Hello! It is the day before the election and I've had a chance to reflect on the last six months. Last night, I sent this email out to my supporters which I share on the blog in an attempt to make clear my message. Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions that you might have. I'll be checking email late tonight and getting back to you!
Thank you!
Dear Supporters,
I want to express my sincere appreciation for your time and effort on behalf of my campaign. Your support and friendship have meant a great deal to me throughout this process. As many of you are aware, the election is Tuesday and I would like to take a moment to reiterate why I am running for Gilbert Town Council.
This is a critical time for our town. I have based my campaign on three principles that I believe will sustain Gilbert families both now and in the future.
Fiscal Responsibility
Due to massive debt and overspending in both the private and public sector, it is imperative that we not allow Gilbert to fall into a cycle of spending more than we have. Tax dollars should first pay for essential services including police, fire, streets and water. Many moved to Gilbert for a certain quality of life that we want to see maintained. We must cut frivolous spending and create priorities in our community. This can be done by eliminating waste and a line by line analysis of the budget so that the taxpayers of Gilbert know that their money is being spent in the most responsible way possible.
Economic Growth
Gilbert is a town with tremendous potential for growth particularly in the area of commercial development. In order to successfully draw businesses to Gilbert, we must streamline processes and enhance the image of Gilbert in the business realm. This is accomplished by marketing Gilbert effectively, making it easier for businesses to thrive here and ultimately becoming a help to business rather than a hindrance.
Communication
In order for government to function properly, it is necessary for elected officials to communicate effectively with the citizens, employees, neighboring communities and businesses. My communication skills will help the town function effectively, draw new people and businesses and engage the families of Gilbert. Quality communication is essential to Gilbert’s ability to thrive now and in the future.
Your vote in this election matters. We need a leader who will represent the best interests of Gilbert. I have the skills and qualities that are necessary to lead Gilbert into the future and to continue to create a place where families are successful.
Once again, I appreciate your support and would ask that you encourage others to vote for me, Jenn Daniels, on Tuesday.
All the best,
Jenn
Monday, May 18, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Last My Turn Article
I submitted this final "My Turn" article to the Arizona Republic last week. Thought I'd share it with you to make clear my position on several current issues.
While Gilbert has much to be proud of we must also recognize that there is tremendous work to be done. Gilbert is on the brink of remarkable opportunity and it will take council members with vision and leadership to tackle present challenges without compromising the future. It will take council members with great communication skills, an ability to prioritize the community’s needs and someone who understands the challenges that the people of Gilbert face everyday. I have a strong work ethic, the skills necessary to communicate clearly and effectively and I have the ability to draw people together to accomplish our goals.
Our priorities for our community must include maintaining and improving public safety, improving streets and traffic flow, preserving current infrastructure including parks and town facilities and improving business processes that will allow Gilbert to be poised for growth now and in the future. It is essential that Gilbert open and maintain lines of communication with the citizens, keep our high quality of life through sustaining and properly managing our open spaces, properly manage your tax dollars and engage the young families in our town so that there is a continuum of leadership and a legacy for our children and grandchildren in the years to come.
A vote for Jenn Daniels is a vote for a fresh perspective, vision for the future and a voice for the people. www.voteforjenn.com
While Gilbert has much to be proud of we must also recognize that there is tremendous work to be done. Gilbert is on the brink of remarkable opportunity and it will take council members with vision and leadership to tackle present challenges without compromising the future. It will take council members with great communication skills, an ability to prioritize the community’s needs and someone who understands the challenges that the people of Gilbert face everyday. I have a strong work ethic, the skills necessary to communicate clearly and effectively and I have the ability to draw people together to accomplish our goals.
Our priorities for our community must include maintaining and improving public safety, improving streets and traffic flow, preserving current infrastructure including parks and town facilities and improving business processes that will allow Gilbert to be poised for growth now and in the future. It is essential that Gilbert open and maintain lines of communication with the citizens, keep our high quality of life through sustaining and properly managing our open spaces, properly manage your tax dollars and engage the young families in our town so that there is a continuum of leadership and a legacy for our children and grandchildren in the years to come.
