This election was historic. People came out in record numbers, and waited in line for a great amount of time to cast there ballot, and let their voices be heard. A lot of attention was paid to national races, but local elections count too. I am a proud democrat, but in one race, I had to vote Republican.

For the 107th District of Illinois, John Cavettelo (R) ran against Patti Hahn (D). I went into the voting booth expecting to vote a straight democratic ballot. Republicans apathy in providing real reform, and their exclusionary social policies, led me to be a devote liberal. I then walked into the booth, and started marking democrats across the board. Then I got to the place on the ballot to mark who I wanted to send to Springfield to represent me in the state house. I saw John Cavelleto’s name, and my conscience got to me.

His name rang to certain sense of doing what’s right. I had the privilege of having John as my high school principle at a time, when there wasn’t a popular superintendent. I was a Junior or Senior in high school. I was quite outspoken and decided to get a campaign together to speak out about the policies of the school board, led then by a Superintendent Cliff Colbert.

I got a spot on the school board agenda to make a speech before the board. I stepped up to the microphone that night, and nervously started making my case for the policies I disagreed with, how they had shown not to work in other regions, and my disgust for the actions which they had taken. I was interrupted and told I did not have the right to speak at school board meeting, and should let adults do the talking. John in attendence stood up and said, “this young man has prepared his remarks respectfully, and I think he as every right to give that speech as a citizen and as a student.” He then let me continue speech, and I will always remember that moment, as someone who could have been muted, was let to speak out against what I deemed at the time as restrictive policy.

My second memory is of John in the gym of Salem High School, but not necessarily for the sports. I can remember on many occasions sitting in the gym’s seats waiting for class to get out, or class to begin. I can remember John coming down and swinging his tie over his shoulder and playing ball with the mentally handicap children. He often times would take 10-15 minutes out of his busy day to walk down and get sweaty with kids. This made them feel important, loved, and part of something.

I remember those two moments, and proudly cast my ballot for John Cavaletto. Some character traits I find more important than specific policies are compassion, the ability to listen even when you disagree, and the ability to speak up to do the right thing. These are all reasons why I voted for John Cavaletto. I didn’t want to vote against Patti Hahn, but I did want to vote for John.

I know John and I won’t agree on most policy decisions, but his positive reflection of this community, and his sense of purpose to something other than himself make him the example of the type of person you want working for you in your state capital. I wish John the best of luck and congratulate him on his election victory. I know he will do his best to to represent the 107th district.  

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We will see how far I’m off.  I have a feeling I might be off by a little bit, but I think this is going to be pretty close.  What do you think?

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By the way, don’t forget to come chat politics with me at 6p CST at www.farleyman.com/live.html

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