From my blog entry:

I love democracy. I love the Republic. Once this crisis has abated, I will lay down the powers you have given me. --Senator Palpatine.

We won.  By an overwhelming majority.  We had an unheard of 48% voter turn-out, 28% of which voted early - also unheard of for this area.  We received 77% of the vote.

'Cause he's on a secret mission
Headquarters just radioed in
He left his baby at the dancehall
While the band plays on
Some sweet song

Now its time to repair; close the schism which had rent the town.  When asked about the division, the leader of the opposition was quoted in the paper as saying, "I make no apologies for the election. We went through the petition process and got some support for that. If it winds up being 75 to 25 percent, it wasn't as divisive as it was thought."  Sounds pretty decisive to me.

And on a mission over China
The lady opens up her arms
The flowers bloom where you have placed them
And the lady smiles,
Just like mom

Keep Anna Growing has been asked to stay involved in City affairs.  I think that's a nod to our effort.  Soon, I'll revamp the page and decommission its original intent.  I'll turn its sword into a plowshare, and use it to rebuild my town.  All of us who have banded together want the same thing, we all just wield different tools.

Angels wings are icing over
McDonnell-Douglas olive drab
They bear the names of our sweethearts
And the captain smiles,
As we crash

But I no longer trust those who I fought against.  Not because of what they did to my town, but because of how they did it.  They lied.  They cheated.  And worst of all, they didn't care.  People in positions of trust, and responsibility.  Their actions were reprehensible. 

As the dust settles though, I'm encouraged by something other than our victory.  I'm encouraged by the strong, sincere, honest men and women I've met.  People I fought aside.  We fought with honor, and we won.  Those who stood up wearing the armor of integrity outnumber those who embrace evil, and for that I'm thankful.

I see the Anna Melissa Tribune has a story on the election.
It shows the sign carriers. Men vs Boys quite literally.

I see the Anna Melissa Tribune has a story on the election.
It shows the sign carriers. Men vs Boys quite literally.

Unfortunately, only the article is online. I'll have to stop and pick up a paper to see the pic.

E: Thank you again for all your incredible hard work. Because of your (E & Draxr's) efforts, my family is now more involved in the advancement of our community.

I feel more "at home" here now that I've met everyone on the forum. This is what a real "community" is. Daisy mentioned last night that she already sees our 9 month daughter growing up, running around and playing with their kids. That means a lot to me! E, I have your child's drawings on our fridge! I was so touched by that gift.

Anna is not just a spot on the map where my family decided to make a temporary home until we can get a bigger place in country club neighborhood. It is where we want to raise our family, showing our children that together we can accomplish anything we put our minds to --- AND --- that it is right (and required) in this family to speak your mind and stand true to your convictions.

By 2010, it has been reported, that over 2.2 million more people will be moving into this part of North Texas (specifically North Collin and Grayson counties). We are ready for it! Bring it on! We early Anna citizens are the foundation of a beautiful and booming city.

Thank you for standing with our families and FOR our families.

~ Diana, Jimmy and Marisa

Let us never forget that good men and women must be ever vigilient to act out the good that is needed in the effective functioning of a republic.  To take freedom for granted and to assume good will be done, is tatamount to losing it.  Long live the republic.  I have joined to merry band to help achieve this task.

Mastermind