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Post by admin on Oct 2, 2008 4:31:49 GMT -5
It is time to start serious discussion about getting a meeting together where the public is given the opportunity to meet the candidates. I believe this is a fair thing to ask and have the highest hopes of making this happen. I sent the following email to two candidates:
To Candidates Schnurr and Miller:
Before I go further, this email will be posted in its entirety on the Freehold Voice as a public record. I will do so immediately after sending you this email.
I am reaching you to you two because you are friends and the only two of the candidates who I know how to reach. I expect you will need to discuss this with your running mates.
I am petitioning that all candidates for Freehold Borough council agree to a town hall meeting which would give the voters of this town an opportunity to meet you and get to know all of you a little better. It is great that our town has a race this year. It is to all of your credit that the four of you wish to serve and make a positive difference in our town.
I am going to assemble a small group of people to put this meeting together. For the purpose of neutrality and fairness, I invite you each to submit one person to sit on this committee I will assemble. Your pick should be a fair minded person with a civil tone. Your individual pick need not be a party supporter, just someone you trust to see a fair meeting put together. I will assemble the rest of the group.
I am referring to this as a "Town Hall Meet and Greet", not a debate. Debate indicates division and hostility, two things I will not encourage. This forum will be modeled after town hall meetings that League of Women Voters has hosted in our town in the past. I am not doing this for either of you. I am seeking this for our town residents. We, the residents you wish to serve, deserve this.
I eagerly await your responses and hope that all four candidates will be willing to meet with our residents in this forum. Your responses will also be a part of public record.
Brian
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Post by novillero on Oct 2, 2008 16:32:01 GMT -5
this was the 2nd "BIG" announcement? It should be that Brian's face is as blue as the invitation announcement above... blue from holding his breath. Don't.
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Post by admin on Oct 2, 2008 21:07:49 GMT -5
this was the 2nd "BIG" announcement? It should be that Brian's face is as blue as the invitation announcement above... blue from holding his breath. Don't. Was blue the appropriate color? We will see. I received a partial response from one side. I am awaiting the other. Bottom line, I am sincere in putting together a good meeting for our town residents. We deserve some sort of forum to meet the candidates. Last year there was some talk, but nobody acted. I have no problem with getting this going and believe it needs to happen. I will make every effort to be neutral. That is why I insist that each side appoint one person to the committee that puts this meeting together. They will see for themselves that a fair approach is given to all sides. People should look at it this way. I know two candidates, one from each side, and like them both. I have nothing against either. I know little about the other two candidates. I have nothing good or bad to say about them. A person does not get more neutral than that. |
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Post by admin on Oct 3, 2008 4:51:46 GMT -5
I received a partial response from the other team. At this point, both parties need to discuss this among themselves. I have been told by both teams that they will have an answer early next week.
I do want to clarify, what I am trying to accomplish is much less a debate between the two teams. I am simply seeking a forum where the general public has the opportunity to engage all of the candidates. This is for the people, not the candidates.
I will place one more offer on the table and this is for the people too. If any are interested in putting this together, please reach out to me and let me know.
Those who know me already know how to reach me. Those who do not, and are interested, can reach me at
brian@people-fb.com
If you use the latter, identify yourself and leave easy to reach contact information.
Interested people should be capable of being neutral and fair. I need answers by the end of this coming weekend.
Brian
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Post by richardkelsey on Oct 3, 2008 12:10:44 GMT -5
Let me know if anyone accepts. I will be happy to fill in for any of the candidates that don't make it.
I'll drive up from VA and take questions of any length on any subject related to Freehold. The people have the right to have questions answered -- even if there own elected officials won't or can't do it.
To make it fair -- I will debate every member of the current council -- simultaneously. They can bring the Mayor, and their outside legal counsel for help too.
If I am not declared the winner, I will donate to Mike Wilson's next re-election campaign. ;D
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Post by botaniseur on Oct 3, 2008 20:35:06 GMT -5
Richard, I love your style....
