Maybe the ‘winning’ lies in simply being willing to try – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

Years in the past, my late father determined he wished to become involved in his daughters’ training.

Lately relocated to the Mississippi Gulf Coast from New Jersey, he was a veteran who believed in volunteering and serving to his group in any method he may. With two elementary age women and a 3rd one nonetheless in diapers, he determined training can be his focus.

Stacy Graning

So, regardless of having lived lower than a yr in Gautier and bearing the stigma of being a “transplanted Yankee,” George Grantland Jr. determined he was going to run for the native college board.

He gave that effort his full focus. He spent hours every night knocking on doorways, introducing himself and speaking in regards to the significance of training. I think about he repeated the story of crisscrossing the railroad tracks a dozen instances earlier than studying that the “Go-Shay” he was in search of was really spelled “Gautier,” after which talked about how he got here to like the rhythms of the Gulf Coast, its lazy bayous and humid nights, candy tea and grits, pecans and recent seafood. He additionally cherished his daughters and knew that within the late Nineteen Sixties, colleges have been dealing with modifications and challenges. He believed dad and mom wanted to talk up and be concerned, to assist convey in regards to the needed modifications and to make sure the kids acquired the absolute best training they may. He didn’t care about perceptions of Mississippi and its lackluster instructional methods on the time; he believed colleges may, and will, compete with any throughout the nation.

This isn’t a narrative with a wrapped-up, joyful ending although. My dad misplaced that election – terribly. He used to joke that he solely acquired 27 votes (I by no means fact-checked him) however the training he gained was invaluable. My dad met his neighbors – the pleasant ones and those who didn’t like Yankees – and he discovered what was necessary to them. Extra necessary, he discovered what was necessary to himself and his household: a willingness to step up, to talk out and to provide one thing your finest effort, win or lose.

Dad took the defeat in stride, and continued to volunteer and serve each time requested, in the end turning into a well-respected and well-known voice in the neighborhood.

I’ve been enthusiastic about my Dad and that faculty board election recently, as I learn via the every day updates on election qualifying right here in our personal group.

The women and men who’ve certified to run for the Aug. 8 main election have earned my appreciation and respect. It’s not a simple determination, and opening your self to the general public’s vetting and judgment that comes with politics on this age of social media will be downright terrifying.

However being keen to hunt public workplace, whether or not motivated by the will to enhance your baby’s life or a calling to serve, is admirable. And we want extra women and men who’re keen to take action.

Whereas nationwide politics could stir up debate on social media and cable broadcasts, native politics wield the best energy over our on a regular basis lives. The women and men we elect to public workplace – whether or not the sheriff, supervisors or county clerk – might be accountable for maintaining us protected; for offering infrastructure; for having fiscal duty over our hard-earned tax {dollars}; for selecting what will get funded, what will get constructed, what will get carried out in our county and our communities for the following 4 years.

And we want extra women and men like that transplanted Yankee who’re keen to step up and take the chance of operating for workplace, understanding that win or lose the votes, you should have been in a position to elevate the extent of discourse and to construct bridges in your group simply by making an attempt.

Stacy Graning is regional editor of The Democrat. Contact her at stacy.graning@natchezdemocrat.com