Campaign Mail and Missed Opportunities

The campaign literature is arriving in the mailbox again, large, glossy, colorful pieces, printed on both sides.

Last election cycle, I had myself all wound up with an idea. I wanted to appeal to candidates to publicly pledge a small percentage of what they spend on campaign printing to preservation efforts on Main Street or in a neighborhood. Proof of a candidates civic mindedness.

I thought it was a good idea then, and standing over the wastebasket today, I was mad at myself for not putting in the effort to sweet talk candidates into making this kind of donation.

Think of the money represented by these mailers, the design, printing, postage, and distribution, all for something many of us glance at for a few seconds before dropping it into the trash.

What if even a small percentage of that spending became a contribution toward preserving a historic building, repairing a roof, restoring an awning, painting a storefront? Help save some small piece of the Main Street we say we care about?

Another election has rolled around, and I never did champion my cause. I regret that.

Thinking about money moving quickly from a campaign account, to a printing press, to my mailbox, and then almost immediately into the wastebasket seems such a waste.

l admire a well run campaign using social media and print. I don’t begrudge a healthy campaign budget, but I think a percentage of that money could be donated as a civic gesture to an agreed upon project that involves preservation of our historical commercial or residential architecture. Of course, the candidates gain positive publicity for their donation.

Three Council seats and a Mayor are up for election in 2027. is as important as it gets for the future of Rocky Mount. I appeal to all Main Street readers to get behind this idea and encourage any candidate to take up this civic opportunity. A little less to throw away and something SAVED instead.

if you agree that a percentage of the money spent on excessive print material, given as a donation by the Nash and Edgecombe candidates, would be a winning outcome for everyone, please share this blog and leave in the comments your support with a resounding YES.

I’m hoping that this sign of support for the idea can help influence anyone running in 2027.

PS: I know raising money for a Rocky Mount campaign does not fall off trees or if it did, there isn’t much to rake up. I know this is the Pollyanna side of Stepheny writing. But, when you throw this week’s campaign material from the mailbox into the trash, remember this idea. it is making lemonade out of lemons.