Campaign Observations

By Jane H. Egly

Observations from one week of campaigning.

I am running for City Council. This last week I met with lots of people, participated in the forum hosted by the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts and appeared in Lagunatics. We have so much talent in this town.

Lagunatics has become another Laguna tradition. It is so much fun because it makes fun of us all + a real perspective check. Our own Bree Burgess Rosen puts it all together + with some help from very talented and hard working forks + and it is funnier and funnier each year.

Working with that group was pure joy. All are working to make the show the best and they do that by being funny, supportive and kind to each other. Of course talent helps.

All I can say about my appearance was a very good friend advised, "Don't give up your day job."

This fun helped me face a zillion mailers that have started to arrive. Wow, what folks will write in mailers. The good news is folks in Laguna think about what they read and question whether the statements in the mailers are true. We in Laguna do not like the ones that are mean spirited.

Campaigning for office is expensive. A one-half page mailer sent out to all of the voters in town with just two colors (more colors makes it much more expensive) put together by volunteers cost more than $6000. Yep, $6000 plus. I cannot imagine how much a mailer with lots of colors, put together by professional, costs.

Folks who support me have sent enough money to my campaign to put a child through one year of college + at a good college. I suspect some campaigns spend enough to send a child through medical school.

This is not good; it keeps some very talented people from running for office and attracts special interests who want to insure they get their way.

We all must be careful with our vote and make certain we are voting for someone who will represent us and not special interests.

I have not accepted any PAC money or special interest money. My campaign is made up of folks from Laguna who are volunteering their time, efforts and talents.

I ask for your vote. My job will be to represent you, the voters and residents of Laguna. Vote for Jane Egly, the middle name on the ballot.