July 2006
My Commitment to the Drivers of Illinois
My mom and dad owned a pizza restaurant for
17 years and I started waiting tables there in third grade. I grew up
knowing that good service was essential; that is how my family made a
living. As an adult I joined the ServiceMaster Company, one of the largest
service companies in the world, and I recently celebrated 20 years with
them.
I believe, think, act and lead my life with
the attitude that good service is what we are to deliver and should expect
to receive. In my opinion, that goes for government also.
The largest ‘retail’ operation in Illinois
government is the office of Secretary of State. They touch more ‘customers’,
on an annual basis, than any other agency. It is a service business and I do
not believe it is performing well.
I am running for Secretary of State because
I believe, in my heart, I can do a better job managing the operation. I am
running to make a difference, to show that government services can be
responsive and that the citizens of Illinois should be treated as valued
customers.
My Service Commitment!
Parade Photos
As
you know, I really like parades and the 4th weekend gave me
plenty of opportunities. I was personally in 6 parades with many other
events and activities in between. Friends and supporters represented me in
scores of parades around the state that I could not personally attend, and
for that I am grateful. I walked all the parades and lost six pounds!
Click here to
see more Parade Pictures!
The Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville started July with
221,000 miles. As I have said before, she loves ethanol and gets a regular
3,000 mile service. On a recent trip, 91 degrees outside, we got 20 miles from
home and the air conditioner went out. We found a place for serviced. They
charged it back up and all is fine.
I do take the car to many events. It gives
me time to read, respond to my emails and make phone calls, plus the
opportunity to stop in smaller towns for a visit. I am fortunate to have a
number of friends who volunteer to drive. They enjoy it and we have
nicknamed them the “Road Warriors”.
I like parades
In 1972 Governor Richard Ogilvie was the
Governor and was running for re-election; his opponent was Dan Walker. They
both appeared in my home town of Pontiac at the Threshermen’s Reunion
Parade. Governor Ogilvie rode in a convertible and Walker walked the parade
route. I was 17 years old and that experience had an impact on me in
politics for years to come.
I love parades. I really enjoy being in
them and I walk in every one of them. I feel walking the parade gives the
message that one is connected and gives me the opportunity to shake hands
with people, kiss a few babies and get a little exercise. (The one exception
to the ‘walking parades’ was for a Memorial Day when I was to be the speaker
at the cemetery. The sponsors had a convertible for me to ride in and I did
so with the feeling that this was not a political event, but one of respect
and reverence for the occasion.)
Send Me
your Bumper Sticker Pictures
"Bumper stickers
are popping up all over. I was even told by someone in Springfield that they
are seeing them all over the place! Send me the photo of your sticker
displayed and I will post it (we want the license plate number blocked so
the present SOS cannot track you down)."
To have a bumper sticker
mailed to you, just e mail
Barb@DanRutherford.org and tell her how
many you would like…….they are really great for building ID!
Parade Handouts
Growing up I remember being at my grandma and grandpa’s home and in the
drawer of the little green desk (which I now have in my personal office in
Pontiac), there was an emery board (fingernail file) from an elected
official. It was in there for years and grandma would use it now and then.
When I grew up and ran for office myself, I remembered that emery board. In
my campaigns for State Representative and Senate, and now Secretary of
State, we do not hand out candy at parades. We hand out emery boards with my
name on them. Both men and women want them, use them and keep them (just ask
my grandma). My thinking is unless your name is ‘Tootsie’, why hand out
candy!
Trivia: We order emery boards a ‘quarter of a million’ per order. Side note:
I had a lady tell me she was in the waiting room of a physician in Chicago
and the lady next to her started touching up her nails with one of our emery
boards; they did not know each other, but did strike up a conversation.
