email: The Steve

April 4th 10:15 PM

We need a mayor who has the time to glean what is practical from other efforts. I have those talents and the time. I need to get out now, so the majority of Elmwood allow me such opportunities to serve. Link Business Solutions Prairiespark Hub

April 4th 8:15 PM

I will post again tonight so I can walk more of Elmwood, tomorrow. If I have another good day, I should be finishing on Friday.

Good morning Elmwood,
Picking up from yesterday, the tumultuous decade. I think much of the dysfunction in government today and the partisan divide stems from the continuing culture war from the sixties. "The sixties" as a cultural era, really means 1964 to 1975. While I was in high school bumper stickers saying "America Love It or Leave It" started appearing. I always wanted a black marker to cover the "or Leave It" part. Vietnam was a big part of dividing Americans.

The times broke into Roseville's cultural bubble in many ways, but one was in the Spring of my senior year. Our math teacher, who was also athletic director, assistant football coach, and head track coach came into class questioning how we could have come to shooting college students? Kent State had been reported that day. He was very shocked by this, I really thought he would have said only 4, maybe 40 would have been better. His reaction made the reality of our times more real to me. I didn't have much respect for him, although I was not disrespectful. I think he was mainly responsible for our football team being 6 and 2 instead of 8 and 0 that year. He manipulated many decisions, but he was sincere that morning. If you do not know the reference to Kent State listen to "Four Dead in Ohio" Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young probably on YouTube.

As I went to college everybody wanted Vietnam over, but no one could actually allow it to happen. (think Afghanistan) I got a draft number 26, being a 1A prospect; it meant I would be drafted. I spent much reflection on my future after college was over. What is the moral choice?

I had a course with many returned veterans. These veterans could be defined as vocal supporters of our war efforts or vehement opponents. Each group about equal in numbers. The debate was often intense. I mostly remained quiet, but on occasion I would formulate a response, trying carefully not to make my inexperience, never been there, know nothing about the reality of the situation, to undermine my point. The turmoil has never been resolved in my opinion.

These were the times as I went to WIU, while I was there the last soldier to die in Vietnam form Illinois was reported. Someone has to be the last of the 58,000 plus American lives lost in Vietnam. This soldier was from Macomb, so I was reading about this while in Macomb. He was my age, so but for a 2-S deferment, it could have been me? I am here because I was part of the college bound? The draft stopped and protests ended. Our nation had an oil crisis; we went through Watergate. Everything seemed to put us into two camps screaming at each other. The inability of each side to recognize the legitimacy of the other has continued forward to this day. Each side was very wrong about some things, each side has some truth on their side, both sides really wanted what was best for America.

Vietnam still lingers like an old memory of some great rejection in life, it animates the partisanship of both sides. I had to untangle my thoughts about it. It was so dominate for everyone of my era. It still makes us want to be dismissive of those we think are on the wrong side. In Elmwood none of our issues are partisan, none are part of the culture war. We must listen to everyone, not think someone is on the wrong side. I believe we will find that those heatedly screaming at each other really want the same thing.

I am sorry this post didn't get to that engagement photo at age 30. Erik has had it as his Facebook profile for about 7 years. I am so lucky Nancy came to Smithshire and found me. Tomorrow I promise to twist through that tangled trail.

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Will get on with bio, no detour through Vietnam era politics, tonight. This was our engagement picture 1982, that was a long time ago.

April 4th Comment

Steve Davis for Mayor If a twitter user follow @elmwoodilorg -- I do think it is true that not just my generation was affected by Vietnam. It still spirals on in the extreme partisan tone of our current politics.

April 3rd

Being a hub was the morning reflection, connecting people, coordinating groups, communicating about projects, and monitoring results -- Elmwood needs this role filled, as mayor I can do it.

 

April 2nd

I am putting this out tonight, I will be trying to get to meet more Elmwood residents, in the morning. Elmwood is not my hometown, so I am filling my bio in. I can not be less than open, so here goes. I can hear the wall shattering.

