It has been a few days since I have been able to do a posting because I have been so busy working to reach Louisville voters. I have met many new people from so many different groups, but I am realizing more and more that we all have one common goal; to make the community in which we live better.
On Tuesday night (3/4/08) I attended the College Republicans Meeting at U of L. There were several students there and they were diligently addressing and stamping envelopes for an upcoming event as I talked to them about my candidacy for District Court Judge. It was nice to see a group of young people giving time to support their candidates when they could have been studying or socializing instead. I was very impressed with them and hope they felt the same about me. I will be honored to have their votes.
On Wednesday night (3/5/08) I attended my Junior League of Louisville Provisional Meeting. This is one of my regular activities outside of the campaign. The Junior League of Louisville is a non-profit service organization for women. I would recommend membership to any woman who wants to make a difference through community involvement and charity. This month's meeting was held at Gilda's Club, a place of peace, support and retreat for men, women, and children suffering from cancer and their families. I was touched by the video we were shown and I had to take a moment to appreciate that for all the trials and triumphs I have had in my attempt at becoming Judge, I am lucky to be healthy and able to fight this fight. The strength of the cancer patients there and the dedication of the people committed to Gilda's Club was heart warming and really made me put things in perspective. You can learn more about Gilda's Club of Louisville at http://www.gildasclublouisville.org/.
Today was the busiest day of all. I started the morning at the Greater Louisville Building and Construction Trades Council meeting. There were several candidates for different local, state, and judicial races at the meeting. The members of the council were very attentive and I appreciate their willingness to take time to listen to me as I explained my background, experience and beliefs. It was obvious to me that although it had nothing to do with their business at hand, they too believe this community deserves to have the best, most qualified judge in the 16th District. I was honored to meet with them all and hope to have their votes.
After we were excused so the council could begin its business meeting, I drove straight to the Capital in Frankfort. In just a short trip to the capital cafeteria with my mother (who seems to know everyone and is one of my biggest supporters and volunteers), I was able to make new contacts and ask for support from several lobbyists with organizations ranging from the National Humane Society to organizations for labor, children's advocacy and many more. It was the best trip to the lunch line ever! Thank you mom!
After lunch, I headed to the floor of the House of Representatives for an afternoon of watching the State's lawmakers at work. I recommend everyone go to the Capital and see how our laws are made. It kind of reminds me of a smaller, more southern Stock Exchange. There are people talking in the corners and running around as papers fly in every direction while the Speaker and the Floor Majority Leader call the bills and announce the votes. I just stood up against the wall and took it all in. I appreciate all those who can remember me when I was "just a little kid" and still go out of their way to shake my hand and wish me well. I appreciate them for taking the time to do that, when they so obviously don't have to.
At about 4 pm, the House adjourned into caucus meetings and I was off again to the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort for an awards banquet to honor kids who have excelled in the Boys and Girls Club of Kentucky. My dad, who works to support the Association of Independent Colleges in Kentucky (like Bellarmine, Spaulding, etc) was there and local attorney, Oliver Barber, was a wonderful host to me. He introduced me to many new people who will be great contacts in my work to help children live a better life and achieve a brighter future. I spoke to several people at the banquet who agreed with me about the sad way we treat our children in this community. I could have talked about it forever, because it gets me so fired up and ready to go out and change the world. For more information on the nearest club or to become involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Louisville, visit www.uss.salvationarmy.org, enter your zip code and then click on the page for "programs and services."
Empowered by the knowledge that others care about the future of children just as I do, I was again in the car and on my way back to Louisville to attend the Metro Republican Women's Club meeting. This event was also well attended and I listened as their speaker talked about the club's political goals and how they could be met. I was allowed to address the group and ask for the members' votes. They too expressed agreement with my feelings that we have got to make a change in this community to make our District Court system serve us better and that we all have the common right and privilege to raise our children in a city where they are safe to play outside in the yard; where women with black eyes and bruises no longer run to the courthouse in the middle of the night to seek safety from an abuser who is supposed to love them. They too want a community where our daughters, mothers and sisters can walk down the street without becoming the next victim of a sex crime.
Just like me, they agreed that something has to be done to address the constant revolving door of the jail in this community. I argued to them that jail overcrowding cannot be addressed effectively by just deciding not to prosecute as diligently anymore or to just release criminals into the streets of Louisville.
Regardless of whether I win this election, I have confirmed what I believed all along; common sense, especially regarding crime, punishment, and community safety, knows no party affiliation, PAC, socioeconomic, geographic, or racial boundary.
I appreciate everyone who listened to me today and offered words of support, encouragement, and good wishes for my campaign. Each time I get such a promising response from voters, I become more committed to winning this election and being your next District Court Judge. Thank you to all of you who helped me today and everyday. I appreciate it more than you will probably ever know and your words and deeds give me the incentive to win this judgeship and begin to finally realize my dream of making a difference in people's lives from the bench.
Take care of yourselves and your families and I will see you on the campaign trail, wherever it may lead!
Allyson Cox
"When the Opportunity Knocks, Vote Allyson Cox"
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