The race is on!

I officially started knocking doors today.  Everyone was very receptive to my visits.  I always try to be brief unless someone wants to chat.  I even had one gentleman tell me he remembered seeing my picture on TV when Governor Nixon made the announcement about my appointment.  I was surprised to say the least.  I was also invited to put my sign out in several people's yards which I always appreciate.   I took full advantage of this beautiful, cool evening to begin the long process of asking YOU for your vote in August.
Powell for Treasurer 2012
VOTE for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

Hard as rock

The ground is so hard it is a real challenge to get my signs into the ground.  We carry a screw driver and a hammer with us to make a hole in the ground and even that doesn't work some of the time.  Fortunately, there is rain in the forecast for tonight.  I hope they're right this time and not just for me but for the farmers too!  I think they need the rain more than I do because the crops are at a critical growth stage.  Does anybody know a reliable rain dance? LOL
Powell for Treasurer 2012
VOTE for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

Crazy weekend

We had family and friends at the house this weekend for a visit, but Rick and I managed to squeeze in a Cattlemen's fundraiser on Saturday, the Madison Lion's Club fundraiser on Sunday, church on Sunday followed by another Madison Lion's Club fundraiser on Monday.  This in addition to putting out more signs and searching out Veterans to shake their hand and thank them for their service to our country.  I needed to go back to work today to take a break from all the running around.  All in all it was a really great time!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
VOTE for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

Lots of Fundraising this weekend

We've been all over the county visiting the various fundraiser's about the area.  And we're not done yet.  HOWEVER, this is an important weekend for another reason - it is to take time to thank those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces for protecting our everyday freedoms.  I have had the chance, and seek out the opportunity, to shake the hands of and thank numerous veterans.  Please do the same every chance you get.

Powell for Treasurer 2012
VOTE for Continued Progress - VOTE Powell

I got yelled at today.

An elderly gentleman wandered into the courthouse in search of help with a piece of mail he had received.  I said, "Can I help you?" and he handed me this piece of unopened mail.  He said, "The last time I got mail that looked like this they wanted me for the service and I went into the Air Force and served there for 32 years."  I shook his hand and thanked him for his service to our country.  He proceeded to tell me very loudly (he was hard of hearing even with the hearing aids he was wearing) that he wasn't sure what to do with this piece of mail.  I could tell he was concerned about it.  As he was telling me about his service in the Air Force and how many metals he had earned and how many bars he had on his uniform I slipped the envelope open and peaked inside to see that it was a piece of junk mail from Beltone hearing aids.  I kid you not.  When I told him what the mail was all about he became VERY IRRATE and started yelling at the top of his lungs that he had told those Beltone people he did not want their junk mail anymore because he already had hearing aids from the Air Force.  At that time he took the hearing aids out to show me the Air Force hearing aids so he began talking EVEN LOUDER without the aids.  After I got him calmed down I told him he can just pitch all junk mail and to try not to let it bother him.  I suggested he make a paper airplane out of their junk mail.  As his loud talking went on for more than 5 minutes, my co-workers had begun coming by my office to make sure that I was okay and not in any danger which I really appreciated!   They could see that I was handling the situation well and did not have a panicked look on my face so they left me to calm this poor, very upset, gentleman down on my own.  When he left my office he felt better and thanked me for my help.  He was really very sweet, just VERY LOUD.  I never know what or who will come through my door, but I always try to make the situation better for whoever it is. 
Powell for Treasurer 2012
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More signs

I spent Saturday putting signs out with the help of my husband and friends.

