Candidate Interviews

I have been disappointed in recent years at the meager turnout for city elections. The pace and complexity of modern living and working is grueling for many Laurelites. The local newspapers have limited space for campaign information. People are often too busy to get to know either the issues or the candidates well. We need a new kind of front porch or backyard fence to get to know one another and to learn what is going on around town.

I purposely set out during this Laurel election season to offer an electronic forum for discussing important civic issues. I hope that by using hyper local web technologies like this blog and wikis, we can more easily facilitate the conversation that is so important for candidates and voters alike.

I have invited each of the 8 candidates for city council to answer 4 open-ended questions. The only requirement I have is that they limit their response to each question to 250 words or less.

Here are the questions:

1. Who are you?
2. Why do you want the job of Laurel council member at this time?
3. What are the three most important things you want to accomplish if (re)elected?
4. What is your vision for Laurel 10 years from today?

I'll be posting the candidate responses to the interviews as I receive them. Be sure to add your own questions and comments. Hopefully the candidates will use this blog to continue the dialogue.

There is also a candidate forum tomorrow, Wednesday 8 March 2006, at 7:00 pm at City Hall.

The Laurel municipal election will by held on MONDAY March 20th, 2006 at the Phelps Center, 701 Montgomery Street from 7am to 8pm. See the city election page for voter information."

"Any man who knows all the answers most likely misunderstood the questions." -Anon.