Haddonfield: 6 Observations

Greetings, loyal NuckolBall readers!…I am running for the Board of Education in my hometown (Haddonfield, NJ). I’m running because I love the education that Haddonfield provides. My kids have both benefited greatly from it and I want to give back to my community.

My plan is to blog the thing. Which I’m excited about.

As of now, I’ve been at this for about 3 weeks — and here are my observations so far.

1) It’s remarkably complex

There are all kinds of crazy forms and registrations required when you run for office. Holy crap is it intimidating. You have to submit a D1, then nominate a treasurer (thanks, Cathy!), then get an EIN, then open a bank account, then resubmit your D1. Then it all has to work with PayPal and connect that to the bank account…it’s madness.

2) I need better clothes

Shani found a video of my opponent speaking to the board of education about a particular book. I interpreted his message as providing the reasons he felt this book should be banned (which I’m completely against). You can see him at around 1:30. Shani’s immediate reaction:

“He’s well dressed! We need to go shopping!”

So our next date night was the Cherry Hill Mall where I got myself some snappy new threads. Shani has officially forbidden me from wearing cargo shorts to public events.

3) I’m not good at asking for help

I’ve had some shockingly awkward conversations. I’m talking to friends I’ve known for 15 years and the calls are a mess.

“Um…hi, it’s Mike.”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I…uh, well…I’m running for the board…and was hoping you’d maybe, you know, have an event for me.”

“A what? I don’t get it. Why are you mumbling? What are you talking about?”

“I…well, see…”

4) People are jumping in anyway

It’s been humbling. Literally every day people are reaching out to me and lending their support. Sometimes it’s people I don’t even know. They hear about my campaign from a friend and want to help out. It’s pretty incredible to experience.

5) It’s surprisingly fun (most of the time)

I love all the moving parts. It’s almost like playing one of those old computer games where you have to solve a puzzle to get the key to unlock the door to find the secret riddle. But MAN when you get the website up or the flyers arrive or someone agrees to hold an event…that part is super energizing.

6) My Mom’s legacy is still mighty

My Mom was the President of the Board of Education in the town I grew up in. (Here’s something I wrote about her; it’s still the most read post in NuckolBall history.) In all my campaign materials I talk about her being my inspiration — and boy has that had an impact. I’ve had dozens who remember her make donations in her honor. She died over 25 years ago and her legacy still lasts.

Pretty remarkable. And pretty motivating for me in this election.

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So that’s the campaign so far. I’ll keep posting. And if you want to, sign up to follow this blog. If you want to help out on the campaign, reach out to me at ElectMikeNuckols@gmail.com or message me on my FB Page.

And if you’re new to NuckolBall, feel free to read other posts. You’ll get to know me better and read a few fun stories along the way.

OK…some helpful links/info and some photos so far from the campaign.

• Deadline to register for mail-in ballot in Nov 1 (request yours).
• Important for students away from home
  • Important for voters away for Fall Break
• General election is November 8th