The Observation Deck

Are any of the candidates going to answer the questions that were asked on the thread that the citizens posed to the mayoral candidates?

Rhonda Loje

Hi,
There does not appear to be much interest from the mayoral candidates to answer our questions, does there? Gee, if they are too busy now to answer them, I'm not sure they will have the time, if elected. Of course, one has already been elected, and has an "Open Door" policy. If only he could utilize this virtual door.

I was impressed when one candidate stressed the importance of the Office of Mayor to be a communicator to the citizens of Lakewood. I am disappointed he does not see the power of this medium to do that.

Perhaps, they are preparing those answers now and we will see some action on this shortly.

I hope so.

Donald Farris wrote:I was impressed when one candidate stressed the importance of the Office of Mayor to be a communicator to the citizens of Lakewood. I am disappointed he does not see the power of this medium to do that.

Perhaps, they are preparing those answers now and we will see some action on this shortly.

I hope so.

Don

I hope so too.

When we started this we told the candidates they were under no pressure to answer the questions of the residents and voters, as there were complaints about time.

We had hoped they would go the extra mile to get information out and address the questions of residents, most of which appear on voter roles I am sure.

Possibly this is another test to how interactive with the populace they are?

FWIW


.

I'll play devil's advocate here and say I think it's a bit unfair to push these guys too hard to post here. Too often on message boards the political debates spiral into devisive and unproductive threads that in the end represent the extreme views of a handful of people. To expect to keep things civil is, from my experience with boards anywhere, unrealistic. It's not an indictment of LO as it is of message boards in general. If I were a candidate in this wild, wild west of interaction, I'm pretty sure I'd only put my messages in a place where I can control it ... my own web site. In today's world, anything you say (or write) can and will be held against you in the court of public opinion.

Rakes, torches and dissenting opinions welcome ....

Paul Schrimpf wrote:If I were a candidate in this wild, wild west of interaction, I'm pretty sure I'd only put my messages in a place where I can control it ... my own web site.

Every politician/candidate that has shown up to post here in an informative, earnest, and respectful way has been treated similarly, and their comments are appreciated. I will say, though, that if they post disrespectfully, dishonestly, or condescendingly, they can be punished as much as any other participant.

This forum seems to have some invisible, supersensitive, B.S. meter that, when tripped, sets the masses into action against the offender.

You enter this forum, or any public arena, at your own peril. As a politician/candidate, you may choose not to participate, also at your own peril.

[quote="stephen davis"]This forum seems to have some invisible, supersensitive, B.S. meter that, when tripped, sets the masses into action against the offender.[quote]

And then the posters become the main event instead of the candidates and the issues. I'm just not clear that this is an appropriate interaction medium for a debate. Just like in business, there are certain messages that can't be conveyed in an email, political discourse on posts is left wanting for me.

The electronic medium is fine for laying down basic facts or positions, which is why a controlled web site is more desirable for candidates. The rest is too messy and potentially distorts true feelings and intentions.

Don, Rhonda, et al:

I like to think I'm willing to admit when I make a mistake- and you're right, I should have posted answers to your questions by now. My schedule has been extremely full- this week I completed my 24th houseparty, where I take any questions that are asked. I'm also on schedule to have walked every street in the city by election day, so I have been in almost constant contact with the public since May.

I have another event this evening, but I will start to post answers late tonight. Thank you for the questions.

Paul Schrimpf wrote:The electronic medium is fine for laying down basic facts or positions, which is why a controlled web site is more desirable for candidates. The rest is too messy and potentially distorts true feelings and intentions.

The candidates have posted answers in the non-interactive announcement headings right on this site. They had complete control of their answers, even though the LO lost control of when and how they posted. (Alas.)

All of the candidates will have to communicate in various venues and media that will be available to them in elected office. Let’s just call this practice.

I don't find any of this "too messy" or distorted, outside of some of the candidate proxies and surrogates that often run interference. But hey, it's election season.

As you see, Councilman/Mayoral candidate Ed Fitzgerald is very willing to participate in this forum. You will see a number of his posts here. I applaud him.

Ed FitzGerald wrote:I have another event this evening, but I will start to post answers late tonight. Thank you for the questions.

No question about "feelings and intentions" there. That's enthusiasm!

The candidates have posted answers in the non-interactive announcement headings right on this site. They had complete control of their answers, even though the LO lost control of when and how they posted. (Alas.)

Exactly right, the board lost control. It happens in online forums, which is exactly my point.

I credit Mr. FitzGerald for his enthusiam in responding to questions, although I'm way more impressed with the house party tour. On the other hand, I'm not going to judge the other candidates so harshly for not engaging here.

Paul Schrimpf wrote:Exactly right, the board lost control. It happens in online forums, which is exactly my point.

Whatever.

The candidates still got their message out and you can read their answers here, and in the paper.

Even as a well-intentioned, but botched experiment, it still worked better, and provided more content, than the CNN/YouTube talking snowman debate.

The people on this forum identify themselves and take ownership of their own words. You can see them on the streets, at public/private meetings, and at their businesses in Lakewood every day of the week. This is a venue to discuss their community with real people that may, or may not, agree with them.

One mayoral candidate's election team has stated that they will not come back here because they think it is too rough. That same candidate took content from here and put it on another online forum whose participants are mostly identified by aliases. How does it make sense to take your campaign into the anonymous mosh pit of public opinion and reject the concerns of real Lakewood citizens?

I guess we learn a little every day.