The election may be behind us and maybe you don’t want to hear anymore about it, but there is a little election story that I would like to share with you.

I, as a mayoral candidate, threw my hat in just before the deadline with mixed emotions and slight apprehension about what was to follow. I felt I could make a real difference in moving our community forward.

As the campaign progressed, and I got to speak at forums and meet voters, I found it to be an interesting and fun process. One example was visiting with three seniors in the Twin Towers’ craft room. I introduced myself as a mayoral candidate with flyers in hand. One lady took an upward glance at me and said, “Can I tell you something?” I said “sure” and she said, “You should get a haircut.” We had a good laugh, and she was probably right. One of her friends also sized me up and asked me to guess her age. I went on to tell her that I wanted her vote so I didn’t want to guess wrong. She quickly said, “I’m 21.” At that point I had made three new friends.

The next thing I knew it was Election Day. Phone calls and words of support came pouring in along with a few ‘Thumbs up” by passing motorists.

That night at home with my family waiting for the results, the news came in that I had lost by 37 votes.

It was nearly after midnight and after sitting back and taking stock of the last few months, Luke, my ninth grade son, came out of his bedroom and said, “Dad, I’m proud of you.”

I had just won by a million votes.

This whole process has been the happiest and most rewarding time in my entire life.

So thank you Austin for making my life more full.

I hope I made a difference by throwing my hat in the ring.

So please, when you see an opportunity in life, throw your hat in the ring.

Mark Nagle