The Observation Deck

A more interesting question than "was it fair and balanced" might be, did the exchanges on the board ultimately affect anyone's vote? It served to solidify mine a bit, but not change it.

I stumbled across the Deck just before the primary because I was looking for election info. I read through the answers to the virtual debate, and thought it was great to see candidates posting on the forums (any mudslinging aside).

Did it affect my vote? Certainly. It didn't decide my vote, but no one medium should. It gave me a lot more information about and insight into the candidates than I had previously.

I'm optimistic as well that the candidates-turned-elected-officials will continue to have a presence on the Deck, rather than abandoning ship now that they've won. This is not only a great tool for us to communicate with each other, but it's a great tool for them too. It's their finger on the pulse of the city. I don't know in the past how much the government leaders have utilized the Deck, but hopefully those that have this election season will continue to do so.

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I definitely found the virtual debate to be a useful tool. It also was how I came to find the LO, while searching for campaign info. I found that I favored candidates that answered people's questions on the site and I judged their responses to heated comments as indications of how well they may or may not be able to work with people. It was hard not to base my choice solely on how candidate's supporters represented themselves on the deck. I think it may have unintentionally swayed my vote. I feel that the observation deck could be utilized by the elected officials to have a better idea of what the citizens of Lakewood want and need from them.

I feel that the observation deck could be utilized by the elected officials to have a better idea of what the citizens of Lakewood want and need from them

Amen to that sister!

It's a tremendously useful tool, but like any tool, it needs to be used.

Jeff