A Campaign Memory

I did the technical formality yesterday. I paid my hundred dollars and registered as a candidate.

They still refer to it as nomination. But it's not.

Now I have to plan a campaign.

Oh Lord !

Early this morning, I thought about the late Ron Simmons. He was a Councillor of many terms.. And a variety of occupations.

He had the Canada Post parcel delivery contract.

If a resident was receiving a parcel delivery, Ron delivered a leaflet and that was the extent of his campaign. He projected an image that he didn't take much seriously. But he did.

He was a familiar figure in his red van driving around town with a fat black cigar in his face.

And of course...he lived all his life in Aurora . He played hockey when Minor Hockey was organised by Del Babcock, principal of Church Street school and the League strung out along the route of the Yonge Street Electric Car line.

The fans went along with the team. . When they won, the car rocked from side to side all the way home from the force of the celebration.

He played with Walt Davies, also an Aurora Councillor. They grew up on opposite sides of Metcalfe Street, yards from the railway line.Went to school together. Played cowboys and Indians in Sheppard's Bush and were chased by Sheppard's guard dogs.

They tipped privies together in backyards around the town park on Halloween night

They had both been Volunteer Firefighters and sat opposite each other at the Council table .Part of the time, I occupied the Mayor's chair.

Much that I know about Aurora's past, I learned from them. We were of an age. At no time ever, did they make me feel like an outsider. It was Aurora and that's what Aurora folk were like.

And of course, he had family and many friends. There wasn't much people didn't know about Ron , his much- loved wife Betty and their good-looking boys.

He enjoyed steadfast support at the polls.

I valued his friendship.