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Post by novillero on Oct 7, 2008 13:52:23 GMT -5
I received a partial response from the other team. At this point, both parties need to discuss this among themselves. I have been told by both teams that they will have an answer early next week. I do want to clarify, what I am trying to accomplish is much less a debate between the two teams. I am simply seeking a forum where the general public has the opportunity to engage all of the candidates. This is for the people, not the candidates. I will place one more offer on the table and this is for the people too. If any are interested in putting this together, please reach out to me and let me know. Those who know me already know how to reach me. Those who do not, and are interested, can reach me at brian@people-fb.com If you use the latter, identify yourself and leave easy to reach contact information. Interested people should be capable of being neutral and fair.[glow=red,2,300] I need answers by the end of this coming weekend. [/glow] Brian Brian, what answers did you get??? andare you still holding your breath??? |
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Post by admin on Oct 7, 2008 15:54:08 GMT -5
I received a partial response from the other team. At this point, both parties need to discuss this among themselves. I have been told by both teams that they will have an answer early next week. I do want to clarify, what I am trying to accomplish is much less a debate between the two teams. I am simply seeking a forum where the general public has the opportunity to engage all of the candidates. This is for the people, not the candidates. I will place one more offer on the table and this is for the people too. If any are interested in putting this together, please reach out to me and let me know. Those who know me already know how to reach me. Those who do not, and are interested, can reach me at brian@people-fb.com If you use the latter, identify yourself and leave easy to reach contact information. Interested people should be capable of being neutral and fair.[glow=red,2,300] I need answers by the end of this coming weekend. [/glow] Brian Brian, what answers did you get??? andare you still holding your breath??? Not one site reader or participant has reached out with interest. I am still awaiting answers from both parties. Yes, I am turning many shades of blue. If, or when I get answers, I will post them at the same time to be fair to both. |
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bergsteiger
Full Member
War is simple, direct, and ruthless
Posts: 1,189
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Post by bergsteiger on Oct 8, 2008 7:21:37 GMT -5
Let me know if anyone accepts. I will be happy to fill in for any of the candidates that don't make it. I'll drive up from VA and take questions of any length on any subject related to Freehold. The people have the right to have questions answered -- even if there own elected officials won't or can't do it. To make it fair -- I will debate every member of the current council -- simultaneously. They can bring the Mayor, and their outside legal counsel for help too. If I am not declared the winner, I will donate to Mike Wilson's next re-election campaign. ;D I will buy the donuts and coffee.  |
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Post by admin on Oct 9, 2008 17:09:05 GMT -5
Just an update, there is a decent chance that a town hall forum will happen. I am waiting for one piece of the puzzle.
I do have a good core group ready to go and get this thing done well. I will not divulge their names because if this meeting falls flat, I will take the fall alone. I will say they are good decent people who most will recognize and be happy with.
We are already discussing location.
Time is short, so when I get that last piece, we will move quickly and give the residents of our town a really good forum.
I still extend the invitation to others who may have an interest in helping.
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Post by richardkelsey on Oct 9, 2008 17:18:06 GMT -5
Just an update, there is a decent chance that a town hall forum will happen. I am waiting for one piece of the puzzle. I do have a good core group ready to go and get this thing done well. I will not divulge their names because if this meeting falls flat, I will take the fall alone. I will say they are good decent people who most will recognize and be happy with. We are already discussing location. Time is short, so when I get that last piece, we will move quickly and give the residents of our town a really good forum. I still extend the invitation to others who may have an interest in helping. I would actually pay money to be the moderator. ;D |
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Post by admin on Oct 10, 2008 17:11:12 GMT -5
The town hall meeting that I had hoped to put together will not happen. I place no blame or ill will at the feet of any of the candidates.
I did this for the sole purpose that I believe our town deserves it. I also have a great deal of confidence that had the meeting occurred, it would have been a great success. I believe that because I have a lot of faith in the people of our town. We do have very good people here.
