Welcome to Grandpa Time, where I chronicle my antics and adventures with our grandchildren.
When I was first elected to the Racine Common Council, my children were nine and seven years old. By the time I completed my five terms, they had already spent more than half their lives at City Hall.
During my first campaign, it was a family affair. My wife, Amy, would hold my clipboard and the kids tagged along. Often, David II wanted to knock on the door, but mostly, they stayed back on the sidewalk.
One day, a colleague at work told me that I knocked on her mother’s door and that I got her vote because my family was by my side. That showed me that people are watching, even when you don’t realize that.
The night I was sworn in, the whole family was there and before I could sit in my new chair, my son had taken my place. We do share a name so he must have thought it was his too. I often joked that he would take over for me.
A lot has changed in 23 years.
My children are grown and I now have grandchildren who are eight and five. I did most of my campaigning by myself and voters aren’t as eager to open their doors.
Kai did show some interest. One day I saw him looking at my postcard and he asked if I had won. It was prior to the election so I explained that election day was coming up. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to take them with me when I did doors. I did, however, take Tanner to a ribbon cutting in the district.
Despite that, I won anyway.
As I came back to City Hall for my sixth swearing-in ceremony, I was overcome with a lot of different emotions. I knew I wanted my grandchildren there. However, the night before, I found out that their father could not get off of work.
I asked my daughter if she could drive to Sheboygan to pick the boys up. She had school until 2:30 p.m. and in all likelihood, she’d be late.
I wasn’t planning on driving to Sheboygan but I did. The first stop was Kai’s school. He didn’t know he was leaving early but when he saw me, he broke out in a big smile. We then picked up Tanner at the babysitter’s and headed to Racine.
Kai had a lot of questions. What’s an alderman? What does an alderman do? Do you get paid?
I did my best to answer his questions in a way he’d understand.
We got to City Hall early and Kai found my new desk, taking his place in my seat. When Tanner arrived with his mom, he took over the desk next to mine.
It was a night I wanted the boys to remember and when one of my colleagues mentioned that I could bring the boys up there when I got sworn in, I was filled with joy.
Those two boys have been a large part of my life and it was a moment I hope that they will never forget.
As I stood there, with my hand raised to take the oath, Kai and Tanner were standing by my side. Fortunately for them, it was a short meeting.
Afterward, we took a family picture around my new desk. I was blessed to have my father there, along with my daughter and son, my wife and the boys. By then, Tanner was tired and not the most cooperative, but the picture will sit on my desk as a reminder of why I’m there.
Sadly, my mother passed away a few years ago, so she couldn’t experience this moment with us.
The boys will be spending the summer with us, so I will be taking them to a few meetings with me. I think it’s important that they see how government works. What better way than getting a front-row perspective?
Perhaps it will inspire them.
There is no better job than being a grandfather.
About the author of ‘Grandpa Time’
David Maack, aka Grandpa, is married to Amy. They have two children, Maria and David II, and two grandchildren, Kai and Tanner.
Local news
The Racine County Eye, which includes the Kenosha Lens, is your source for local news that serves our diverse communities. Subscribe today to stay up-to-date with local news.
Follow us on Facebook: Racine County Eye or Kenosha Lens to make sure you get the latest news.
Racine County Eye and Kenosha Lens – Journalism that serves.
