Thank you!
I have spent the last 8 weeks running for office. I mean literally running. Anyone who has been through this process understands what an apt analogy that is. It must be understood, I did not run alone. I am very thankful for my wife, Connie, and my children: Josh, Ben and Sarah Grace who faithfully supported me and encouraged me during this campaign. I am also, so thankful for my campaign manager, Josh Arnold. Josh is a Junior in Political Science at The University of Akron and he is working his way through school. Josh has been trustworthy and hardworking and dependable and I could not have run this race without his daily help. I also am grateful for my campaign Treasurer, Mike Trout. Mike has been a man of details and this race could not have been run without his faithful guidance.
I want to thank the voters of Green for giving me the opportunity to serve our community over the next 4 years. I am grateful for your support and I will work hard to merit the trust you have placed in me. Congratulations to Joel Reed and Gerard Neugebauer who were also elected this evening. I look forward to serving our City with you and the other members of Council.
Finally, I am thankful for each candidate who actively ran in this race. Each person ran because they deeply believe in our City. Each of you ran a hard race and each person in our City should be grateful for your efforts. I am already looking forward to the work ahead. Ironically, the long race that we have just run marks only the beginning. Green has a bright future and I look forward to being a part of it. God bless.
Read MoreDear Voter
Dear Voter:
It has been a joy to write this blog during the campaign. It has been a useful tool for me to collect my thoughts to communicate with all of you. Whatever the outcome of this race, I can assure you that this has been a valuable learning experience for me. It has been a joy to be in every single neighborhood in this City during the campaign. It has been a privilege to have been invited into your homes and businesses to discuss the issues that face our City. You have taught me so much about our City and I am thankful for your insight.
This election, of course, is not about one person. It is not about the 7 candidates who are on the ballot. Rather, this campaign is about the future of our City. This campaign is about you and your family. This campaign is about jobs, and neighborhoods, excellent schools, quality businesses and the future direction of our City.
After months of daily campaigning, I can honestly say that I have worked as hard as I can to earn your vote. I have done my best to stress my platform: 1. Sensible economic development that leads to jobs; 2. Fiscal Discipline; 3. Public safety; 4. Infrastructure Improvements and modernization; and 5. Education. I have run a positive campaign. As I have said over and over, I am not running AGAINST anyone, I am running to promote what I believe and I am running for YOU.
Now, as we look forward to voting on Tuesday, I am comfortable that you will decide those individuals whom you believe are best able to serve our City over the next 4 years. It is wonderful to live in a country where we are able to vote on such things. Yes, we are truly blessed as a country and as a community.
My best wishes to each person who is running in this race. It has been a pleasure to run this race with you. I am thankful for each person who ran hard for the common good of our community. God bless you all!
Very Sincerely,
Chris Humphrey
Read MoreHow to Choose A Candidate
The choice of who will serve on Green City Council for the next 4 years is an important one. The positive progress that we have seen in our City over the past 4 years is not guaranteed to continue. Success is not automatic, it is not a given. If Green is to continue to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family, then the choice of who will serve you on City Council is important.
The field of candidates is crowded. Seven people are running for 3 open positions. I would encourage you to carefully consider the background, qualifications, tone and demeanor of all the candidates and ask yourself: Is this the kind of person who is likely to be a successful councilperson? Is this candidate one who is likely to work well with others? Is the candidate able to deal with complex issues in a responsible, non-political way? Is the candidate able to wisely address the issues that face our City in the present while planning for the challenges that are just around the corner?
When you are able to answer these questions, you are ready, I believe, to cast your vote. The best days in the City of Green are ahead of us. We have a tremendous heritage in this City and a bright future. I am excited about our City and all of the possibilities that the future presents. But I am running because I understand that the future cannot and should not be taken for granted. I have helped to run a business, meet payroll, deal with unexpected obstacles and plan for the future. I have learned to work with other people in a way that shows respect and a willingness to listen and to learn. If given the privilege to serve on City Council, I will use all of my energy to meet the challenges of today while planning for the challenges of tomorrow.
If you believe that I could represent you effectively on Council, then I would ask for your vote on November 8th. Thank you for your consideration.
