Topic: Fionna Helston al Amat Elected Governor

Darien Fenner

Date: 2011-05-22 20:26 EST
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/75546615.jpg Senior Columnist: Madu Adeniji

Fionna Helston al Amat Elected Governor May 22, 2011

R.D., RHYDIN —- Fionna Helston al Amat overcame questions on ethics and cologne to become the fifth Governor of RhyDin today.

Helston al Amat's close victory was announced all around the city this morning, prompting bursts of raucous cheer by supporters outside voting booths in West End.

"I have to say, I'm rightly relieved!" Arman Liever, 32, said. "I think our new Governor's head is definitely in the right place. I think she means well."

Others, elsewhere, disagree.

"I didn't want another Helston and I didn't ask for another Helston," Farida Christensen, 41, said. "Mark my words: everything she's promising is wishful thinking on her part, and it will end badly."

Despite mixed feelings on her victory, Helston al Amat claims she will not only celebrate the race's favorable outcome, but the solidarity that flourished during the campaign.

"I want to thank each of them for a hard-fought and cleanly-run campaign season," Helston al Amat told the Post this morning. "We were able to disagree on many of the issues, yet when it counted, we stood together against an enemy of the common good. This really demonstrates what being RhyDinian is all about: unity that still manages to celebrate diversity."

Helston al Amat, the second woman to acquire the title of Governor " an office that was only established in RhyDin in the last five years " won by a slim margin of only a few votes. Close behind were Matthew Simon, former Governor twice-over, and Corlanthis Wystansayr, local restaurant owner.

"The race was really about the issues this year, rather than personalities," said Helston al Amat. "Slavery and government control of the economy were two really pivotal topics on the minds of voters, as reflected both in the questions that arose during the debates and in the threats of violence against the candidates that were issued from certain corners of the city. Each of the candidates who participated this year had unique perspectives on these issues, and I think that really made for an interesting public dialogue."

Though her inauguration was only today, Helston al Amat assures RhyDin that the work toward a better future is just beginning.

"First, I want to meet with leaders of the community to begin a dialogue about vision for the coming year. Where can the private sector, volunteerism and government support join forces to create the best results" At the same time, I think it is important to begin the process of keeping a commitment made during the campaign season. To that end, a small, objective, volunteer task force will be formed to begin reviewing existing city contracts to see which, if any, violate the terms of the Fair Labor Agreement."

Helston al Amat went on to say that she felt humbled by the results of the election, and was extremely grateful to the citizens of RhyDin and her electoral opponents.

"Someone asked me yesterday in the Red Dragon Inn what it felt like to run in the race this year. My answer was, and remains, 'inspiring'. I am inspired by the people I have talked to during the campaign, by the public response to my positions on the issues, and by the unexpectedly large voter turnout this year. This election mattered.?

Stay with The RhyDin Post for continuing coverage of the 2011 election and a one-on-one interview with Fionna Helston al Amat in the future.