Stand Up. Speak Out. Vote.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Philadelphia and stand inside Independence Hall, in the very room where the Declaration of Independence was debated, edited and signed.

Standing there gave me goosebumps.

It was impossible not to think about the enormous risk those early Americans took when they chose to stand up and demand a voice in their government. Their decisions affected not only themselves, but their families, neighbors and communities. Their courage helped establish something we can easily take for granted today: the opportunity to participate in our government and make our voices heard.

I get to vote. You get to vote. So why aren’t more of us doing it?

I get frustrated when I see low voter turnout because we really don’t have a chance of making change if people don’t participate. It’s easy to complain, become frustrated with government or feel like our individual voices don’t matter. But voting is the most important way we have to make those voices heard.

Every election gives us an opportunity to participate. Our votes tell our elected officials what matters to the people they represent, and our voices cannot be heard if we don’t use them.

That’s why I believe each of us needs to do our part.

This fall, I’ll be using our reader board at Shuel’s Lumber to remind people to vote, and I hope other CWHBA members will find their own ways to encourage their employees, customers, friends and neighbors to participate too.

Research the candidates. Learn about the issues. Ask questions. Be informed. And then make your own voice heard.

Whatever your views, don’t sit on the sidelines. I will be turning in my ballot on November 3rd. Will you?

On November 3: Stand up. Speak out. VOTE.

— Roxanne
Shuel’s Lumber