Running for Fyffe City Council

Hi everyone! I'm announcing my candidacy for Fyffe city council. I'm running because I have a desire to serve, and to show my children and students that community involvement does not have to seem like such a foreign concept.

I have two primary goals in mind as I begin my campaign:

First, I feel like UFO Days needs a facelift. A few years ago, I served on the committee for UFO Days, and while the event is handled well, and is generally just fine otherwise, I feel like it could use an overhaul. For example, it shouldn't have to cost a small fortune for a family of four to come out and have fun. Yes, while some inflatables are free and the music is free, I think that we should really look into adding more free activities, games, and events. When I take my kids out, I am "dollared" to death at these festivals; I can't imagine what it costs those with more than two children! Another example is the lack of music targeting Fyffe's youth. I think we can do a better job at showing the teenagers of Fyffe that we value their participation in the community.

Second, I'd like to explore the possibility of putting together a technology center. Fyffe needs a Wi-Fi hotspot without having to buy drinks and food, and we need a place with multiple computers for the community to use. I can envision tutors teaching Joe Fyffe how to work his email and Jane Fyffe how to create files and folders for the recipes she wants to digitally store. I can envision classes on the basics of computer use, or classes on how to work specific programs or websites. A community technology center would only benefit Fyffe.

A little about me: I have lived in Fyffe most of my life. I'm a graduate of Fyffe High School, Northeast Alabama Community College, and Athens State University. I'm currently an adjunct English instructor at NACC. I've been married to my fantastic husband for eleven years, and am also a mom, stepmom, and Nana. In addition to being a teacher, I am also a writer, editor, and designer. I am capable and ready to serve my community. I hope you vote for me and allow me that chance.

I've been answering questions and sharing thoughts on my Facebook group, Pamela Gifford for Fyffe Council. Feel free to read and/or join!

ETA: Please mark AUGUST 23 on your calendars, and go vote! :)

Thanks y'all!

Peace, love, and voting,

Pamela

Being patriotic isn't what it used to be

There are many things wrong with this country. From the crookedness of many politicians, contributing to an overwhelming lack of faith in our government, to a broken system of welfare, immigration, and the like... it can be consuming if you think about it too hard. One thing I learned in my own little corner of politics is that many people will think one thing or at least tell you one thing to your face, but then bow to the pressure of those who have the most money and power. Politics, the heart of our government, is a delicate dance between doing what is right and caving to something that isn't, if only for the ease of another burden. It can easily lead to hard feelings and even in small towns, is very stressful for everyone involved.

For many voters, the stress of day to day life leaves little left to concern oneself with such things as politics, especially when it seems like there's nothing one can do to right seemingly obvious wrongs. It's easier to go on about life, I suppose, pushing on in blind hope that those in power really do have the best interests of the people at heart as opposed to only their own best interests.

Though my political involvement thus far has been a little sour (and I still cringe at the label of "politician" as people recall my failed run for office), I still have that desire in my heart to be a part of something bigger than myself and to assist with change that can help people. To me, that's what being patriotic is.

I'm patriotic in the sense that I am glad I live in a country where I can walk into a restaurant and pray and not worry about law enforcement coming to arrest me or lop my head off. Many countries' citizens can't say the same. I'm patriotic in the sense that I'm glad I can pursue a seat in my local government (or state or even national, not that my aspirations are as such, but I could if I wanted to!). I'm patriotic in the sense that I can recall my studies of history and be proud of the foundation this country was built on.

I don't have to like everything that politics and government stand for today, but I can hope for something better and that hope, to me, is the basis of patriotism.

Happy Independence Day, y'all. I'm going to leave you with a quote from one of my writer friends.

"Happy birthday to my country. It is not perfect, but it is still a land of opportunity and wonder, and a land that is slowly beginning to look towards the future instead of a mythic past. I am a raging liberal and patriotism is not always popular amongst my ilk, but I feel like if you don't love where you came from you can't love where you're going. I love all the people and places of America and all of our ideals, and yes, I am proud to be an American." - Nancy Knows

Peace, love, and hope,

Pamela

Positivity in politics: Is there such a thing?

It's been hard for me to come out of the funk that's shadowed me for the last few weeks and as I go through one of the most pivotal changes of my life, I'm sure that shadow will periodically cloud me over the next several months. For the most part, my journey from this point out is clear and I continue to learn and grow as a person. But just because things are clear, doesn't mean it's easy.

This political campaign season, both nationally and locally, has been especially heated; I don't remember any such time before where it has been so bad. It's no wonder that people become apathetic or are afraid to voice their opinions.  Over the last several months, I have found myself withdrawn from posting my own opinions, simply because I just don't want to deal with the negativity that usually follows. I have enough drama and stress in my personal life that I don't need to scramble to defend myself online. So much for strong, vocal me, huh? It's hard not to let this stuff get to you. It's hard to stay positive when you read and hear so much negativity. One of my pitfalls is that I tend to focus on the bad things people say and dismiss the good. Negativity seems to have so much more power than positivity and I guess that's why people have to work harder to be at peace with themselves and the world around them. One of my Facebook friends, Bronson Lee, wrote, "Individuals who are able to maintain a positive outlook on life no matter the situation are an inspiration to me. I wholeheartedly desire to obtain this type of emotional balance in my life. I am often put to the test, and I frequently fail!" I feel the same way. While I'm not quite to that point where I don't let others get to me, I feel that I'm continuing to learn and will soon be able to say, "You know what? I really don't care what you think of me. I'm happy and my kids are happy and that's all that matters."

Politics in of itself has such a negative connotation that during my campaign for council, anytime someone called me a politician, I vehemently denied that title. And each time I hear or see someone post or say something that is blatantly false, or an opinion that isn't backed by information so abundantly out there for them to read, something inside me starts to boil and that's something that I need to learn to let pass. Though I'm currently involved in a political group, it has taken some time for me to acclimate to that role. I'm gradually learning how to navigate the negativity without letting it impact the very details of my life.  I had to ask myself if I felt strongly enough about this cause to pursue it without doubts, to work at it without letting the aura around it affect my life in a negative manner, and if I was really pursuing it for the right reasons. I don't know that I've fully reached a decision yet but the decision-making process has been an educational experience for me.  To guide me, I take a look at what a dear friend of mine has accomplished. I watched him go from one of the worst turns of his life to reshaping it into something toward the better good. It's inspiring and helps me focus more on what I need to do for myself.

In the meantime, I will try to be as positive as I can be. It's hard to see how dismal the world has gotten while maintaining a sense of sunshine. It's difficult to see what new ways people are coming up with to hurt each other while trying to stay optimistic.

Enthusiasm and positivity, though, is what is needed to further oneself in life and that's exactly what I strive to do. Here's hoping your goals are the same no matter where you are in life.

Peace, love, and optimism,

Pamela