Larry's blog

(delivered at about 9:30 pm to the assembled faithful at Beaver Point Hall)

My doorknocking efforts ended at 5:30 pm today in the dark and cold of a quiet Salt Spring evening. Today's six-hour tour took me from the southend to the northend, from Roland Rd. to Maliview. I have done all I can. Now it is up to the voters, but with all the shoe leather I have used up over the past four weeks, I like to think that there can be little question as to who has been the hardest working candidate in this election.

Did I tell you about the gentleman who came to the door yesterday guitar in hand and serenaded us with his rendition of the Beatles hit, "Here Comes the Sun"? As an added bonus he indicated quite emphatically that he was voting for me. The incident brought to mind another Beatles tune, one that contains the sentiments many voters have expressed to me on the doorstep in recent days.

As I came away from the cheesery the other morning, all set for another day of doorknocking, a colleague beckoned me. I thought I was in trouble again, but instead she took me aside and thanked me for the discussions of agriculture in my campaign materials. She was particularly impressed by my treatment of the topic in my recent responses to the Driftwood. She said that she had been following this subject closely and that I was the only candidate talking about the importance of agriculture to our young families, our local economy and our tourism initiatives.

My friend John and I were doorknocking for three hours again today. Mercifully, it was a bit warmer than Wednesday. Still, the clouds suggested snow was on the way shortly. Good thing I was having my snow tires put on as we walked and knocked. Now I will be able to take voters to the polls safely if the snow hits Saturday. And at the last house on my route yesterday I came across one of our outgoing trustees and his partner. Two friendly and supportive faces answered the door. A warm and nice way to end the day. One more day of doorknocking to go!

Just back from three hours of doorknocking in Ganges with Jan. It rained the entire time. Umbrellas up all the way. Needless to say, the folks who greeted us in the doorstep were impressed to see us. One said he'd vote for me just because I had made the effort to visit him. At the last home on our route, I secured two votes. To quote the lady of the house, "Incorporation is insanity!" Well put. Now off to do another interview on Salt Spring Radio. The campaign is still on. I can feel the momentum continuing to grow.

I blogged about signs yesterday. Today, let me address another type of sign! I voted this morning in the advance poll in order to keep myself available for driving duty on Saturday. (Guess who I voted for?!) As I departed the polling station and crossed the street, a woman approaching me gave me a love tap on the shoulder and said in a firm and confident voice, "I voted for you." I take this to be a good sign and in many ways the only sign that counts!

The day ends with a "mixer" at the Harbour House, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. All of the more than 20 Islands Trust, CRD and School Board candidates are invited to attend and speak for 2-3 minutes.

Could it be a sign of their desperation? Is it a sign of where the big money is in this campaign? Some of my opponents have begun putting up lawn signs – big and small and lots of them, all professionally produced – all over the island. Salt Spring's natural beauty is now marred by this plague. One wonders what will happen if they get elected?! Is all of this spending on signs and the attendant visual pollution what they mean by "green business"? Is this a sign of what may come if they are successful? Salt Springers understand.

Work, a late morning nap after a long night, and then back on the hustings! My friend Ralph and I head back to Brinkworthy and three hours later we reach our goal of knocking on every door in this wonderful and important island neighbourhood. It took three visits, but mission accomplished. The many warm welcomes we received on the doorstep ("Hey, I know you, you're Larry Woods" is again a common greeting) – and the several invitations we had to come in from the cold – will always be fondly remembered by this candidate. Thanks, Brinkworthy!