Thousands of words have been written about campaign finance
reform, both in San Benito County and nationally: the need for it,
rules to achieve it, why it won’t work, who’s breaking the
rules.
The unspoken refrain from career politicians seems to be
”
Great idea; you go first.
”
Thousands of words have been written about campaign finance reform, both in San Benito County and nationally: the need for it, rules to achieve it, why it won’t work, who’s breaking the rules.
The unspoken refrain from career politicians seems to be “Great idea; you go first.”
Yet a candidate right here in Hollister is achieving the kind of reform that nobody else even talks about: a completely cashless campaign.
Ardyss Golden, Pastor at Hollister’s Methodist Church, is running for San Benito High School Board of Trustees, but you won’t see her name on any signs.
She thought her money would be better spent with Habitat for Humanity than on signs that will become trash on Nov. 8.
You won’t be receiving any flyers or brochures from Ardyss, either.
She asked supporters who wanted to contribute to send donations to the Ridgemark Rumble, in support of San Benito Youth Services, instead.
Ardyss won’t even be going door to door asking for voters’ support.
She will go anywhere she is invited to go, to meet people and talk about her ideas, such as a coffee hosted by friend Jennifer Coile, but in general she would rather continue her activities as a pastor, foster parent, mentor and volunteer with the probation department.
As a result of these activities and others, Ardyss has connections with many local people, and she is expecting these connections to get her message to voters.
And what is her message, besides the possibility of running a cashless campaign? Ardyss says she has no predetermined agenda for the Board, but she does have a vision for the high school.
She believes San Benito High School can be a happy, healthy, safe place where all children will develop a sense of accomplishment, while faculty and staff enjoy their jobs and the satisfaction of helping children learn.
In terms of academics, she believes every child must learn to read, and better yet, enjoy reading.
She believes children who excel should not be held back, but should be moved into programs that maintain their enthusiasm and joy in doing good work.
She sees the school as a flexible community, with children in independent study programs included through athletics or other activities. Since she sees Hollister as a place where people still value families, homes and relationships, she believes the volunteer energy exists to find creative solutions that won’t “bust the budget.”
But as she said, she has no agenda. Her plan, if elected, is to listen, as a new pair of ears, to students, faculty and administrators, and to work with all as part of a team.
In this election, with record expenditures and negative advertising making news at all levels of government, it’s refreshing to hear of a campaign run on a zero budget by a person whose actions speak louder than words.
