I expected that becoming
the next Ward C Candidate for Edmonton Public would have a learning curve;
perhaps I would even venture to say that I *hoped* it would. What I was not
prepared for was being asked this specific question:
“So, Mrs. Ketteringham,
what party are you affiliated with?”
My fleeting initial
thoughts were of the Soccer Fundraising Party (click here if you want to
donate) we are hosting at my house this weekend. Rapidly it was replaced with a
fundraising event (click here if you want to donate) my son and two of his
Grade 3 friends are attending Saturday night. Then I thought perhaps the
reference was about my son’s upcoming 9th birthday party. Then, just
as quickly, it dawned on me that it was about a political party.
Really?
I realize now that I have
always voted for the person, who they are and what kind of leader they will
make. I vote for the person who will
communicate openly and advocate with integrity, even if we won’t always
agree. For me, it’s about finding a
candidate who will work to resolve problems, not just tow the party line.
Let me be clear: I am running for
trustee to represent a community of people vested in the children of their
community. I am pursing a role with
Edmonton Public School Board Ward C to be a leader who seeks solutions, and
works in whatever way necessary to reach the best possible outcome with
effectiveness and efficiency. I am not
representing any one party. Aligning
oneself with one party for all time makes little sense to me, especially when
our children are involved. There are
many ways to approach a problem, and many perspectives, in my opinion, generate
a better outcome. I wouldn’t want to
support a leader who only had one worldview, and I would hope that no one party
would find my leadership worth supporting:
I intend to be the leader who seeks resolutions that transcend party
lines. Only a person can serve another. Person to person, I intend to represent, and
advocate, to hear, learn, and teach.
Perhaps the premise of a
‘party’ assures people of common values, priorities, and principles. I
challenge you to get to know those very things about the person you intend on
voting for. I know I always do.
Perhaps the question
seeks to know me better, what kind of person I will be when difficult decisions
need to be made, or priorities need to be set.
Perhaps concerns of party lines are a way for you to begin to trust me
more, especially with your precious children.
To those questions, I can respond that I am a person who will work with
other people until the wee hours of the night if necessary to find the best
possible solution for our children, and their education. Then the decisions that I participate in, I
will take responsibility for: making all
efforts I can to see the thoughts come into action, and be in conversation with
people who disagree. My husband and I teach our son to take responsibility for
his decisions, so what kind of a person would I be if I didn’t model that
myself? To me, this style of leadership
isn’t reflective of a party, it’s reflective of a person
So, if there is any one
party that stands out in your mind that reflects my expectations of leaders,
let me know! I suspect, though, that
what you are seeking is reassurance about who I am and how I will respond to
situations none of us can foresee. To
that, I say, let’s get to know each other.