Now that I have come up for air, I’ve had time to reflect on yesterday’s election. There is a lesson learned in all that we do, and all that happens in life. There is also always a silver lining; you just have to look hard enough to see it sometimes.
But first I will say:
A quote from my resignation speech three years ago: “Somerset is not the town I was raised in. It just is not.” I had hoped things would turn around, but they have only become worse.
I re-read my resignation speech for the first time since I delivered it on April 14, 2021, and sadly it is all still applicable. They always say, “If nothing changes, then nothing changes”. And unfortunately, nothing has changed. (here is the speech for those interested in reading it: https://hollyforselectman.com/resignation-speech-april-14-2021 )
Three months ago, when I learned that absolutely not one of the 18,000 residents were willing to go up against SOBBP and Allen Smith, after some convincing, I decided that running was what I needed to do. I stood by my word when I resigned, and running again to unseat Allen is part of that promise. I am proud to say that I tried hard and left it all on the field. I wish that I was able to get my message out much sooner, but hindsight is always 20/20.
Acceptance is the first part of healing. I knew that accepting the results regardless of the outcome was key to moving forward. And that’s just what I’ve done.
Most people still don’t see the full picture and were very easily convinced by Mr. Smith and SOBBP. The appeal is still in process and everyone’s taxes are going to go up next year. Mark my words. It’s not going to be pretty. Calling me a liar doesn’t change that fact, or any fact.
But it is what it is. The silver lining: I have at least 1,300 people behind me that listened and really understood what is happening. I now have a lot more free time to continue to get the message out to the rest of the town. I have a lot more free time for myself and spending time with people I love. I have a lot more free time to travel and enjoy life. And I don’t have to be constrained by the Selectman seat, so I can continue to be myself and be free.
For years I have been trying to break the mold of what it means to be a politician. People have always said that they don’t like typical politicians. I have tried to stay as true to myself as possible. I have been transparent with my personal life and my public life. Nothing out of the ordinary. Personal debt, hardships, professional photoshoots, gym pictures…I figure that people are more drawn to authenticity and realness. A lot of people can relate to that. We are all human after all.
Not in Somerset, though. Somerset loves a stiff suit. Moreso now than ever. They chastised me for being real, they used my personal life against me, and it worked. I don’t know how they can sleep at night, but that is on them. LET THEM. I am not going to let this change me. I don’t take this race personally, despite their attempts to make it 100% personal (still).
Mr. Smith’s team learned how to campaign finally after three years and two massive losses. Persistence always wins, good or bad. And they have been persistent. Cancer usually wins too. Cancer took my father when I was young, and he fought a good fight. Cancer has taken over this town and was in remission for a few years, but it is back now for the kill if we don’t do something soon. I’m afraid it might be too late. I have been barking up the tree for way too long. Time to let nature take its course, and what will be will be. Preparing to accept the outcome is the key to moving forward.
They disparaged (and still disparage) me to win the election. LET THEM.
They spread lies about me and the town to win the election. LET THEM.
They are obsessing over me and my personal life. LET THEM.
They are slowly but surely ruining this town. LET THEM.
They spread hate and lies. LET THEM.
They don’t care about the people of this community. LET THEM.
There comes a point of diminishing return where you just have to accept that things are the way they are, and people are not going to change. Sometimes learning the hard way is the only way. I can’t say I didn’t try.
No man steps in the same river twice. The world is much different than it was.
I will be right here watching it all unfold, exactly as I predicted, just as it has been unfolding over the past three years as I had predicted then…by the time everyone realizes what happened it will be too late.
Accepting the outcome doesn’t mean we give up the fight. They’ve won the battle, not the war. Accepting that people aren’t going to change also doesn’t mean we stop trying. LET THEM be who they are and LET THEM do whatever they’re going to do. That is all out of our control. We just need to keep moving forward and continue to do what is right. LET US.
Thank you to everyone that’s reach out over the past 24 hours. The outpouring of love and support means the world to me. There are still some really good people in this community, even though the numbers are shrinking. I love you Somerset. As long as I am here, I will continue to stand up for us and our town.
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