Last week, on my way out for an appointment, I heard a sound of paper shuffling from the house next door.
I took a quick look and saw the back of a man, elegantly dressed, holding a stack of what looked like flyers, and was waiting for someone to answer the door.

Since I was in a rush, and since it was really really hot that day, I tried to quickly sneak into the car without him noticing me, because the last thing I wanted was to listen to a marketing person endlessly brag about some product or service, or to answer an infinite number of questions of a boring survey.

But the minute I pressed the “unlock” button, the man turned to me, with the biggest, warmest and friendliest smile ever, that I couldn’t even get upset he saw me.
He looked so familiar for some reason.
” I don’t think there’s anyone in there” he said, looking at the neighbors’ door.
“I think they’re out” I replied, still trying to figure where I’d seen his face.
“Yeah, most people work these days and come home late” he commented, while trying to hang a flyer on the neighbor’s door.
I was still trying to squeeze that brain of mine in search of an answer.
“Well, since you’re heading out, would you mind if I gave you this, instead of leaving it at your doorstep?” he asked, “yes, sure” I replied, and started walking towards him.
He gently  walked down the stairs, towards me, with that big smile still on his face, and handed me a flyer.
One look at the flyer, and my face turned all red, I was so embarrassed for not recognizing him right away, but in my defense, it’s not every day that a Regional Councillor shows up in front of you out of nowhere!
As it turns out, I was talking to The Allan Elgar, Ward 4 Regional and Town Councillor… no wonder his face looked so familiar.

I was so happy and proud to be standing next to him, talking to him as if he was my neighbor, someone I’d known for a while.
After a very brief and general conversation, in which he didn’t try to know who I was going to vote for, and didn’t even try to win my vote, I wished him good luck, and watched him walk away to hand-deliver the rest of the election flyers… by himself, with no helpers, no security, no fancy cars or anything. (Respect…)

Allan Elgar’s achievements in the region are very well known, and are more than enough a reason to re-elect him, but the fact that I got a chance to have this quick chat with him, see how comfortable he is to talk to, how humble and down-to-earth he actually is, made it even easier for me to have no doubts in voting for  him.

Mr. Elgar, you’re such an impressive individual, it was a pleasure talking to you in person, and I wish you the best of luck in the upcoming elections.