Mesquite Politics and Politicians Willing To Be Real

Since I came back from Washington D.C., I am so aching even more to talk about so many hot national issues as well as more reflective thoughts I have on Lincoln and others of our national history and heritage. However, I find myself a tad more focused on home again. Tip Oneil's famous statement that "All Politics Are Local" always comes to my mind. As a minister, I felt for the last few years that I should keep fairly quiet with regards to politics--I felt as if in some way there would be a conflict of interest I suppose. And I still sometimes have that inner struggle. However, after watching one of my heroes Governor Mike Huckabee, a fellow pastor and my good friend Pastor Dan Aleman (who is also President of the Mesquite Ministerial Alliance) both run for office and talk about important issues--I suppose that gave me a different perspective. Dan Aleman brought some very important issues to the table when he ran for city council a couple of years back here in Mesquite. Having said all that--I do still keep my preacher blog and my political blog separate. While Jesus is always my top priority, I think I can in good conscience still be a good citizen also--I think scripture encourages that.

So yesterday, I was so encouraged when I left the coffee/meet and greet for Gary Ward, who is running for Mesquite City Council. This was the second of two such events in the past couple of weeks. The first coffee was a group of younger families and individuals with a wide variety of concerns, interests, visions, questions, and even some complaints.

The second coffee yesterday--was a group of older more mature citizens with more overall conservative viewpoints. What encouraged me so much was that Mr. Ward, after sharing his story and his vision for Mesquite--then settled in and sat on the hot seat and took all kinds of questions--some that were not easy to answer. But he did answer every question--some he even just said "I really don't know--at least not yet." I like that kind of honesty. I'd rather a candidate just say I don't know and have to get back to someone as opposed to just giving a slick answer. But I can assure you that given Gary's many years of involvement in the community--there were many questions he did indeed know the answer to and was very passionate about solutions he had in mind to make things better. He also solicited input from the audience as to what ideas they might have that would make Mesquite safer, cleaner, and more financially sound.

What also encouraged me about Mr. Ward, was that there were two co-hosts of that coffee supporting him--that were once very opposed to Gary politically. Myself, and Greg Everett, former MISD Board Trustee who once served with Gary on the school board. I won't speak for Mr. Everett's past disagreements with Gary--he spoke most eloquent himself of those past disagreements and what eventually led to him and Gary seeing eye to eye on many issues and why he is now supporting Gary's candidacy. For me, when I was just getting into politics, there were a few local issues and campaigns that we were on different sides and some of those battles got a bit heated. However, even when I was opposed to Gary politically--I always knew even then--that Gary Ward is a man who is very passionate about what he believes in and will always stand and fight for those beliefs! I think it says a lot positively for a candidate--whose former political opponents come out and support their candidacy.

We need more of that in politics today! I think for me, I am certain there will be future issues or even campaigns in which me and Gary might differ. However, I am much more interested in candidates for local office who have shown a strong level of committment to the community over the years and who have worked in the trenches to better the lives of Mesquite families than I am with someone who just recently showed up and said "I want to play too." Don't get me wrong--we need lots of new and fresh players. Really "players" is the wrong term. We need concerned and caring citizens willing to get involved in bettering their community--who can learn to work with others who are involved--work past differences--to get something basically right and good done for the people! It is my fervent hope that more citizens who decide to run for local office in the future, will be willing to put themselves on the "hot seat" and go meet average voters and have a real give and take of ideas shared. Regardless of our many problems--and yes we face many problems both nationally and locally--we are still a great nation and a great community. Working together and with God's help--we can accomplish some good things for future generations.

Lets have a conversation.