Special thanks to those who supported my efforts. I decided to throw my hat into the ring at the very last minute. I was tired of the division — all of the hatred. The plethora of television advertisements made me cry. Then came all of the phone calls, random texts, and spam. You seriously can’t make it up. I wanted to make a difference. I gave it my best. My campaign started last Monday. I made my announcement via Instagram. My note on Facebook got some love. I only have 4 followers on X. I had no chance, but I was gaining momentum. A Cinderella in the making.

They called the election late Tuesday evening. No worries. I was OK with the other guy winning. He is very wealthy. He has been campaigning. He has deep pockets. He thinks he has more friends. He still can’t beat me in a long-drive contest. I learned a great deal in the past few weeks. My committee to elect was fantastic. Kudos to my son and several of his 15-year-old friends. They helped get the word out via Snapchat and TikTok. My lovely bride was great. She accused me of not taking my medication. But Teach eventually came around. She provided the markers and duct tape for my signs. Three families proudly displayed them on their front lawns in the neighborhood. I gathered them on Wednesday. Maybe I will save them. Room for a picture?

I made a few calls to the County. They were still tallying votes as of this morning. I didn’t care about losing. Nor do I have plans of my Amish friends and me storming their office. I was curious about how many tallies I scored. Forrest Lehman and his staff do a great job. They will get back to me. Even though some will call it a failure. I believe I set a solid foundation for my political future. My platforms were simple. Common sense. Make Lycoming County great again. Let’s open doors for people. TM pending.

I do have some experience. Besides my work and coaching. I was the Treasurer of the Key Club and a former Pledge Class President.

I was also the first to “come out” by breaking my silence. I was one of the mysterious 33 who applied to be an Interim Commissioner in the fall of 2014. This post was vacated when then-county boss Jeff Wheeland left for the PA STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The County Courts were responsible for finding a replacement because it was between elections. We all kept it hush-hush. Judge Nancy Butts never released the sacred list of names. RTK requests were filed. Sunshine Laws didn’t apply. Our community was in major shambles. We were in the dark for over 475 days. I came clean. Or was it my mother who spilled the beans?

Again. I am ready to move on. I am not shaving my head. Nor will I relocate to Canada. It’s cool. But I do not understand all of the hatred. Nor do I care who you voted for. Whether it was Trump or Kamala. Bob or Dave. Summer or Pedro. I still love you. But we desperately need to find a better way. Especially as we head towards the future. Our children are watching.

I have always been an INDEPENDENT. A tree-loving transcendentalist who votes for the very best candidate. My third-party guys and gals never win. But I love our democracy.

We need to get back to working together. Stop the madness. There is no need to boast or poke fun at the other side. Please be careful what you say or post. This election was very heated. Now that it is over, we need more love. Invest in your community. It is OK to disagree. Your neighbors will still be your neighbors. Regardless of their ties. Period.

These dopey politicians will not be there in times of need. Your neighbors will. That’s what makes our world. WE THE PEOPLE will make our nation great again. It all starts with you. Cheers.