Login
Alexandria Lakes Are Chamber of Commerce
  • ABOUT US
    • The Chamber and Visitor & Resource Center
    • Our Team
    • Our Volunteers
  • Our Community
    • Visit Us
    • Make Alex Home
    • Do Business Local >
      • Chamber Bucks
      • Pride of the Lakes
    • Jobs
    • History
  • Programs
    • Chamber Programs
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Past Event Resources
  • Members
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
    • Join Us!
  • In the Know
    • Chamber App
    • Email Sign Up
    • Blog
    • Business Resources
  • Young Professionals
    • About AAYP
    • AAYP Events
    • AAYP Newsletter
    • Join Us!
  • Community Calendar

Respect one another this election

10/26/2021

 
By Tara Bitzan, Executive Director, Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
It’s election season again. While most of us would rather forget last year’s election and all the negativity, lack of respect and in some cases hatred that surrounded it, I doubt we ever will.

This year we have a few special elections going before Douglas County voters. Alexandria, Osakis and Parkers Prairie have school board vacancies to fill, and the Brandon-Evansville and West Central Area school districts have building referendums.

While these will likely not garner as much controversy as last year’s presidential election, there are still plenty of signs that there are strong feelings on these local issues.

And there should be! Referendums and school board elections are important to local communities. We should care, and we should exercise our right to make our voice be heard by voting, or by campaigning on behalf of the candidate or the position we support. But we should do so respectfully.

What does that mean? Don’t attack a candidate personally, rather dispute their position on an issue. Don’t pass judgement or attack people who support the other side or don’t share your viewpoints. Don’t call names. Don’t slander. Don’t falsify information. When you can’t act or react respectfully, walk away.

Here is something I wrote last year during election season that bears repeating: “If you and a friend always end up arguing when you talk politics, agree to not talk politics with each other. If a family member’s Facebook page always gets you riled, unfollow them. If your neighbor’s political sign bothers you, focus on the other side of the street every time you drive by or go a different direction. But please, don’t tell your friend they are an idiot because of their political views, don’t criticize your family member in the comment section on their posts on their Facebook page, and don’t sneak out in the middle of the night and set your neighbor’s sign on fire.”
​

There is so much damage done to a community when people lose control of their actions and reactions during an election. Don’t let this happen to our community. No matter what happens on election day, Tuesday, November 2 – if it is the outcome you wanted or not – be respectful, be proud that you voted, and do your best to keep focusing on the role you play in making our community the best place to live, work, play and prosper. 

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    April 2025
    October 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018

    Categories

    All
    Blog Post
    Spotlight Videos
    Testimonial

    RSS Feed

Copyright Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.
206 Broadway St.  Alexandria, MN 56308
320-763-3161 
[email protected]

Refund & Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce BBB Business Review
Pride of the Lakes Logo
Picture
  • ABOUT US
    • The Chamber and Visitor & Resource Center
    • Our Team
    • Our Volunteers
  • Our Community
    • Visit Us
    • Make Alex Home
    • Do Business Local >
      • Chamber Bucks
      • Pride of the Lakes
    • Jobs
    • History
  • Programs
    • Chamber Programs
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Past Event Resources
  • Members
    • Member Directory
    • Member Login
    • Join Us!
  • In the Know
    • Chamber App
    • Email Sign Up
    • Blog
    • Business Resources
  • Young Professionals
    • About AAYP
    • AAYP Events
    • AAYP Newsletter
    • Join Us!
  • Community Calendar