In Her Own Words
By Candice Quinn Kelly
People Politics
People often ask me why I am running for County Commissioner again. I often get that strange look that says “what is wrong with you lady.” In fact there are two reasons that I continue to pursue elected office. On the one hand I really enjoy people. On the other hand I really believe that government is meant to represent the people and can really shape the way a community views itself.
To some it may seem crazy but to me it is the course that I set out on many, many years ago. My political career can be easily summed with Thomas Palmer’s quote, “If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try again.”
Passion for the job
I have run for elected office 2 times before. While I haven’t gotten the result that I was hoping for on election day I would certainly say that these campaigns were a success. Each time I have run for office I have learned something new about the people in my community and something new about myself. I have had an opportunity to express the views and feelings of so many people throughout Charles County. I have had to think through the tough issues of the day. I have worked to bring people with different views to some kind of compromise. I have had to decide at times that I just couldn’t agree with some of the positions taken by some people I have met and who supported me and I have done my best in these situations to communicate the basis for my positions.
One of the most important lessons learned by losing an election is that it is not about me. People’s concerns and the issues that affect their lives continue to live on well after voting is done.
I have always loved people. That’s cliché but it’s true. I can be dead tired and dreading leaving my home but once I get to an event and begin talking with folks, I come alive. You find that for the most part most people just want to be heard but more importantly, most people do not want to be judged for their views. One of the most important roles of our elected representatives is to listen with empathy and objectivity.
People should be empowered to speak freely. It is healthy to have an open discussion on important issues. We can all benefit from learning what each of us truly thinks about issues that affect our lives. We should educate ourselves every day by continuing to better understand our neighbors and make a difference in our community. It is far too easy to instantly shut down when we hear an opinion that is not in keeping with our own. It takes true enlightenment and self discipline to maintain an open mind. While we may not be convinced to agree completely we may find a way to come to a compromise. When these exchanges arise we have a great opportunity to empower our community.
Communicate and Educate
Aside from being a mother, I would say that my sincere fondness for the democratic process is the basis for my strong passion for education. I think that only through a quality education can we ensure our future. Our young people must have the tools to work through the tough issues that will come before them now and in the future. They must be able to communicate and to build our community for the future.
The quality of education that our children receive impacts how they see themselves. In a sense it impacts how our entire community perceives itself. Our schools are so often the thing that binds us together in Charles County.
What People Have Had to Say
I have never had anyone tell me that they are concerned about the time it takes to get a subdivision plan through the Planning Department. I have had them tell me that there are teenagers loitering in the woods behind their house at night and that they are afraid to speak out. You can see the fear in their eyes and that they want the Sheriff’s deputy to patrol as often as possible.
I have never had anyone call me and demand that we raise taxes, but when they dial 911 and our volunteers EMS and Paramedics show and take control providing excellent care and reassuring them that everything will be alright, they are enormously grateful.
We are a community and it is essential that we meet the needs of our citizens. That happens in countless ways on any given day. There is little that a County Commissioner can take credit for as the work of government proceeds, and yet I feel a certain sense of pride as one who wishes to serve and humbled to be considered.
Why I Campaign
You can say that your door is always open but you really have to mean it. That’s why I keep running, because every time I open my door to a problem that is clearly not within my power to solve, I watch as other doors open and eventually, maybe over years things begin to happen. Things may never happen fast enough but I keep running because I believe in the ability of all of us to make change and move forward. From what I have heard over the years what we really want is a good place to live, our children and loved ones to be safe and healthy and happy, a reliable and fulfilling job and the sense that our government is working for us.
Public service takes many forms. To serve well as a County Commissioner requires excellent organizational skills, attention to the details of complicated legal and budgetary issues, strong work ethic and willingness to put in long hours. It requires straight, honest talk and the tenacity to move things forward even when unpopular, the ability to stand strong to protect the rights and well being of citizens, and sincere desire and interest in going out and talking with and meeting citizens. In other words you can’t hide in your office and surround yourself with “yes” people. Sometimes you have to go out and feel the heat in order to do a better job.
I have all of these skills and I have my faults too. But since my earliest days (I am 54 years old) I have been working in my community to make a difference. I get far more back from everyone that I meet than I have ever been able to give and what a blessing that has been. Sometimes being tough and tenacious isn’t pretty and as a woman I of course would like to be pretty. But as each challenge comes my way I have learned a little bit more about me and how I can better serve. Through it all I have met some wonderful people and my own life has been enriched.
I am running for President of the County Commissioners – this time may be the charm.
About Candice Quinn Kelly
Candice Quinn Kelly is a Democratic candidate for President of the Charles County Commissioners. She is a mother of three, a successful business owner, and a community organizer. In 2009 Candice was named the Philanthropist of the year by the Community Foundation of Charles County and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Charles County Commission for Women for her service to the community. Public service is a way of life for Candice and she continues working to improve the community; believing in the power of people to make a difference in the lives of those around them. For more information visit her campaign website at http://electcqk.com
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