No opponent, but Ladouceur loves campaigning

Pete Fontaine
Posted 10/30/14

Ed Ladouceur doesn’t face an opponent in Tuesday’s election, but that hasn’t stopped him from campaigning.

Recently Ladouceur, who represents Ward 5, had a plan to visit 100 homes in an area …

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No opponent, but Ladouceur loves campaigning

Posted

Ed Ladouceur doesn’t face an opponent in Tuesday’s election, but that hasn’t stopped him from campaigning.

Recently Ladouceur, who represents Ward 5, had a plan to visit 100 homes in an area near St. Kevin’s Church on Sandy Lane.

“I no sooner pulled up to a group of houses and it started to rain,” Ladouceur said with a smile while shrugging his shoulders. “I had my umbrella with me but I was still determined to visit my constituents.”

For the next three hours, the first term councilman and ex-U.S. Marine went door-to-door while the rain continued.

“I take my job as councilman very serious,” Ladouceur said, “and even better, I really enjoy the job.”

Ladouceur kept walking in the rain, knocking on doors and receiving a warm, yet puzzling reception from a number of people.

“It’s great to see you,” a lady said while greeting Ladouceur. “But I thought you were unopposed!”

Several other people also quizzed Ladouceur about campaigning in the rain, especially since he doesn’t have an opponent in next Tuesday’s election.

“My reply was always the same,” Ladouceur said time and again. “I don’t represent you only on sunny days; I represent you on rainy days as well. In life, some days are sunny and some are rainy and very dismal. My job is to be there for my people, regardless of the weather or circumstances.”

“I’m not going to sit around and wait until the next election,” Ladouceur told many supporters back in 2012. “My constituents put their trust in me; I don’t think they elected a part-time councilman.”

Ladouceur, though, did not start campaigning until after the Sept. 9 primary.

“I intentionally waited until after the primary,” he continued. “I just felt that my constituents were having enough company from candidates who had a primary and they didn’t need me – who doesn’t have one – calling on them at that time as well.”

Ladouceur, who personally put up more than five dozen campaign signs, said, “It was gratifying to hear and see so many of my constituents stopping and sounding their horns when they saw me putting up signs. I had many people call to say they wanted my sign on their lawn.”

There was another side to Ladouceur’s non-opponent campaigning that deeply touched the Warwick businessman.

“I totally believe that my constituents appreciated seeing me more without an opponent than they did when I ran in 2012,” Ladouceur said. “The conversations were wonderful and people were very happy to discuss their concerns and express their satisfaction with the job I am doing for them.”

Ladouceur also learned many valuable lessons – and received an education of sorts – while performing that old-fashioned campaign routine of walking in neighborhoods and knocking on doors listening to people’s concerns.

“Campaigning this time was very different for me than the first time I ran for City Council,” he admitted. “The reception I received from all the people’s homes I was able to reach has been very motivating and the encouragement from my constituents and throughout the city to continue on with my work in politics is very gratifying.”

More important and impressive is Ladouceur’s commitment to “keep on fighting for Ward 5 and all the citizens of Warwick in the years ahead – as I have done during my first term. I don’t want anyone to think I’d ever take their vote for granted.”

Comments

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  • Reality

    Can't wait Eddie until Ward 5 residents get their sewer bills.....they will be running you out of town.

    Friday, October 31, 2014 Report this

  • Unionthug

    Listening to council meetings it's clear Ed has no clue how to run a government. Can't use computer system, wants a 4 man rescue company. Advice to Ed, research just a little before you speak up at meetings.

    Sunday, November 2, 2014 Report this

  • Ward5resident

    Reality and Crew - always an opinion, never a solution. Maybe that should be put on a flyer and circulated around ward 1? An anonymous flyer, of course. The cowards way.

    Tuesday, November 4, 2014 Report this