There is no way I could have gotten this big one up at Hwy 107 and 24 without Rick, Jerry and Diane.  Thanks everyone!  I was wearing my red, white and blue in honor of Armed Forces Day and I made sure to thank everyone I saw that was a current or former member of our military.   :-)
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For the kids

After church this morning we went to a fund raising dessert auction at the Methodist Church in Paris.  This was held to raise money for the kids to go to church camp this summer.  The bids were high and everyone had a good time.  We came home with 4 desserts!  What can I say, it was for the kids and I take this part of my job very seriously.  ;-)     We had spent most of Saturday putting out signs so after we got home today I spent the rest of my time in the garden planting and tending this year's future harvest.  I love watching things grow!
Powell for Treasurer 2012
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Armed Forces Day

On this special day I would again like to say THANK YOU to everyone who serves or has served this country.  It is because of you that I have the freedoms I do today.  This pic is from a Welcome Home Party for Vietnam Veterans that was held this spring at Mark Twain Lake.  It was on a day that I also did a 2 mile walk in Monroe City to raise money for the senior nutrition center, hence the t-shirt I am wearing (normally I would have been in red, white and blue).  I am with Rick and Holly, a friend of ours who is in the Patriot Guard.  She and her husband, Vern, are very proud to be members of that effort.  It was good to see them as well as take a moment to thank the veterans for their service to our wonderful country.  Rep. Shiveley and Judge Bringer also came to salute the Vietnam Veterans.  It was a wonderful, and long overdue, welcome home party. 
Powell for Treasurer 2012
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Scholarship Night

Tonight I went to the awards ceremony for the graduating seniors at Paris High School.  These are a really great bunch of young adults that will be going out into the world to discover who they really are and they have a good foundation to build on with the education they have received.  There was a nice attendance at the event to see them receive their scholarships.  There were over 50 scholarships awarded.  I was really impressed by the amount of scholarships which help with tuition, books, etc.  A college education isn't cheap and these scholarships will really help the students achieve their goals.  Rick and I are big supporters of higher education.  It is so important to help you succeed in life. 
Powell for Treasurer 2012
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Monroe County Nursing Home Week

Every year Monroe Manor celebrates its residents during Nursing Home Week.  I have always felt that our senior citizens are our greatest natural resource.  So far this week I have attended the balloon release on Monday (see pics) and the Ice Cream Social on Tuesday.  Both events were very well done by the Manor. Today I also checked out the room redos that the Manor is undertaking.  I have wanted to see how the rooms have turned out as they are talked about in the monthly Board meetings that I attend as Secretary to the Board.  The redone rooms look great and feel much more homelike that the older rooms that still  have concrete walls.  I also got to see the progress of the carpet installation in the hallways which is also currently underway.  Both are big improvements for the Manor and I can't wait to see everything completed. 

Powell for Treasurer 2012

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Wedding pics

No, I am not going to post all of the wedding pics.  I am just now downloading the pics and videos I took.  However, I did want to include just one more of Rick and I.  I thought it turned out really nice so I wanted to share it with everyone.  And while it was really great to be able to spend the extra time with my parents this weekend, my back and hips are still sore from sleeping on my mom and dad's pull out couch for two nights.  I must get into shape for campaigning as it requires a lot of physical activity, in and out of the vehicle 50 times in an evening.  It might not sound like a lot but you try it and let me know what you think.  LOL 
Powell for Treasurer 2012   
VOTE for continued Progress - VOTE Powell

No campaigning this weekend

I had something MUCH more important to do as my grandson and his beautiful bride got married this weekend!  They held their ceremony at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  It was a gorgeous day at the gardens and the wedding went off without a hitch.   My granddaughter is in the yellow dress.  She was the the prettiest flower girl ever!  It is always wonderful to have the whole family together.
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Retna surgery...

...is absolutely NO fun.   I know of what I speak because I just had my second surgery today.  IT HURTS!  My first surgery in January was really scary but I have a good retna surgeon and I knew what to expect this time.   The surgery in January was more involved due to a tear in the retna in my left eye.  I didn't know that was the problem at first, I just knew that I couldn't see out of my left eye.  And this when I was getting ready to balance the month at work using the new software program I had just set up.  The timing could not have been worse.  I did close the month, it just took a little longer and was more difficult than it had to be since I couldn't see out of one eye. 
I am very glad today is over.  The doc said the surgery went well, now I just have to heal.  All prayers are appreciated!
Powell for Treasurer 2012         Promises Kept

FFA Banquet

Rick and I attended the FFA Banquet in Paris this evening.  It was a delicious meal followed by a program to let the attendees know what the kids had been up to over the last year and their adventures going to District and to State.  The students and their parents should all be very proud of their accomplishments.  It was  especially emotional for the Seniors as they will soon be leaving high school behind to start their own new adventures.  Rick and I enjoyed the evening very much and wish all the FFA members much success. 

