In-person events and door-knocking are the backbone of any campaign, but especially in Fredericksburg. We realized a couple weeks ago that we were going to have to adjust our approach because of COVID-19 concerns. The pivot point in my campaign came on Friday, March 13th (I’m not superstitious, but wow!), the day after our Governor announced a state of emergency in Virginia.
We have now canceled 20 Meet and Mingles, all future public forums, and stakeholder roundtables.
Our dedicated volunteers, tasked with knocking on 5,000 doors in Fredericksburg during the two months leading up to the election, stood down as we cancelled all in-person campaigning.
Initially, our decision was made out of an abundance of caution. Now we know just how important that decision was, since asymptomatic people can carry COVID-19 to others. Person-to-person transmission is by far the biggest threat to our community. There’s never been a more important time to lead by example.
Quite simply, the needs of my campaign take a back seat to the immediate needs of our community.
Think of it this way. Our house is on fire right now. Let’s put the fire out first, then we can work on fixing the plumbing, which very well may need fixing.
Right now, I am working hard to collect, and share, useful information from reputable sources to keep everyone informed about what’s going on in our community. I am helping individuals, small businesses and organizations find ways to get through this crisis. I believe those are the best things I can be doing for the community right now.
We are beefing up our social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Our website (JonForCityCouncil.com) continues to be a clearinghouse of news and views, including all of our weekly emails. (Sign up for our weekly emails here.)
(My other Facebook page, Jon & The City, is not part of my campaign, but that platform continues its outreach to the community by sharing events and happenings around town.)
And I’m spreading the word about voting by mail – the new way to vote in the City of Fredericksburg (at least for now!).
Even as we deal with this crisis, people ask me (via email now): “So what are the issues you will champion when you get on City Council? Why should I vote for you?”
Prior to the crisis, I identified the City's “Big-5” challenges:
• Schools
• Housing
They overlap each other like a Venn Diagram, action on one should consider the reaction on the other.
And now we have one new critical issue: our economic recovery, now at the top of the list.
I am ready, willing and able to address all these challenges and move our City through - and past - this crisis by employing 21st Century solutions. My leadership style of team building, relationship nurturing and finding innovative solutions can help the City when we get to the other side (and we will!).
The past few weeks the COVID-19 crisis has underscored our need for steady, smart leadership at the local level.
City officials, including the City Manager, staff, City Schools, public safety officials and leaders in the healthcare sector including Mary Washington Hospital, are providing strong leadership in this time of need.
Local businesses and their advocates are taking charge as well, adapting their operations and offering online orders, curb-side pickup and home delivery a new part of their business models as they struggle through this crisis.
And in between, tens of thousands of City residents are practicing social distancing while looking out for the needs of vulnerable residents in their neighborhoods.
Truly, we are all in this together, and what you are seeing now is quite remarkable: people of all stripes are pulling in the same direction. I am so proud of our community and again honored to call Fredericksburg my home.
If you believe, as I do, that this election calls for strong leadership and outside-the-box thinking, please consider voting for me when you mail-in your ballot.
I want to serve you and your families, and this City that we all love so dearly. I humbly ask for your vote.
