Margaret Manion for First Selectperson,
New Canaan 2005

In The News: New Canaan News-Review 10/27/05
In The News: New Canaan Advertiser 9/28/2005

Meet the Candidates Night
Thursday, Oct. 27, 7-9 PM at the Lapham Community Center
(sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the New Canaan Advertiser)

PUBLIC SERVICE EXPERIENCE:

Substitute teacher in New Canaan elementary schools, mainstream and special education Amnesty International Assistant State Coordinator for CT, 2002-present, and Area Coordinator for Alaska, 1995-2000 Co-Organized Stop Violence Against Women Forum at UCONN Stamford, March 2005 National Organization for Women, Acting State President for Alaska, 2000-2003 Election worker, State of Alaska and Municipality of Anchorage, 1988-2002 Organized Peoples' Earth Day in Anchorage, 1995 Volunteered with Alaska Center for the Environment after Exxon-Valdez oil spill, 1989 JD, University of San Diego School of Law, 1982

WHY I AM RUNNING:
When I agreed to "run" for First Selectperson, I figured I would just continue life as usual, struggling to get my son through his schoolwork, buying groceries and gas (the cheapest in the area in New Canaan?! Will wonders ever cease?). I really didn't imagine that anyone would pay attention to my candidacy. But since the announcement, I have been approached by people (including elementary school kids) who have said, "I saw your name in the paper!"

The adults who mention it are not necessarily people I know. There is an air of excitement in their comments that surprises me. Haven't they seen the other candidates around town? Or is there so little difference between the Democrats and the Republicans? I hope it is not that there is a disconnect between the candidates and their constituents!

Perhaps New Canaan IS hungry for an actual choice. Perhaps it is absolutely necessary, in a political landscape where, at the national level, we have a ruling party that seems mired in varying degrees of scandal, and an "opposition" party that seems unable to seize the moment and articulate an alternative vision, to give people an actual CHOICE. How far apart on the issues are the Democrats and Republicans in New Canaan?

At one time, the American political landscape was teeming with alternative parties, and the discourse was lively and fruitful--if a bit chaotic! And it was taken SERIOUSLY (6 hour debates- who could tolerate that now?). We can at least open up that discourse again, especially at the local level.

"When's the election?" a woman at the library asked me. She sounded like she had a reason to vote again. I hope she does! Second Tuesday in November!

CONTACT MARGARET: newcanaangreen@yahoo.com

LINKS:
Center for Voting and Democracy
Amnesty International
Domestic Violence Crisis Center
National Organization for Women
Women for Afghan Women