Read MoreTrick-or-Treat Trail
After a full morning of campaigning door-to-door, the Chris Humphrey for Green City Council team gave back to the community at the annual Trick-or-Treat Trail at Boettler Park. The City staff, under the direction of our wonderful Mayor Norton, did a spectacular job at organizing and executing this event.
In order to prepare for this event, the Chris Humphrey campaign placed stickers on 2,000 packs of peanut butter crackers. We were able to hand out the packs of crackers to the kids. We also provided parents with our campaign literature. It was a sunny, beautiful fall day and I am glad that our campaign was able to participate in this event.
This annual event is just another example of why Green is such a great place to live. We have so many things to be thankful for in this community. I am so grateful for the number of people I had the opportunity to meet this afternoon.
Read MoreA Common Question
Many people have asked me the following question throughout this campaign: ”Chris, who are you running against?” It is an understandable question because so much of our political discourse in the United States has been cast in the language of a battle. But I am not running for Green City Council to do battle with anyone. I am not running because I am angry. I am not running in such a way to make others look bad. In fact, as I see it, I am not running AGAINST anyone. Instead, I am running FOR Chris Humphrey.
Believe me, I do not have all the answers. What I do have is an ability to understand and solve complex problems. I have an ability to work with people from all walks of life. I have an ability to work with people who do not agree with me. I have an ability to find solutions to problems. I have an ability to listen and to learn. I have an ability to work with difficult people in stressful situations.
I believe that a candidate’s background, education, training, and life experience matters. When choosing your next member of Council ask yourself the following question: Is this person running AGAINST someone or are they running FOR something?
I am running so that the City I love can be the best City in this State. I am running to work WITH Mayor Norton and members of Council in a constructive and professional way for the common good of every citizen. So remember, I am not running AGAINST anyone; rather, I am running FOR you. If you believe that someone with my background and life experience can represent you effectively on Council, then I would respectfully ask for your vote on November 8th!
Read MoreWorking Together
What an enjoyable night. I was able to campaign this evening with my sons, Josh and Ben, and my campaign manager, Josh Arnold. I have to admit, I am proud of my boys. We walk up the street side-by-side and then we each go to a different house. They hand out campaign literature to a complete stranger and they tell that stranger that their dad is running for City Council.They are doing a fantastic job and I am so thankful we can do this together.
I am also so thankful for my campaign manager, Josh Arnold. Josh is a Junior at the University of Akron and he is majoring in Political Science. Josh was my first volunteer on this campaign. We have been working side-by-side since June. Josh is energetic, personable and he always has something positive to say. I am thankful for Josh’s energy and focus and commitment.
We are working hard on this campaign because we believe that it is not enough to talk about how government should work, we believe that people need to make a commitment to do something to make government better. We are working hard on this campaign because we believe that government should be run more efficiently. We are working hard on this campaign because we love this City and we want to make it the best that it can be. We are working hard for YOU!
If we are willing to work this hard to get elected, just think how hard we will be willing to work if I have the privilege to serve you on Green City Council. Next time a young person with a red Chris Humphrey shirt shows up at your front door, don’t forget to ask, “Are you Josh, Josh, or Ben?”
Read MoreA Cold and Windy Weekend
The Chris Humphrey campaign began the weekend at the Green High School football game. It was cold, very cold! The Humphrey family and some dear friends braved the elements and had a wonderful time waving signs, handing out literature and shaking hands (especially the warm hands!). On Saturday morning Benjamin and I donned our gloves and winter hats as we went door-to-door in the City. Fortunately, the temperature rose during the day and so by the end of the day we only needed to wear our gloves.
On Sunday afternoon after teaching and attending worship service at Maranatha, Benjamin and I went out to repair our wind blown signs. Benny and I had a wonderful time together as father and son taking care of this important task. The campaign has been a great time for our family to work on a big project as a team. No matter the result of this election, I will have so many happy memories of working together with Connie, Josh, Ben, and Sarah Grace.
We are pressing forward to November 8th and we look forward to being in your neighborhood soon! God bless.