A vote for Jenn Daniels is a vote for a fresh perspective, vision for the future and a voice for the people. www.voteforjenn.com
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sheeesh!!!
Last I checked 29 was the age of a completely functioning adult. Plus, I've had a birthday recently and so now the number 30 gives me LOTS more credibility. And so I've been led to my next article rebuttal. This time in response to an AZ Republic columnist named Mike McClellan - which to his credit actually gave permission for me to respond to his column. In a nutshell, Mr. McClellan claims that I believe in affirmative action and so believe that I DESERVE to be granted the office of councilmember. Nothing could be farther from the truth - and so I include my rebuttal not only to drill holes in his argument, but to share with all why I have worked so hard to be included in this process. Here it is:
Throwing around words like “affirmative action” is an attempt to deflect attention from the real issue: who has the ability to lead and inspire? As a candidate for town council, I am not asking for special treatment or a free pass.
It is unfortunate that some have criticized me for making comments on my website about my young family. My family is a large part of who I am. That is my life and because of it, I have a unique perspective of the needs of other families just like mine who make up the majority of Gilbert residents.
Despite the facts, some continue to state that I will bring nothing to the council except my age and that I am not "qualified by experience, or ability, or achievement." I strongly disagree. I have the ability to bring people together, to listen to all sides of an argument and then use my skills, knowledge and perspective to decide what is best. My experience includes my financial background, owning a successful small business, serving on the board of a non-profit, participating in an appointed position in my assembly district and involving myself in a leadership role on several state ballot initiatives. As a leader, I will work hard to keep taxes low, to help make Gilbert a place where businesses want to come, to open and maintain lines of communication, to keep our quality of life high through sustaining and properly managing our open spaces and I will be fiscally responsible by not increasing spending during this economic downturn on new, non-essential projects. Finally, I will engage the young families in our town so that there is a continuum of leadership and a legacy for our children and grandchildren in the years to come.
Throwing around words like “affirmative action” is an attempt to deflect attention from the real issue: who has the ability to lead and inspire? As a candidate for town council, I am not asking for special treatment or a free pass.
It is unfortunate that some have criticized me for making comments on my website about my young family. My family is a large part of who I am. That is my life and because of it, I have a unique perspective of the needs of other families just like mine who make up the majority of Gilbert residents.
Despite the facts, some continue to state that I will bring nothing to the council except my age and that I am not "qualified by experience, or ability, or achievement." I strongly disagree. I have the ability to bring people together, to listen to all sides of an argument and then use my skills, knowledge and perspective to decide what is best. My experience includes my financial background, owning a successful small business, serving on the board of a non-profit, participating in an appointed position in my assembly district and involving myself in a leadership role on several state ballot initiatives. As a leader, I will work hard to keep taxes low, to help make Gilbert a place where businesses want to come, to open and maintain lines of communication, to keep our quality of life high through sustaining and properly managing our open spaces and I will be fiscally responsible by not increasing spending during this economic downturn on new, non-essential projects. Finally, I will engage the young families in our town so that there is a continuum of leadership and a legacy for our children and grandchildren in the years to come.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Let it be known...
I wrote this in response to a comment left on AZ Republic yesterday. While normally I'd like to just ignore this kind of negativity - there were so many blatant lies that I felt it was important to defend myself. It is unfortunate that someone would intentionally be so misleading.
Here's a link if you'd like to read the entire article and comments:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2009/04/23/20090423gr-councilforum0424.html
Due to the blatant inaccuracies in msequira’s comment – I want to clarify my background and position on various issues.
