YOU HEARD her say it – I imagine everyone heard her say it at some time. “Come in for a cuppa, I’ve got to leave in around ten minutes.”
That was Jill’s way of saying “I have time for you – but not too much time.”
So you felt special and on a tight schedule at the same time. In a political campaign this is manna from heaven. Being involved with Jill Jordan the candidate was both an honour, and about as much fun as root canal therapy. It never once crossed her mind that other people might not have the energy, focus and endless supply of ‘post-its’ she had. She was blissfully unaware of the hour, the pressure and the fact that normal people eat and sleep with some sort of regularity.
She was also (it turned out), blissfully unaware that a self- inflicted hair cut and paisley pants with a conflicting purple pullover were not the image of a would-be politician. The only time I saw Jill show emotion in the lead-up to the mayoral result was the afternoon her campaign team brought in a dresser and make-up lady.
“Is there something wrong with my hair?” she asked.
“It’s not just your hair,” someone had the nerve to say. “We’ve got to give you a look. You know?”
“I’ve got a look!” she responded. The room filled with silence.
She had a similar attitude towards slogans, headlines, photo shoots and talking points. Photoshop a picture to take out the worry lines? No way. Run with a slick slogan? No thanks. Working with a candidate who puts integrity above all else has its challenges. It also had the promise of a politician who puts integrity above all else. But it was not to be. Jill didn’t win her mayoral race. The region was poorer for this loss. Her team had the satisfaction of a campaign well and honestly run, and a candidate we were proud of. After the election, Jill put aside the corporate wardrobe we’d slaved over. The haircut lasted a little longer.
Sammy Ringer
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