My confidence was bolstered because I did have a group of outstanding residents who were willing to help put this together on very short notice. These are people who have been involved in our town in many good ways. I know this team would have delivered a good meeting for the rest of our residents. I also know the candidates would have been made to feel very welcome and comfortable at the meeting. As mentioned, I will not post the names of the rest of the team. Since the meeting fell on its face, I will be the one to take the blame. After all, I am the one who came to this site and shot his mouth off.
Maybe next year.
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Post by novillero on Oct 11, 2008 5:34:29 GMT -5
yes, Brian, it is all your fault that the candidates will not address us peasants.
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Post by novillero on Oct 11, 2008 13:31:58 GMT -5
I would say that walking door to door and introducing themselves personally qualifies as "addressing" the "peasants." can you guarantee that all four candidates will arrive at my door when I am at home between now and the election? I have never seen one at my door, ever, in my entire lifetime. I would prefer an exchange of ideas between the candidates who are looking for the nod from the peasantry. Not games. |
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Post by admin on Oct 11, 2008 15:47:07 GMT -5
I would say that walking door to door and introducing themselves personally qualifies as "addressing" the "peasants." It is unfortunate, but at the municipal level, sans a meeting like the one discussed in this thread, door to door campaigning is the best we can hope for. One would hope that the knock comes at a time when the occupant is home and not engaged in activities that would make a front stoop conversation inconvenient. Another down side to door to door is that the occupant may not be prepared to ask the right questions. Beyond that, we get to look forward to ugly signs littering up front lawns and what little morsels we may find in news paper articles. The above is the typical municipal model for campaigns and really does not give voters who crave knowledge very much to make an informed decision when it comes time to pull that lever. There is little question that a town meeting done in good taste is an asset. |
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Oct 13, 2008 19:04:08 GMT -5
The town hall meeting that I had hoped to put together will not happen. I place no blame or ill will at the feet of any of the candidates. I did this for the sole purpose that I believe our town deserves it. I also have a great deal of confidence that had the meeting occurred, it would have been a great success. I believe that because I have a lot of faith in the people of our town. We do have very good people here. My confidence was bolstered because I did have a group of outstanding residents who were willing to help put this together on very short notice. These are people who have been involved in our town in many good ways. I know this team would have delivered a good meeting for the rest of our residents. I also know the candidates would have been made to feel very welcome and comfortable at the meeting. As mentioned, I will not post the names of the rest of the team. Since the meeting fell on its face, I will be the one to take the blame. After all, I am the one who came to this site and shot his mouth off. Maybe next year. I am ashamed that I have been away from the site for some time and missed all this about a possible town hall meeting. I am not surprised in the least that it will not happen. Brian, I realize this is going to sound antagonistic, but I propose the meeting gets held regardless. Drum up the interest in the meeting, get the people of the town together, and let the candidates decide if they want to join us or not...in essence, let the people of the town see first hand who is willing to show up and listen to their concerns...any candidate who does not show up may have some explaining to do to his potential voters. I don't believe in bailing on the meeting simply because our candidates have bailed on it. They are our public servants (or they want to be)... they answer to us...hold the meeting and hold them accountable for whether or not they show up. Rich...I expect you to drive up for this meeting regardless!!! And if no one else shows up...I'll debate you...though it may be a flashback to the debate team back in high school, where we simply pick out of a hat the side of the argument that we have to stand for. |
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Post by richardkelsey on Oct 14, 2008 11:52:24 GMT -5
