Journal of Shawn Eckles' Campaign 2012 Report #7

People by the hundreds are already voting for me since early voting started last Thursday at the Iredell County Board of Elections in Statesville.  Some of them tell me they gave me their votes before they vote, and some of them when they come from voting, because, Iredell residents, I have been there from open to close all four days of Iredell voting so far.

I must report to you only great news about my success with the early voters and will share a few of their comments.  "I like your energy."  "I like the fact that you are young and in politics."  "You are the guy in the fracking protest video."  "You gave me your flyer at a gas station."  "If I had not met you, I probably would not have voted for you." 

Republican and Democrate poll workers have taken a shine to me, and really helped me get votes from both of their parties.  In person politics really works, and I don't mind putting in the hours.  I attended the Democrats' "debate party" last night.  And I marched Sunday with a voter registration drive.   Remember:  I am still a candidate registered as "unaffiliated."  I believe in "tripartisanship."

However, starting tomorrow I can't be in person everywhere Iredell is voting, so I will try to have some of my friends and colleagues speaking with folks at the multiple locations of early voting (Mooresville, Statesville, Troutman).

The previous weekend I spent three days helping my uncle put a new roof on his house.

Before voting began last week, I spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday campaigning in Mooresville and Statesville.  I walked through several apartment complexes, I met people outside Walmart and a few gas stations and a bar.

And, since I last spoke to you, I have done more work on that historical documentary film I am making for the people in Wilkesboro who want to maintain and make public their historic old Lincoln Heights School.

Journal of Shawn Eckles' Campaign 2012 Report #6

Since the Democratic National Convention I have been very busy. I've campaigned in Mooresville, Statesville and Troutman and, also, worked out of county and outside North Carolina.

I had the great good luck to solve a mystery that dates back to Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. For 47 years, nobody has known who the man was who is in the famous photograph holding Ms. Amelia Boynton Robinson, Matriarch of American Voting Rights. Using Facebook, I found him, Joe Jones of Selma, and Saturday afternoon September 22^nd Ms. Amelia and Joe were reunited at foot of the bridge where she was beaten unconscious and he helped her. We held a press conference in the museum by the bridge.

I have also been making several trips to neighboring Wilkes County, working on that documentary about the history of the Lincoln Heights School. In early September I interviewed quite a few surviving students at their annual reunion. I continue to find and incorporate the best photographs and memories of the School. I hope to have their documentary done before the end of the year.

Iredell residents can be proud that one of the most important principals at Lincoln Heights commuted from Statesville to the School.

The last two weeks I have made many appearances in residential and business areas of Mooresville, Statesville and Troutman. I have talked with voters about soil and water issues in Iredell County as well as our need for more connections between the public and officials.

I enjoyed a visit with the seniors' group on Bristol Road, Statesville. I was two nights ago mingling with fans and distributing my flyers at the West Iredell-Satesville football game.

And the organizing of the Iredell County Talent Show for Saturday, November 3, at Mooresville Senior High School is going well. As I work with various Iredell County artists and entertainers, I am making them aware of county soil and water issues with hopes it may influence their works.

Finally, of course I attended my third meeting of the Board of Supervisors that I am campaigning to join with your votes in November. I am glad to report that the officials, elected and otherwise, now all know my name and have shown some interest in my business ideas for improving the Soil and Water District's communications and funding.