Keep your coins, I want change!

With the elections only less than three weeks away, there has been a couple of articles on the SGV Tribune about contributions and campaign spending.

I'm doing my best fundraising, but in this economy, it's hard to ask people for money. Others have offered volunteering  - walking, making phone calls, campaigning for me - instead of money. I say, "Yes! Your actions are worth more than gold."

I just read an article dated July 2005 about how the City of Glendale voted for reputation over money. Glendale put the message out there that eventhough a candidate raised gazillion dollars, they wanted leaders who can talk the talk and walk the walk. Good for you, residents of Glendale!

Residents of El Monte...please, learn from this example.

As I prepare for another candidate's forum tonight, I will stick with this week's mantra: Keep your coins, I want change!

Go ahead, make my week.

Last week, the campaign sign fairy was so busy driving all over El Monte. The Verna de los Reyes for City Council signs popped up in the middle of the night all over El Monte, while the city slept. And, my campaign signs even survived the mini-Southern California storm last Wednesday.

I also had another busy week juggling funerals, politics, family obligations, and work.

On Sunday, I met Hilda Solis, the United States Secretary of Labor. As a resident of El Monte, she came to our campaign headquarters to give a few words of encouragement. She told me, "I know what you're going through. I spent many hours in this room putting together literature and signs when I first started."

Then, Hilda Solis, who is 7th in line for the presidency of the United States, patted me in the back and said, "You're doing a good job."

That made my week.

Nobody Walks in LA

I did my first walk throughout El Monte yesterday. I met great people and received great ideas and feedback. I drove from one block to the other. Too hot, too far to walk.

It's true, nobody walks in LA.

Survived!

I survived my first big fundraiser...it was really more like a party that my mom usually throws. Lots of food, lots of dancing, lots of laughter.

So happy to see my BFFs: the OG Azusa Girls, Team Davis, Team Mascorro, Team Poveda and John V. My cousin, Melanie came down from Las Vegas, and my cousin, Gale flew down from Michigan. Hardcore support! They had a first-hand glimpse into my new political life. Thank you, dear friends, for fighting traffic on a Friday night to come out and hang out with me. Now, if only I can convince them to move to El Monte by November 8, so they can vote...

I survived my first political party.  What I didn't survive is Medicare Open Enrollment. It's 2:21 a.m., and I'm still working on the Web site.

I'm telling you it's easy to survive politics...surviving Medicare is questionable.