Editor:

    The signs are (almost!) all gone, the suppertime survey and endorsement phone calls have ceased, your doorbell has stopped ringing and leaflets no longer litter your doorstep. The election is over, and it’s time to get to work (and leave the leafleting to the snow plow candidates!).

    To all the candidates who worked hard to offer themselves to the public as a choice for elected representative, I offer my thanks.  Whether “your” candidate won or lost, ultimately it is the population as a whole that benefits from this uniquely American democratic process that at times is noisy, messy, drawn out - and beautiful!

   For me, the best part of campaigning is going door-to-door. The honor and privilege of standing on the lovely, homey front porches of Cape Elizabeth and South Portland is incomparable.  The thoughtful suggestions and sincere concerns that make up the conversations are the core of what campaigning should be.  Two campaigns ago I wrote a letter to the editor about the experience, and I offer here an excerpt from that letter:

   “Based on my visits to hundreds of doors over the summer and fall, here are some unofficial statistics, with most likely a pretty high margin of error, but compelling nonetheless!

 ·   95 percent of you have a dog, 99 percent of which make a lot of noise when someone rings your doorbell. The smaller the dog, the greater the noise.

·   Your children have been very well trained to cover for Dad if he’s napping: “I’m sorry, my daddy is busy right now.”

·   Don’t apologize for being in your pajamas and bathrobe at 6 p.m. - you are among plentiful and very good company.

·   Your yards are evidence of approaching autumn...driveways being sealed, firewood being delivered, and mums and pumpkins in your dooryards.

·   At least half you, when your doorbell rings, call out, “Come on in!” That’s always a stumper for this total stranger at your door!

·   There are wonderfully enticing aromas coming from many of your kitchens (not mine, unfortunately, these days!).

·   More than one of you have a sign on your door saying, “Forget the dog. Beware of the children”.

·   A very high percentage of you have questioned my sanity in wanting to run for the legislature.

    Talking with the residents of Cape Elizabeth and South Portland has confirmed my belief that our community is one of the finest in the state and that our citizens are extraordinarily committed to preserving our neighborhoods, homes, schools, businesses, environment, and way of life. Talking with you has deepened my conviction and strengthened my resolution to get to Augusta to do the best work that I can for our community.

    And as per the sign on your door, “I won’t let the cat out.”

    So to those of you who supported me during the last few months, I offer my warmest thank you.  If you displayed a yard sign (allowing me once again for the second campaign in a row to keep them off public property!), hosted a coffee party, let me use your name in an endorsement, put up signs, walked a neighborhood with me, shared words of encouragement when you saw me in the store - whichever way you offered your support, I thank you.  And to all the citizens of our wonderful community who participated in this historic and record-breaking election, whether you voted for me or not:  I will work my hardest, every day, to represent your concerns and defend the quality of our neighborhoods, schools, businesses, environment and people.  Please stay in touch, and I will too.

Representative Jane Eberle

House District 123

South Portland/Cape Elizabeth