GeeGuy has an entry which addresses a commenter’s concern that the entire debate is somehow being controlled by Mayor Stebbins. Trust me – she has nothing to do with organizing the debate. The last time that I saw Mayor Dona was back in July, when I ran into her and her husband downtown as they were enjoying a meal at a restaurant. About a week later, she e-mailed me to ask if I was attending a local sporting event. That was my last contact with her.
This reason for this debate is quite simple: people like me, GeeGuy, and plenty of others want to take a more active role in our local government, and we don’t want to wait around for the Tribune or KRTV to organize a “debate” — and I use quotes around the word because most of what passes for a “debate” (on the state and national level, too) is usually nothing more than bland questions being met with canned responses from the candidates that, while they may reveal where a politican stands on an issue, often reveal very little about how candidates will actually govern and lead.
If you don’t like the idea of the debate – great, then don’t show up! But if you want the opportunity to see the candidates responding to real questions, and interacting with citizens in a more lively forum than a press conference, then come on down!
No good deed goes unpunished!
I think it is brilliant and something this town desperately needed. Thank you for taking the initiative! Can’t wait to attend.
It’s a great idea. But part of what makes it a great idea is that Dave and Gee Guy are above reproach in my opinion. If these guys are putting it on, it’ll be a class act. And hell, I’m a leftwing wacko!
I don’t think that Dave & GeeGuy should have to be in the position of “having to explain” (or feeling they have to explain) themselves either.
Have them debate stadium security at Centene next season.
See my blog (tony in montana) for details of an incident that even shocked me.
It happened right after I left the ballpark after the last playoff game. Oh, and have them debate those traffic lights that have no turn arrows.