A campaign of silent action and ... doors... all the doors.

A campaign of silent action and… doors… all of the doors.

You’ve not heard much about what I have been doing, more so about what I am hearing or about conversations and my own thoughts. How those thoughts are shared with those I have met at the door. 

I am not one to typically take everything I have done and flaunt it to the world to get some kind of recognition. I am not doing these things as a political stunt. I am doing it because that is who I am and how I honour my commitment to the people to be an advocate for my neighbours.

 But, if I don’t say you won’t know so, instead I will put it all here in one document so those who want to know can find it. I may not have taken a picture every time I hit a door or did a training so, I hope you’ll just take my word for it. 

I completed my doorknocking on October 1st just 4 weeks after I started. My goal was to knock on every door in the ward. I ran into a few roadblocks, mostly gated resorts so I did my best to leave cards for residents in their mail areas. I also ran into some private lane ways, gated driveways and other impediments from getting directly to the door, if this was the case I left it in the mailbox. This all being considered I knocked on every door I could in the ward ( with some room for human error). 

I went down every road. I picked one and went down it until dark or until I was finished. I spent almost every night from September 3rd- October 1st on the doors. I wrote down every concern at every address I talked face to face at. I left cards in the door of anyone else. I went back to houses by request, took phone calls when people didn’t have time to chat. I answered dozens of emails  and messages from constituents after finding my contact info on the card. I wanted to hear the people, I wanted to meet my neighbours and I did. 

I knocked on every door I could. I am committed to this campaign in the same way I will be committed to being a councillor. I have a list of questions I am ready to ask and things I want to investigate.

Now, let’s go to the beginning. Around the time I decided to run, I looked into our sitting councillor Sam Branderhorst. I noticed this phrase in her social media “Certified Guardian with Guardian Network”. I researched this and their work and decided if I am elected I would really like to be a trained Guardian, especially living amongst my agricultural neighbours in a rural ward. So I signed up and on September 3rd I completed my online training. (If curious about the guardian network go here- https://agriculturewellnessontario.ca/guardian-network/ )

After this I attended a Civic Connection event put on by the clerks office. I connected with candidates and senior members of staff allowing for opportunities to get to know our staff and systems before a potential transition to council. I have continued to build connections with candidates, incumbents, outgoing councillors and past councillors. I have attended council meetings in person and virtually, all in an effort to smooth a transition if elected and absorb as much information as possible.

I also responded to an invite to attend an Election Connection Event and PELC. I chatted with community members and staff on a multitude of topics about the future of the County. I have been dedicated to every opportunity I could to interact with the community and learn more.

Then I volunteered with the Milford Fall Fair before the event and at the entrance gate. I decided to do all of these things because it is never too late to get involved and I wanted to be true to this.

In between, I created my website, did research on as much as I could digest, and completed my written interviews for various community organisations and news outlets. Including; Picton Gazette (submitted in early Sept, printed Oct 14), Quinteist, InQuinte, County Foundation and more.

Over the past few weeks since my door campaigning has ended, I have been hosting my friends from overseas on a trip that was booked almost a year ago and has been 5 years in the making. Throughout that time I have not stopped working. I have attended an All Candidates Event, responded to interviews, responded to residents, and written these blog posts. I haven’t stopped working for you and I won’t.

To top it all off, I received an email last week about another all candidates meeting and this prompted me to ask residents via social media if this is something they needed. There was enough of a response which indicated it would be beneficial. So, I put together a meeting for today. 

You asked, I answered- That is action fuelled by your input.

I have created everything myself, written every word you’ve seen or heard. I believe this is an important example of my commitment. I have poured my heart and soul into this campaign in hopes to show how dedicated I am to the residents and this opportunity to represent them.

With one week until election day, I will be hosting an event at Athol Town Hall tonight at 7pm, something asked for by residents. After this I will be commencing a smaller more targeted campaign for “Get out the Vote”, I hope to see more of you then!.

I am the Candidate who will ask you what you need rather than tell you. I am your neighbour and face many of your same frustrations. I am putting in the work, having conversations and listening to residents. I feel my beliefs are echoed in the conversations I have had. I will be honest and realistic. I want to continue open communication with residents. Most of all I want to protect Athol and the County. I want to move forward with all things in a way that supports our youth, makes lasting changes, and is sustainable in policy. Overall, let's make Prince Edward County an example for the future without compromising on what matters. 

This has been a campaign of listening, sharing, and silent moments. I hope my actions, hardwork and dedication to this campaign is enough to earn your vote in this election. I have embraced this campaign as if I already have the job of representing Athol. I am ready and want to be your councillor. All I can ask is that you vote- October 26th.

Sincerely,

Emily Jane Pickstock