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Dear Readers of Blog for Iowa:



Now that
we’re only weeks away from November’s general election, all campaigns
are kicking into high gear.  I’m spending most of my days knocking
on doors in Iowa House District 98, a district encompassing the eastern portion of Pottawattamie County and the western portion of Mills County, Iowa.



I’ve
spent considerable time walking in Oakland, in Carson, and in the part
of Council Bluffs included in District 98.  I’m currently spending
eight or nine hours a day in that activity, and my goal is to walk as
much of the district as possible before November.  Depending
mostly upon the heat index, this activity can be great fun or pretty
miserable, but the personal contact is always encouraging, regardless
of the vagaries of the weather.



Early
on, I was told that “voters don’t care about issues.”  I found the
statement questionable then, and I now know that it’s dead wrong. 
Voters most definitely do care; however, because many elected officials
ignore the legitimate concerns of their own constituents, a majority of
voters have concluded that “caring” is an exercise in futility. 
I’ve said from the beginning of this campaign that my first priority
during the run up to (and continuing past) the election is to hear from
the residents of this district, and, when possible, from experts
elsewhere throughout the state, about issues that truly matter in
Iowa.  I was originally asked to run for this office because I
have closely studied many issues that concern us all: healthcare
availability, outsourcing of jobs and workers’ rights, tax structure,
education, and energy resources.  No amount of independent study
of the issues, and no amount of background material provided by
legislative researchers can come close to the kind and quality of
information learned from individuals’ actual experiences.  I want
very much to hear from every person who has concerns or interests to
share with me. I consider such people my most important resource, and I
am very grateful for their willingness to inform me about what matters
in their own lives.



I’m
working hard to meet with as many people in District 98 as possible,
and I look forward to meeting with you.  If I haven’t knocked on
your door, feel free to telephone 712-525-9137 to request a meeting in
person or to chat on the phone.  Or, send me an email at info@sallyvitamvas.com. I look forward to hearing from you.  Also, please check out my website at www.sallyvitamvas.com
to learn more about my professional experience, my family, my reasons
for running, and to check out my list of goals as a representative.



One last thought:
I enthusiastically welcome any assistance in doorknocking that you
might be willing to provide.  If you have time to volunteer for
that activity, call me with when you could be available.  I will
arrange my schedule to join you in your town during those times, and we
will walk through your community together, meeting your
neighbors.  I have found all District 98 residents friendly,
welcoming, and willing to spend a few moments with me.  This is
fun stuff!  Join me, if you can, for a few enjoyable hours.



Sincerely,



Sally Vitamvas

Democratic Candidate, Iowa House District 98