Check this headline from The Star today:
Politician seeks city's fiscal health
and compare it to the quote from the same article:
"I don't consider myself a politician. I am serving my community," ( Council Member Foster)
Michelle Foster is a politician, but I don't see that as a bad thing. Serving our community as a politician is an honorable way to give back.
Politicians are for the most part hard working, caring, patriots. And that goes for both parties. So, Michelle Foster, why not embrace the title? Politicians do good work for our community, and this article list some nice things you have done. Be loud! Be Proud! Be a politician with pride!
Politician seeks city's fiscal health
Simi Councilwoman Michelle Foster evaluates her first year
By Teresa Rochester, trochester@VenturaCountyStar.com
January 6, 2006
Sitting on the corner of Councilwoman Michelle Foster's desk in Simi Valley City Hall is a SpongeBob SquarePants pencil holder.
It was a gift from her 14-year-old son, Michael, on the night she was appointed to the City Council in December 2004 out of a field of six candidates. "It represents to me who I am. This is a really big obligation to the community," Foster said.
The pencil holder also serves as a reminder of a family credo to embrace every experience.
It was that credo and her family's support that led Foster, a past Rotary president, to apply for the council seat left vacant when Paul Miller was elected mayor in November 2004.
"I believe serving this community is not only a privilege but an obligation," Foster said Dec. 13, the night of her appointment.
Thirteen months after her unanimous appointment and 11 months before she seeks election to the seat for a full four-year term, Foster reflected on taking the plunge, her accomplishments and her goals.
"I don't consider myself a politician. I am serving my community," said Foster, 43, who moved to Simi Valley in 1964. "I think government is here to serve the community. We need to make government as accessible as possible."
She needed to learn the council ropes while running a printing business she owns with her husband, Craig, 43, but Foster was still able to bring forward a number of ideas that have been adopted by the city or are under consideration.
In June, the city installed signs, at Foster's suggestion, allowing parking at the terminus of Mount Sinai Drive, so hikers could access a trail head.
Simi Valley Transit riders can now buy bus passes at the Simi Valley Town Center after she suggested the additional location, because one of her employees pointed out that going to City Hall to buy the passes was difficult for people who work all day.
Foster has also lobbied for the city's Web site to be upgraded so users can pay bills or apply for certain permits online. She has also encouraged city officials to revisit the Vision 20/20 planning document to see if Simi Valley is on track.
"We're in a community that is working and working really well," Foster said, "so we can improve on what we're doing."
Through the rest of her time on the council, Foster said, she wants to work to ensure the city's fiscal health.
Foster's council colleagues praised her for taking up initiatives.
"She is a quick study," Mayor Paul Miller said. "She put a lot of effort into learning the essence of her job. ... She has some very insightful ideas on how to improve the community."
Councilman Steve Sojka agreed.
"She's got a lot of common sense," Sojka said. "The business side of her comes through, and it's been a joy to work with her."
Brian,
I would say that in one way Michelle is right. She did not run for the office, she was appointed after she offered to serve. If she runs and wins, then she is really a politician. I think Michelle is doing a great job.
Brian,
She may have said she is running but the County has not yet opened the official process.
When that happens will you agree she is a politician?
For the record I think Michelle Foster is well qualified.
And there is a good chance that I will vote for her in the future.
I just don't like the equation: Politician=Bad
Brian,
Yes, then she will be a politician. And no, being a politician is a good thing, not a bad thing. I think the word politician has been so mis-used that some people reject the image of the word, not the essence of it.