The Revolutionary Pen - beta

Candidate Statement:
Frank Schiavone, running for Rancho Cucamonga, CA City Council

In life, there are powerful words that touch us in profound ways and have lasting impressions on us. Such are the words of John Donne, “No man is an island, entire of itself every man is a piece of the continent any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

We all have value. We are all in this together. Not the least of us should be marginalized, ignored or disenfranchised. All of our voices should be heard.

We do not have an aristocracy in America. We are “born not to the blood of kings but to the blood of pioneers and immigrants.” An individual’s value is not determined by how much wealth they have amassed, how many titles they possess, how many powerful people they know, or how well-worn their Bible is.

A man’s measure is the goodness of his heart and the “content of his character.”

In a democracy the government exists to serve the people - all the people. But with this gift that has been paid in blood comes responsibility and obligation. We are duty bound to participate in a democracy, the people are the “king.”

If we are not vigilant, if we are complacent, the government quickly forgets who their masters truly are. All too often, government has grown insular and arrogant. You have to have a ticket to be a player. Not exactly what our Founding Fathers had in mind.

I am running because I consider public service to be an honor, a moral imperative and a sacred trust. I do not believe my city is poorly run. It is administered well. But we need a course correction.

Rancho’s environmental policies have been reckless and short-sighted. We can no longer hold to this destructive path.

Now, who am I? I am a husband, a father, a grandfather and just one more voice in this noisy cacophony we call democracy.

What do I believe in? Honor, commitment, service, fidelity, sacrifice, compassion, fairness and stewardship are the values I hold most dear.

I can say with certainty that I will be an alternative voice and that all will be heard, even those with antagonistic points of view, for that metaphoric bell truly does toll for each of us.

Sept 27, 2008