Good morning Elmwood,
This was my high school photo for senior year. I was seventeen, my hair just grown out over the summer from my flat top. I was ready to enter my 12th and final year at Roseville IL. Of course, I wasn't really from Roseville I am from Smithshire. I went to school in Roseville starting in first grade. I knew several kids from Smithshire. There were five other boys my age from Smithshire. I lived 2 miles outside of Smithshire in the farthest NW corner of the Roseville school district. I didn't know anyone in my class in Roseville, but I did meet our most talented bully on the first day. He lived just outside of Roseville and rode the bus briefly with me. I had the long ride. He had a tremendous talent for picking at someone's psychologically most vulnerable scab. Combined with this early friendship and my refusing to overact, I slipped through mostly unnoticed and unscarred.

Still I was never really from Roseville, I remained something of an outsider. I played pee-wee and little league for the Smithshire Indians. Our team played in Roseville against teams made up mostly from my classmates. Smithshire won a lot, to the dismay of the Roseville teams. My education was better in Roseville, our class had many good students, The class had a lot of boys and some good athletes. I was proud of being a part of the class of 70.

I was always uncertain about just how good a student I was. Girls are so neat, organized, and on time. I was not. I was a somewhat unsophisticated farm boy growing up in an old run down house, living in the middle of nowhere. I had a great family at home, very much a part of the Smithshire Methodist Church. I was at home in all things Smithshire and Ellison Township.

I came to four realizations during those years going to school in Roseville. I have carried these four forward all these years later. I remember being in fifth grade in the old portion of the grade school, replaced with a modern one story wing in 1972. I was trying to define purpose in life. (I had been listening to those sermons almost every Sunday.) I decided life's only meaning was in serving others. I also knew I had no interest in being a nurse or doctor, so I would have to improve people's lives in other ways. Fifty years later my perspective is richer, but I haven't come up with a better answer.

My second coming of age thing was baling hay, I started being of some help when I was twelve, by thirteen and fourteen I was holding my own. It meant I was now like those high school boys I thought were so strong when I was a kid. I was foreman by fifteen and sixteen. I sometimes came out of the mow with sweat squishing from my leather work shoes, but I drank gallons more water on the breaks and felt good about myself.

When I was a freshman, our JV football coach was a student teacher. He had been a lineman at Western Illinois, and was finishing his degree by student teaching that Fall. He was given the JV as his team, so the junior seniors were off with the real coaches. He wasn't from Roseville, didn't really know or care I was from Smithshire. He liked students who liked O-line. He was running us through drills. I was to stand like a line backer as every other JV got in a line. I could stay until I was knocked down by someone's block. I attacked the tougher blockers with more force, slipping aside the the easier blockers. I ran through the whole line, and about half way through them a second time when Coach Brady said it was someone else's turn, I knew I had made an impression. He left after that Fall, of course. In later years I had my doubts about the real coaches. Especially when they wanted us to do two a day drills without water breaks, surviving on salt tablets. I had proved myself to myself that day as a freshman, I could compete with these guys.

The fourth, if I haven't bored my readers, by this point. As all college bound students do I took the ACT exams as a Junior. We had all gone down to a huge lecture hall at Western Illinois to take these exams, a different world from Roseville. The results were returned just after school was out for the summer of that year. This was about three months before the photo. I still wondered how good a student I was. I knew pretty good, but even I realized Roseville was not an exclusive prep school. There were several in my class who were better students than I was. My English score was several points below my others: math, science, and social science. I have been proving that low English score everyday in these posts. Social science was my best; I was in the 99th percentile, once again I knew I could compete with these guys.

I wasn't sure how, but I felt like I could contribute. Life doesn't always go in a straight line. It was the end of the Sixties. Times were turbulent, but I was still in Roseville High School. I was still in the calm cultural bubble of Roseville. I entered my last year feeling, OK, even though I am the awkward, not cool, but not uncool farm boy from Smithshire, I do belong here. I did have to leave the calm bubble; it was collapsing anyway. My life moved on to a world where baling hay and football couldn't carry you. Maybe the baling hay did, in the end.

So tomorrow the more turbulent times.

April 2nd

Good morning Elmwood,
One week from today is the election, please vote. Your participation strengthens democracy.

