Candidates answer questions
Estes.org has a Charley Dickey-sponsored email where the 10 town board candidates answer 20 questions. That's 200 responses on a matrix to go through, and very quickly you will lose interest, because you have to keep scrolling up or down to remember who is answering (ever heard of using different colors for different individuals, CDIV?). However, save yourself the trouble. In fact, I would recommend, if you haven't seen it yet, just ignoring who is answering and checking out the answers. Because, with only a few exceptions, the responses are mind-numbingly the same, only that some of the candidates have decided, in order to score extra credit, they need to "pad" their answers with more verbiage. Apparently, by all of their logic, some things like pot shops should be voted on by the citizens of the town. Other things with a far greater overall impact, like the Loop, for example, not so much. (Despite all the programs offered recently on "fake news", this question was framed as if the Loop was already finished, and now, blast it all, "how do we silence all the malcontents?") I'm sure if the federal government was offering the town $20 million to open pot shops and nothing to fix the downtown traffic "problem", all responses would be reversed.
Not surprisingly, the two incumbents are on cruise control, because I'm sure they figure they don't need to demonstrate a working knowledge of everything (c'mon, 28-year-olds who have lived here less than 5 years are suddenly experts on the flood plain?), they already believe they know more than the questioner or their opponents because they attend (or should) all the study sessions and the meetings where they serve as liaison, and have put in their time (not to be confused with actually putting in prep time and actively participating). This may not be the best tack. Estes has a long history of rewarding cute energetic puppies at the polls.
Sadly, none of the candidates were able to express their true opinions, because to do so would be to risk offending certain voting blocs they have to "snow job" in order to get the greatest possible number of votes. "Talk blandly, apologize after the election" seems to be the working model. Why didn't even one responder say, "That's a stupid question, which is so obvious or phrased so poorly so as to show your bias, I refuse to waste my time on it." Now that is a take-charge individual, not just another plug-in board hopper cut from the same dull matzo dough. (Note to candidates: 7 of you are going to lose. That's just a fact. Why go down blandly? Why not make an impression for the next time around? Ask yourself, who were the losing candidates for town board in 1996? Don't remember? That's because no one does.)
Win or go home is a good motto, if this were a fair race. It's not. So either point out why you are going to lose (C'mon, Barbara, is your website serious? Could you at least fill the page?) or make it so you don't - Think of Mark Elrod's performance at the LWV forum that won him the election - Think of it, but recognize it may be too late to cram three years of law school into the three weeks before the election.
Finally, two concerns: (1) Who was behind this effort, and how do they merit getting the candidates' attention any more than any other private citizen(s)? Where do I sign up to ask my questions, which would be far different, and far more able to distinguish actual leaders from pretenders and night before the test crammers?
(2) One of the questions dealt with the museum, and from the responses, you would think every one of the candidates had a relentless passion for history and preservation of Estes Park monuments and artifacts. Why, after 10 years of pretty much constant monthly programming (in some months, like thus far this year in February and March, weekly advertised lectures and history programs), have I yet to see any current trustees or trustee candidates at one of my programs/lectures/free events at the Stanley? C'mon, Ward, I support your family's efforts. Hypocrisy much?
Not surprisingly, the two incumbents are on cruise control, because I'm sure they figure they don't need to demonstrate a working knowledge of everything (c'mon, 28-year-olds who have lived here less than 5 years are suddenly experts on the flood plain?), they already believe they know more than the questioner or their opponents because they attend (or should) all the study sessions and the meetings where they serve as liaison, and have put in their time (not to be confused with actually putting in prep time and actively participating). This may not be the best tack. Estes has a long history of rewarding cute energetic puppies at the polls.
 |
| Oh, how I long for the campaigns of yore... |
Win or go home is a good motto, if this were a fair race. It's not. So either point out why you are going to lose (C'mon, Barbara, is your website serious? Could you at least fill the page?) or make it so you don't - Think of Mark Elrod's performance at the LWV forum that won him the election - Think of it, but recognize it may be too late to cram three years of law school into the three weeks before the election.
Finally, two concerns: (1) Who was behind this effort, and how do they merit getting the candidates' attention any more than any other private citizen(s)? Where do I sign up to ask my questions, which would be far different, and far more able to distinguish actual leaders from pretenders and night before the test crammers?
(2) One of the questions dealt with the museum, and from the responses, you would think every one of the candidates had a relentless passion for history and preservation of Estes Park monuments and artifacts. Why, after 10 years of pretty much constant monthly programming (in some months, like thus far this year in February and March, weekly advertised lectures and history programs), have I yet to see any current trustees or trustee candidates at one of my programs/lectures/free events at the Stanley? C'mon, Ward, I support your family's efforts. Hypocrisy much?
Comments
Post a Comment