Powell for Treasurer 2012     Promises Kept 

Lots of signs are out.

Just as I said I was going to do, lots of signs are gracing landscapes throughout the county.  Rick and I also went to lunch at the Senior Center in Monroe City as there are supporters there that had requested my signs and I was so happy to oblige.   I also ordered my campaign handouts.  They look really good and I am excited to start showing them off.  And at the end of the day I had a chance to plant some flowers around our place which always makes me happy.  It was a good day but there is still so much work to be done.
Powell for Treasurer  2012    Promises Kept

"Sign, sign, everywhere a sign"

Well, as much as I hate the fact that my supporters have to mow around my signs, my opponent has begun putting out her signs so I have had to start also.  I put 4 signs out on my way to play cards tonight and by the end of the day tomorrow there will be at least 30 out all over the county.  On a good note, Rick has offered to trim around the signs so that mowing around them should not be as much of an inconvenience.  I like that idea!
Powell for Treasurer  2012      Promises Kept           (How does that sound for a slogan?)

Baccalaureate

Sunday for us started at mass followed by a dinner for the graduating seniors from our church.   It was a very nice way to start the day.  At 2:00 we were in Monroe City for their Baccalaureate.  It was a celebration of all denominations at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  The preachers and ministers tried to instill upon the graduating seniors that when one door closes (i.e., high school) another one opens and God is with them on their journey.  We dodged hail and heavy rain on the way home.  At 7:00 we were at the Paris High School gym for their Baccalaureate celebration.  The preachers and ministers let the kids know how blessed they are and that they don't have to do it alone because God is always with them.  All in all it was a good day celebrating our graduating seniors and a real walk down memory lane for me as it has been 30+ years since my Baccalaureate.
Powell for Treasurer 2012

All town garage sale

Today was crazy in Paris.  We didn't stop at any of the sales, we went to support the Legion Post and Monroe County Cattleman's Association.  We ate twice, once at each place, and I also bought some baked goods at the Legion Post.  One of the sellers asked why I wasn't buying two sandwiches and I told him it was because we just ate at the other place but we wanted to support ALL the fund raisers so we stopped for another sandwich.  He appreciated the fact that we were supporting everyone including this cause.  Rick and I believe strongly in giving back to the commuity and helping all the groups asking for donations.  As a matter of fact, even though we are unable to attend the Paris Chamber fund raiser next weekend, I am donating a case of water for them to sell during the event.  We do whatever we can to help. 
Powell for Treasurer 2012

A slogan

My sister asked me what my slogan was going to be for this campaign.   I hadn't really given much thought about having a slogan.  We batted around some ideas.  I said, "Progress as promised", but that's already taken by MODOT (LOL).  Not sure what, if anything, I'll go with - guess I need to give that some thought.
I did close out the month this morning.  Balanced to the penny like I have every month since I started.   No software problems!  I knew today was going to be better.
Powell for Treasurer  2012 

This software has many challenges

Because of my 30 + years of computer experience, I can pretty much learn any new accounting software program.  So to show that I am a team player, I went with the Treasurer's module of the software program that the County Clerk's office already had in place.  It was not my first or even second choice and a little expensive for my taste but all the modules would work together.  Unfortunately, it does not come with a manual and there was no practicing with it before I went live.  This has meant a lot of trial and error as I learn to navigate the program.  But, I have learned a lot and it is getting better.   However, today the system made some really strange errors that the lady who wrote the software could not tell us why or give us any explanation for what happened.  It slowed us all down and this on a day that I am closing out the month of April -  the timing could not have been worse.  I did manage to get balanced by the end of the day but it was much more difficult than it had to be as this software has a LOT of shortcomings.    Thank goodness this day is over.  I worked in the yard when I got home to relieve the stress of the day.  Tomorrow will be better.  :-)
Powell for Treasurer  2012