Campaigning with a twist
Charlottetown Ward 4 candidate turns to pumpkins rather than traditional election signs
Valentine Gomez, 33, was looking for an innovative, more environmentally sensitive way to get the message out that he’s running for Charlottetown city council.
So, instead of putting up a traditional election sign, the Ward 4 candidate is resorting to a more seasonal option — pumpkins that will read “Gomez 4 Ward 4’’.
Municipal elections take place across the Island on Monday, Nov. 5.
Gomez said the idea also symbolizes his campaign motto that he can bring a fresh new perspective on things. He’s running against incumbent Coun. Mitchell Tweel, who has held the Ward 4 seat since 1994.
Gomez and his wife and a few friends were throwing around ideas one day and came up with the Halloween theme, although at first they thought about handing out treats on Oct. 31 branded with the fact that Gomez is running.
But, it would be hard hitting the roughly 1,000 homes he’d have to in one night. Then they came up with the pumpkin idea.
“We’re going the pumpkin route (because) people are going to be buying a pumpkin for their front door (anyway) or for pumpkin pie, so I’ll save them from purchasing one,’’ Gomez said.
That way he’s not putting signs in the ground and even the cleanup is environmentally sound.
“They can put it out on their front curb after Halloween when their compost (pickup) is and that will fall between that and election
day on Nov. 5.’’
He believes that walking past a pumpkin with his name on it by the front door will have more of an impact with people than being in sea of election signs.
Sign City is helping Gomez with stenciling in the message on the pumpkins while the gourds are being supplied by Charlottetown
farmer David Mol.
“I told him about this crazy idea I had and wondered if he could help me. We’re using his farm for storage. I just need to get volunteers out there to tag them.’’
Gomez is prepared to have one pumpkin for every household, so he figures he’ll need 1,200 to 1,500. If he’s left with any, he’ll sell them
off at the farmers’ market for a donation.
“Everyone thinks it’s a great idea. They think it’s a great twist to what’s normally been done for elections, and that’s really what I’m trying to show people. Just because something has been done one way too long doesn’t mean there can’t be a better way to do
it. It’s the same (message) I’m trying to bring to city council, a fresh perspective.’’
Gomez expects to start handing out the pumpkins in the coming week or leaving his card offering to drop one off.