better to give than receive. That is paramount. There was a catalyst to get me started, however. When I was in 8th or 9th grade, I was studying poetry in my English class. We had to do research and find different kinds of poems. I found one that became the basis for my life of service. After reading it, I made a promise to myself that I would never be a leaner.
Thanks,
Chuck
Here's the poem (you can download a copy at the bottom of the page):
TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE
by Ella Wheeler WIlcox
There are two kinds of people on earth today;
Just two kinds of people, no more I say.
Not the sinner and the saint, for it's well understood
The good are half bad and the bad are half good.
Not the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth,
You must first know the state of his conscience and health.
Not the humble and proud, for in life's little span,
He who puts on vain airs, is not counted a man.
Not the happy and sad, for the swift flying years
Bring each man his laughter and each man his tears.
No; the two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are the poeple who lift and the people who lean.
Wherever you go you will find the earth's masses
Are always divided in just these two classes
And oddly enough, you will find, too, I ween,
There's only one lifter to twenty who lean.
In which class are you? Are you easing the load
Of overtaxed lifters who toil down the road?
Or are you a leaner who lets others bear
Your portion of labor and worry and care?