I attended the Multi-Generational project meeting last night. This project run in cooperation with U of I Extension was initiated primarily by the Elmwood Development Association. Accomplishments have been to identify Elmwood groups and their contacts, to conduct a survey of possible activities for Elmwood. The discussion came to how is coordination going to happen, how will a structure stay in place, what will keep this effort from just becoming another forgotten project?

Oh it will be remembered, at a meeting five or ten years from now, by someone with questions such as the following. Didn't we do something like this before? You remember that nice young college student? Whatever happened to that?

This has happened in Elmwood many times with many endeavors. If I am mayor, I can work to not allow it to happen this time. If I am not elected, my imagined future questions about what happened to this project will occur.

On the handout that I started distributing yesterday, priority four Talents and Resources, this is exactly what I am addressing. I am the only candidate who can perform this essential role.

In networking there are devices that are the connectors. They are called hubs, routers, and switches. Without such devices there could be no Internet. The Internet is essentially protocols that allow data to transfer between these devices. It allows me to post this morning refection and know it will be viewed by 200 or 300, (average according the stats, top post almost 600), anytime they come to Facebook.

The mayor has the opportunity to act like these network devices, being consistently available to transfer requests. It is important to know how to route the data, sometimes be a data filter. I am the needed connection in Elmwood's network. It is a role that is not being filled; it is a role that will not be filled if I am not elected mayor. Somewhat blunt, but I am breaking the fourth wall of politics. I try to be cordial and polite, but truth revealed in love is essential to a family. In Elmwood we are a family, let's strive to be a successful one.

Today more walking with handouts, gym appointment (losing 40 pounds is not magic). Tonight I will start my bio. I am thinking about using latest going to the gym photo currently on the elmwoodil.org candidate page, I've seen the suit portrait photo enough. Spring is fast unraveling, enjoy it.

April 1st

Good morning Elmwood,
I am going to start walking around Elmwood today. The sun is shining at the moment. I have a hand out with four priorities, I will tape these to a door knob, if someone isn't at home. The PDF is available on the candidate page on elmwoodil.org. Hope to see some folks, but I welcome anyone to talk, call, mail, email, or message me.

I want everyone to understand that I am not running against: the current mayor, the current council, or the past. I am running for the opportunity to help build Elmwood's future. I will take a different approach than others have, but it is a different time, Elmwood is in different place.

If we use an analogy of building a significant building as an example of Elmwood's future, then it is easy to see there are many stages in coming to completion. A plan or blueprint must be developed. The site must be identified and prepared, a foundation and basement put in place, then the frame of the structure, followed by the inside infrastructure interior walls, (plumbing, wiring, cabling), insulation, exterior walls, roof. doors, and windows. Finally a building, then parking, sidewalks, and landscaping. The building would ready to be sold, space rented, maintenance contracts issued, administration of utilities, taxes, and insurance put in place.

Building something of value, building something significant is a complicated process. It requires the different skills, of many different people. The people working on site preparation, may not be the same people doing the finish work on the inside or the ones out marketing the renting of office spaces. The skilled workman who pours and finishes a good foundation, is not resentful that another skilled workman finishes the plaster or the trim.

I see Elmwood's future as a great complex project. It will require all of Elmwood's people and assets to finish and market our future. It is a great day to get started. Thank you for supporting me.

Like, share, most importantly vote on April 9th.

March 31st

Good morning Elmwood,
It is Easter, I am off to three services this morning. I often hear people talk about our nation's decline. I do not not believe this, I think it is perception. If people are not crowding our churches, it has nothing to do with them. It is us the ones in the churches. We do not seek God, we do not love others as ourselves. These are Jesus two greatest commandments, and we can't seem to get those right. We have subverted our witness by allowing ourselves to preach too many messages filled with rules and regulations. We draw ourselves apart, not unite in Christ.

This may be human nature to vehemently assert the same message preached in some different style, so we may insist we are a separate people. When we separate ourselves, people start talking about decline again.