I have been married and living in Arizona since 2000 – for the past 9 years, I have been actively participating in life. I have graduated from college, worked for three years in the private sector and owned my own successful business for three years. I have served on the board of a non-profit organization for five consecutive years. I have been actively involved in church and organizing youth programs. I have participated in ballot initiatives for two consecutive elections and most importantly I have been raising my three sons. Since when is being a Mom considered unemployed or “unemployable”? Msequira is suggesting that there is a quantifiable number that automatically equals experience – we all know that logical thinking refutes this. Age does not quantify experience.
Parks, recreation and open spaces are part of what attracted many of us to Gilbert. They are necessary and they definitely need to be part of our town. My position on local government funding of said programs is that we need to take care of the parks and programs that are currently in place. This unstable economic time is simply not the best time to open new parks and new programs until they can be funded responsibly.
Public servants throughout history have come in all shapes and sizes – there is no checklist that must be met to be able to serve one’s community. One must have desire and I have that. I bring with that desire a skill set that is imperative to our Town at this point in its history. I am not here to criticize the other candidates. All are great individuals who have led honorable lives. But I believe that my experience is what is needed for the next four years.
For the record, msequira has not asked me any of the questions listed in his comment. Any answers he has conjured are his own assumptions and NOT based on my statements or position on the issues.
If any reader has any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at jenn@voteforjenn.com I am always available to discuss my position and record with the people of Gilbert.
Here's a link if you'd like to read the entire article and comments:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2009/04/23/20090423gr-councilforum0424.html
Due to the blatant inaccuracies in msequira’s comment – I want to clarify my background and position on various issues.
I have been married and living in Arizona since 2000 – for the past 9 years, I have been actively participating in life. I have graduated from college, worked for three years in the private sector and owned my own successful business for three years. I have served on the board of a non-profit organization for five consecutive years. I have been actively involved in church and organizing youth programs. I have participated in ballot initiatives for two consecutive elections and most importantly I have been raising my three sons. Since when is being a Mom considered unemployed or “unemployable”? Msequira is suggesting that there is a quantifiable number that automatically equals experience – we all know that logical thinking refutes this. Age does not quantify experience.
Parks, recreation and open spaces are part of what attracted many of us to Gilbert. They are necessary and they definitely need to be part of our town. My position on local government funding of said programs is that we need to take care of the parks and programs that are currently in place. This unstable economic time is simply not the best time to open new parks and new programs until they can be funded responsibly.
Public servants throughout history have come in all shapes and sizes – there is no checklist that must be met to be able to serve one’s community. One must have desire and I have that. I bring with that desire a skill set that is imperative to our Town at this point in its history. I am not here to criticize the other candidates. All are great individuals who have led honorable lives. But I believe that my experience is what is needed for the next four years.
For the record, msequira has not asked me any of the questions listed in his comment. Any answers he has conjured are his own assumptions and NOT based on my statements or position on the issues.
If any reader has any questions or would like to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at jenn@voteforjenn.com I am always available to discuss my position and record with the people of Gilbert.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
EARLY BALLOTS
Early ballots probably hit your mailbox over the weekend. You can mail it back NOW or drop it off at any polling place on May 19th. If you'd rather vote in person, you can visit our town offices and vote beginning Monday, April 20th. If you aren't sure that you are registered, click here to find out.
HAPPY VOTING!
p. s. Just 30 days until the ELECTION!!!
HAPPY VOTING!
p. s. Just 30 days until the ELECTION!!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
TEXT MESSAGE CAMPAIGN BEGINS!
In an effort to connect to voters on a variety of levels, our campaign has launched a TEXT MESSAGE CAMPAIGN designed to do just that. To participate,
TEXT JENN TO 25866*
Here's the press release that we sent out to get the ball rolling:
Jenn Daniels, candidate for Gilbert Town Council, added a new layer of depth to her campaign’s media and get-out-the-vote strategy.
Today, the Jenn Daniels campaign enlisted the services of Gilbert-based mobile-marketing company, Blumo, which utilizes text messaging technology to market rapid and widespread notices to potential customers. Blumo’s clients include such large accounts as State Farm and Vestar.
