Bernie Scheffler, frontrunner in the race for Fort Worth City Council District 9, pledged today he will not use “telemarketing” to win the District 9 City Council election. Mr. Scheffler has concluded after many conversations with the voters in his community at neighborhood association meetings and important public events such as the Trinity Trees Picnic, that soliciting votes using telemarketers runs contrary to the spirit of his campaign.
“Phone canvassing is not a good fit with my platform, my campaign philosophy or my personal preferences,” says Bernie. “This is a small community, and my current and future supporters deserve the opportunity to talk to us in person in our neighborhoods or at community events.”
Mr. Scheffler believes that asking for votes over the phone does not complement his platform. “Most phone canvassing is conducted by outsourced telemarketing groups who work for political consultants,” says Bernie. “One of the key components of my platform is to catalyze the growth of local business by encouraging folks to buy local. People may think they’re getting a call from a volunteer, when in reality they may be getting a call from a hired telemarketer that doesn’t even live in our state, much less our city.”
He also believes that phone canvassing violates his campaign philosophy. “To overcome the critical threats to our quality of life such as Urban Gas Drilling we have to meet with people and discuss the issues in depth,” says Bernie. “I’m running a true grassroots campaign and that means I’m going to take every opportunity to talk with people face-to-face. I’m going out into the neighborhoods and pounding the pavement, and attending neighborhood association meetings and other important events, because I believe that’s the credible way to run a campaign for a local office.”
Finally, Mr. Scheffler does not personally like telemarketing. “I think unsolicited phone calls are far worse than email SPAM. Don’t those calls always seem to come during dinner or the other special times you’ve set aside to be with your family?” says Bernie. “I’ve heard from a lot of the people in my community who have received phone calls from my opponents, and they have all been annoyed. We’re a small community and it doesn’t make sense to call people when there is plenty of time to meet with folks face-to-face. The members of our community deserve a dedicated public servant who will take the time to walk the neighborhoods and meet people personally.”
“If I want to have an important conversation with my neighbor, I don’t pick up the phone – I knock on their door. I believe that phone calls are a very impersonal way to ask someone for their support and vote. That’s why I won’t be letting my fingers do the walking.”
About Bernie Scheffler
Bernie Scheffler is running for Fort Worth City Council District 9. The election will be held November 6, 2007. Mr. Scheffler is opposed to Urban Gas Drilling, advocates transportation reform and supports a true local economy. His detailed platform is available for download on his campaign web site at www.iheartfw.com. Mr. Scheffler is an entrepreneur who grew up in