In Elmwood we all must row in same direction, if we are to reach our goals. It is a global economy, and we are but a small boat. Even if we are so tired from rowing in different directions, we could agree to take a break at the same time. Allow ourselves time to decide which direction to row in. If we do, you will hear less talk of decline.

Happy Easter must go

March 30th

Good morning Elmwood,
A sunny Spring day, I have performed my minimal morning chores washed a pot, fed the cat, fed the birds, let the cat out, let the cat back in. Made coffee, fresh ground, just the right mix of half and half, so good as I sip it. You could portray my life as good, or boringly mundane, in truth both at the same time. pause-- I need to get my second cup.

I was ready to share another story, but was reminded about breaking down the fourth wall of politics. What motivates me, why do I proceed as I do? I am sure it has often been my family's question, as well.

I believe Elmwood has great potential, I believe Elmwood has accepted a vision of its future that is far short of our potential. In fact, I believe we have locked ourselves into such a limited vision, that we risk putting ourselves on a path to economic retraction, not growth. We must work against current trends; all Northern states have seen population outflow to the Sunbelt states. Take away their air conditioners, and they would outflow back.

Innovation is an essential approach when working against a major historical trend. We need dialog, the flow of information amongst ourselves, it brings collective wisdom, it sparks creativity. The current approach to local government is the very antithesis of this.

I know I have the right set of talents to create this atmosphere of communication and coordination in Elmwood. How do I know this? I have some life experience to use in assessing myself. I used to be strong, I knew what and how to move something. If I knew I could move something, I did.

I know I am not the world's greatest singer, but I do sing. I could refrain from singing in the choir or with our church bands because I am not the best, would that help them? It is best to participate, try to help, realize sometimes you will make a mistake. This is how I approached running for mayor.

I wanted to help shape Elmwood's effort, coordinate our communications. I decided the office of mayor was the best role to do this, then I asked myself could I be a good mayor? I have IT skills that can help accomplish communication with ourselves and to the outside world, I can increase our effectiveness and lower our costs. Am I the best, am I an expert at all things mayor? No but, will Elmwood be better if I participate in the process? Yes, we will. I went through this self assessment with the needs of our community; balanced against my abilities or flaws. Determining if I could help accomplish successful approaches for Elmwood. I then prayed and sought is this the right path for me?

My life is about as good as it has ever been. I am getting fitter, enjoying the free time to travel with Nancy, I can help at church or on a mission trip. I am stress free and having fun, do I want to be mayor? I decided Elmwood will be less with out my participation, just like when I sing with the choir. I am not always correct on pitch, rhythm, or entrance. I can learn to improve, and without me the music would be diminished. I decided to proceed to win the election for the office of mayor of the City of Elmwood.

This requires stepping out making yourself known. I have learned to sing with confidence, because if the music inspires me, I must convey that to inspire others. I try to make each performance as good as possible, worrying about all your flaws is for practice. I have spent a lifetime studying small towns and rural development. I have always loved history and the study of government. I know how to move us forward, now is the time to use my strengths and do it.

Last night at the Good Friday service, I was brought as everyone is at such a service, to reflect on my self, my life, and my witness. I prayed once again that my life be as a proper servant and witness for God. I prayed that God's will prevail in this choice. If I will not be serving God's will as the mayor of Elmwood, then I prayed that people will collectively make God's will prevail. The voters of Elmwood have become the instruments of God. How could such a mundane thing, be such spiritual choice? The inspired and the mundane exist at the same time, in the same event.

If I stayed behind the fourth wall of politics, I would not be so open. It could turn off potential voters. I am about a new approach in all things, sometimes pragmatism and inspiration exist in the same time in the same event.

I am off to help hide Easter eggs, even though my mother felt such activities diminished the meaning of Easter. Still excited children chasing after unhealthy treats is Easter for many and that is also good news.

March 29th

I can assure everyone I've posted no photos- Honestly, I was like Terry Bradshaw, old fat and ugly before the fitness crazy took over. Even if I get fit and beautiful, exposing my true self is an inner self, not an outward exposing, so you can relax. One less thing to worry about today. One can only stand back and shake your head these days. Chicago Tribune Link

This is as revealing as I get in online images.

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