The town hall meeting that I had hoped to put together will not happen. I place no blame or ill will at the feet of any of the candidates. I did this for the sole purpose that I believe our town deserves it. I also have a great deal of confidence that had the meeting occurred, it would have been a great success. I believe that because I have a lot of faith in the people of our town. We do have very good people here. My confidence was bolstered because I did have a group of outstanding residents who were willing to help put this together on very short notice. These are people who have been involved in our town in many good ways. I know this team would have delivered a good meeting for the rest of our residents. I also know the candidates would have been made to feel very welcome and comfortable at the meeting. As mentioned, I will not post the names of the rest of the team. Since the meeting fell on its face, I will be the one to take the blame. After all, I am the one who came to this site and shot his mouth off. Maybe next year. I am ashamed that I have been away from the site for some time and missed all this about a possible town hall meeting. I am not surprised in the least that it will not happen. Brian, I realize this is going to sound antagonistic, but I propose the meeting gets held regardless. Drum up the interest in the meeting, get the people of the town together, and let the candidates decide if they want to join us or not...in essence, let the people of the town see first hand who is willing to show up and listen to their concerns...any candidate who does not show up may have some explaining to do to his potential voters. I don't believe in bailing on the meeting simply because our candidates have bailed on it. They are our public servants (or they want to be)... they answer to us...hold the meeting and hold them accountable for whether or not they show up. Rich...I expect you to drive up for this meeting regardless!!! And if no one else shows up...I'll debate you...though it may be a flashback to the debate team back in high school, where we simply pick out of a hat the side of the argument that we have to stand for. I have several thoughts. First -- I don't discount the value of door to door communication with voters. In a Town like Freehold, there is no excuse for candidates not to have walked districts at least twice -- if they start soon enough and are dedicated to reaching out to voters. That is where each voter gets an opportunity to be heard on the issue about which that voter cares most. Having said that -- many door knocking campaigns target lists -- identifying party voters. Thus, many candidates skip the doors of either those who don't vote, or those in another party. So in reality, door knocking,while important and valuable, allows the candidate to choose the doors and the audience. That is not the same as a forum. I have long said that not having these forums is absolutely unacceptable. But remember, you get the government you deserve, and if the people of Freehold are willing to allow candidates not to appear at forums, that is their choice. I know that when I ran -- we had a forum in Freehold. (That was pre-machine) Both Mr. Schnurr and Mike D. are fully capable and competent individuals, so I see no reason why they would skip such a forum. If it were me living in Freehold, I would organize a forum and hold that forum -- irrespective of who elects to show up. That's how responsible citizens hold political candidates accountable -- for at least one night. If no candidates show -- then have an open forum on issues that matter to residents and let those issues be heard. Invite the press, and invite any other officials running for offices that affect Freehold. The people of Freehold must create an expectation of accountability. Right now -- incumbents have no incentive to appear because they are routinely re-elected, and the failure to appear brings no consequences. In my view -- failing to answer questions one night in an organized town forum is inexcusable -- and door walking does not equate to a open, fair, bi-partisan, public forum. Door knocking is associated in the business, with a get out the vote partisan effort. |
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Post by admin on Oct 15, 2008 6:46:47 GMT -5
I am ashamed that I have been away from the site for some time and missed all this about a possible town hall meeting. I am not surprised in the least that it will not happen. Brian, I realize this is going to sound antagonistic, but I propose the meeting gets held regardless. Drum up the interest in the meeting, get the people of the town together, and let the candidates decide if they want to join us or not...in essence, let the people of the town see first hand who is willing to show up and listen to their concerns...any candidate who does not show up may have some explaining to do to his potential voters. I don't believe in bailing on the meeting simply because our candidates have bailed on it. They are our public servants (or they want to be)... they answer to us...hold the meeting and hold them accountable for whether or not they show up. Rich...I expect you to drive up for this meeting regardless!!! And if no one else shows up...I'll debate you...though it may be a flashback to the debate team back in high school, where we simply pick out of a hat the side of the argument that we have to stand for. I have several thoughts. First -- I don't discount the value of door to door communication with voters. In a Town like Freehold, there is no excuse for candidates not to have walked districts at least twice -- if they start soon enough and are dedicated to reaching out to voters. That is where