Daniels’ campaign will now utilize this same technology in the weeks leading up to the election as a means to inform voters of her position on issues and the importance of participating in the town election.
“Text messaging is a form of media that has been used in national elections but is not widely used on the local level. I felt it was another way that I could communicate with voters and spread my message to the people of Gilbert,” said Jenn Daniels.
*Standard Text Message Rates Apply
TEXT JENN TO 25866*
Here's the press release that we sent out to get the ball rolling:
Jenn Daniels, candidate for Gilbert Town Council, added a new layer of depth to her campaign’s media and get-out-the-vote strategy.
Today, the Jenn Daniels campaign enlisted the services of Gilbert-based mobile-marketing company, Blumo, which utilizes text messaging technology to market rapid and widespread notices to potential customers. Blumo’s clients include such large accounts as State Farm and Vestar.
Daniels’ campaign will now utilize this same technology in the weeks leading up to the election as a means to inform voters of her position on issues and the importance of participating in the town election.
“Text messaging is a form of media that has been used in national elections but is not widely used on the local level. I felt it was another way that I could communicate with voters and spread my message to the people of Gilbert,” said Jenn Daniels.
*Standard Text Message Rates Apply
Monday, April 6, 2009
So Much to Do...So Little Time
Many people have wondered why we are having another election - "Didn't we just vote?" is a common question. Your vote in March was for the Primary Election which narrowed the field of council candidates from seven to four. We now move on to the GENERAL ELECTION on May 19th and the two candidates who receive the most votes will be seated on the Gilbert Town Council.
Early ballots will be mailed to voters on April 16th - which amazingly enough - is in just 11 days. Since 75% of the people who voted in the Primary Election voted using their EARLY BALLOTS - we have LOTS of work to do in the next two weeks. This is not to say that we won't be working hard ALL THE WAY to election day on May 19th :) EVERY VOTE COUNTS, especially in an election of this size, so regardless of whether you vote early at the town offices, through a mail-in ballot or on Election Day, GET OUT AND VOTE!!!
As a side note, we ordered more yard signs - if you'd like one in your yard or at your place of business, just drop me an email at jenn@voteforjenn.com and I'll bring one right over!
Early ballots will be mailed to voters on April 16th - which amazingly enough - is in just 11 days. Since 75% of the people who voted in the Primary Election voted using their EARLY BALLOTS - we have LOTS of work to do in the next two weeks. This is not to say that we won't be working hard ALL THE WAY to election day on May 19th :) EVERY VOTE COUNTS, especially in an election of this size, so regardless of whether you vote early at the town offices, through a mail-in ballot or on Election Day, GET OUT AND VOTE!!!
As a side note, we ordered more yard signs - if you'd like one in your yard or at your place of business, just drop me an email at jenn@voteforjenn.com and I'll bring one right over!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
My Turn Article
All of the candidates were asked to write a new 500-word article for the Gilbert Republic. Mine was included in today's paper.
It is always a challenge to take a brief snapshot in words - but I feel good about the message and the energy I was able to convey. Let me know what you think by sending me an email jenn@voteforjenn.com and don't forget to include any questions that you might have!
Thank you!
It is always a challenge to take a brief snapshot in words - but I feel good about the message and the energy I was able to convey. Let me know what you think by sending me an email jenn@voteforjenn.com and don't forget to include any questions that you might have!
Thank you!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Don Skousen - A True Community Leader
I'd like to express appreciation to Don Skousen for the MANY contributions he has made to our community. Undoubtedly, Mr. Skousen has had a hand, either directly or indirectly, in the life of every Gilbert citizen for the last 35 years. While I don't know Don well, I have had some good chats with him over the last several months and it has been an honor to get to know him. I wish Don and his family all the best and I appreciate the contributions and the sacrifices that both he and his family have made on our behalf. Don Skousen is a true community leader.
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