What it Takes to be a Candidiate

It used to be said is that all you need is a fat wallet and a thick skin to run for any office.  I agree with that assertion, but have to add that you need so much more today! The average POA campaign costs close to $2000 today, that money mainly comes from the candidates. Sometimes a candidate receives help from a few backers that are willing to donate time and/or money but usually the brunt of the expense is on the candidate and his/her family. Thick skin is a must because once you publically announce, you have opened yourself and everyone you associate with to criticism and rumor. It all goes with the territory and most people realize this before they go into it. I was warned!

• Besides these attribute a candidate must also be organized!  There are many event, meetings, conferences, newsletters and yes, blogs that need to be attended. Big Canoe expects their newly elected officials to be up to speed on the issues facing the community on day one, so each of us is expected to roll up our sleeves and get to know all that is Big Canoe.  This part of the campaign I have really enjoyed! A lot of work and thought goes into every decision that I have listened to and I, frankly, am very impressed with the caliber of intelligence that is on the present Board and Big Canoe staff. We also need to be well versed about all the documents that run our community.... not an easy task!  Have you ever read a legal brief before, strong coffee is advised! Our documents are thoughtfully, precisely, concisely written in all honesty and my hat goes off to all those thankless VOLUNTEERS that have spent countless hours honing our Governances, By-Laws and Covenances.
• A Candidate must have a sense of humor or all is lost! Your time is not your own even at 6:30 am at the Fitness Center! People say, ask, do the darndest things all in the name of free speech or just having an opportunity to have someone that MIGHT care, listen to them! A candidate can't take herself too seriously!
• A candidate must be honest and real. This seems a no brainer, but it is hard to not offend people with almost anything that is said in today's world. EVERYBODY's got an opinion and everybody thinks that they are exactly right in that opinion.  
• Candidates must try to represent the people that are in the community, not  strictly their own views. I don't have a whole lot of hard and fast opinions so I want to listen to what Big Canoe residents think about the great community that we all call home. I think that we live in a pretty wonderful place and I WOULD like to keep it that way.

BUT
If you have a thought, opinion, concern, suggestion or (shudder) criticism ...I want to know!
I can be reached even at 6:30 in the Fitness Center or.....
by email   LindaCarrig4POA@GMail.com
by phone  678-665-9276 (C)
                706-579-5099 (H)
or knock on my door
                2127 Beech Fern Knoll

I think that I have all that it takes to be a Candidate 4 POA and even more so to be a Director of POA.  Oh the wallet isn't as fat as I would like, but when is it??