each voter gets an opportunity to be heard on the issue about which that voter cares most. Having said that -- many door knocking campaigns target lists -- identifying party voters. Thus, many candidates skip the doors of either those who don't vote, or those in another party. So in reality, door knocking,while important and valuable, allows the candidate to choose the doors and the audience. That is not the same as a forum. I have long said that not having these forums is absolutely unacceptable. But remember, you get the government you deserve, and if the people of Freehold are willing to allow candidates not to appear at forums, that is their choice. I know that when I ran -- we had a forum in Freehold. (That was pre-machine) Both Mr. Schnurr and Mike D. are fully capable and competent individuals, so I see no reason why they would skip such a forum. If it were me living in Freehold, I would organize a forum and hold that forum -- irrespective of who elects to show up. That's how responsible citizens hold political candidates accountable -- for at least one night. If no candidates show -- then have an open forum on issues that matter to residents and let those issues be heard. Invite the press, and invite any other officials running for offices that affect Freehold. The people of Freehold must create an expectation of accountability. Right now -- incumbents have no incentive to appear because they are routinely re-elected, and the failure to appear brings no consequences. In my view -- failing to answer questions one night in an organized town forum is inexcusable -- and door walking does not equate to a open, fair, bi-partisan, public forum. Door knocking is associated in the business, with a get out the vote partisan effort. Rich and Andrew, I see that both of you mentioned that the meeting should have gone forward anyway. That certainly has merit and I did think of that. I took the approach I did so as to be neutral, fair, and open to both parties. The big bear on this entire issue is that we have such a small window of opportunity to get this done. If either side wanted to do something without the other, they can certainly do it on their own. I was acting on behalf of the residents of our town. I figured each side would jump at this. I know and like both Ted and George. I was surprised at the reactions I got. I was surprised at the feet dragging. There is no good reason for either one of them to distrust me and my intentions. I promised myself that I would not come back to this site and beat on any of them. On that note, all I will say is that my perspectives have certainly changed and soured on certain elements in this town. Campaigning and elections appear to change people, and not for the better. I do look forward to the day after election day when we can get the old Ted and Geo back. |
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Oct 15, 2008 12:03:45 GMT -5
Brian...the whole point of the meeting was to have the voice of the people heard. That is why I say have the meeting anyway. Let the people come together and voice their concerns, problems, issues, and complaints. If none of the candidates show up, again, that will be their decision and one that all in attendance should take into serious consideration when they go to the polls.
Believe it or not, I am not saying all of this with a biased towards either side. As I hope I have made clear in several posts on this site over the last couple of years, while I may lean one way or another from issue to issue, I have always believed that our elected leaders, at every level, have a responsibility to listen to those who they chose to represent...and it doesn't happen nearly enough on any level of government (in my opinion).
"We the people" can't simple continue to sit back and take it when anyone who wants to be in public office doesn't want to meet with us. I am tired of hearing that they will not participate unless it's on "their terms"...what about us??
As I said before, I say hold the meeting anyway, and as Rich pointed out...invite the media!!
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Post by richardkelsey on Oct 23, 2008 13:08:27 GMT -5
BTW -- I wrote -- what I think is a non-partisan letter regarding the issue of town forums -- and my experience therewith in Freehold back when they used to be both expected and held.
I hope the Transcript will publish it -- but believe it or not -- they don't publish everything I write.
If they don't publish it -- I will share it with the site for anyone who cares. Perhaps it will lead to the return of public discourse and the expectation of such in the Borough in furture years.
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Oct 23, 2008 15:04:05 GMT -5
You realize, of course, that letter coming from you, "300 miles away in Virginia" will surely be met with some type of negative response.
In contrast, if I wrote the letter, we'd get no response at all...I don't know which is worse.
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Post by admin on Oct 23, 2008 15:55:58 GMT -5
Rich,
I look forward to the letter.
Andrew,
If at first you don't succed. try, try again!
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