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Devon Barclay · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 108 Location: Ingalls Street

Are you really willing to talk to your constituents?

Sadly, the Talking Stick is also the 'whipping stick' of our community. If you post here, the people that agree with what you're saying will probably read your words and be silent, and the people who disagree will probably beat up on you on the most personal of terms. Yes, it's ugly here.

That needs to change. It only changes if YOU change it.

This should be a valuable forum for discussion on ideas facing our community. We improve the situation only through example. I'm stunned that I'm the only candidate unafraid to post here publicly, and waiting... patiently... for a good idea to bring into City law.

People are hungry for a candidate's debate. People are hungry for a way to participate in their city government. Many of the folks who post here won't bother spending the time and effort to serve on a Citizen Board or Commission. And that's fine. They're here to talk smack. In some silly way, that actually IS valuable. And I like hearing what they have to say.

Candidates - you're running to represent and serve this community. You know there's a discussion here. Some of you are even posting anonymously here. Stand up, be recognized, and help enhance the discussion.

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject: Sounds good to me

Yes - hello there candidates. I've seen Barclay here, I've seen Gardner. Clark - you've got lots of pretty signs. You sound pretty animated. Why aren't you here speaking? Sounds like you've got promise, but do you have anything you'd like to get done? Broad statements on a flyer don't quite cut it for me.

And then there's George, John, and Joan... For John and Joan, this election is a popularity contest. For George, he 's a mystery player who doesn't vote but wants to represent you.

Adam Gardner · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 35

Devon,

I applaud your willingness to engage with people directly in a forum where a single anonymous sniper can create a thousand sock-puppets to shout you down.

Years ago when the 'Stick was fairly new I used to try to participate like you do. (Way back when it was on the old server.) It got to the point where every discussion devolved into a torrent of insults and shouting.

More recently, I've stayed away for months at a time, tired of how unproductive it sometimes seemed.

Of course, there is somewhat of an analogy to the 'Stick in the physical world. Just this week Councilmembers received an anonymous letter from someone in our packets. It was a full page of ideas, at about a 12 point font size. Some of the ideas were decent. Some of them were unlikely to work. Some of them had been tried before, some successfully, and others had failed. If that letter had turned into a tirade of personal attacks on me or others I might have just thrown it away. Instead, it was courteous (but still VERY frank) so I read the whole thing. Then, I discussed some of the ideas with the City Manager (since many were not legislative per se).

Sometimes I wish the 'Stick were more like that letter.

I sense that at least part of why you started this thread was not to call the other candidates out, but to encourage the rest of those who post here to help keep the discussion civil and productive.

If there were a way to design part of the 'Stick to allow good, high quality discussion, I would certainly participate more often. The only way I can think of to even come close would be to require people to register with their real names and use them when they post. Obviously that might defeat some of the advantage of total anonymity which is why I suggest it only be a part of the site.

Perhaps there are others with ideas that will help?

As an aside, if it were to become obvious that three or more members of City Council (or any board or commission) were holding discussions here, the Open Meetings Law (something I strongly support) would need to be taken into consideration. I'm sure some other community in Colorado has already tackled the question of Open Meetings and online forums, and I bet there's a workable solution.

Adam

The Harlander · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 407

Three of the candidates are under the age of forty. That is representative of the demographic shift in Edgewater and might bring about new thinking in our legislative body. The young ones have my vote for sure. As for the Mayor, well she doesn't need my vote.
Lot's of luck to all the candidates.

Guest · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

Yeah, and two are under thirty. Tough decision. Young and fresh or wise and mature? I'm gonna mix em up and hope for a good balance.

The Harlander · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 407

Two well educated under thirties. I agree, a nice mixture.

Admin · Site Admin Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 48

Adam,
I think your ideas for the Talking Stick are very good.
Perhaps when you have some time you can help me figure out how we would go about dividing the Stick into sections where residents can post under their names and the Stick can verify the poster is who they say they are, in one section of the forum while still maintaining another area for anonymous posters.
BTW the sock puppet imagery was priceless.

The Harlander · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 407

I agree with Adam, there is a lot to be said for civility. I enjoyed your post Adam, and hope there is a way for the TS to follow some of your recommendations.