vision2020@moscow.com: re: Daily News lack of local election coverage

re: Daily News lack of local election coverage

Greg Meyer (klewprod@valley-internet.net)
Fri, 7 Nov 1997 12:45:57 -0800 (PST)

At 09:10 AM 11/7/97 -0700, Kenton Bird wrote:
>Of course, the Daily News should have given greater prominence to the low
>turnout and vote tally. But the real story is the shortage of candidates and
>the satisfaction with the status quo which that apparently represents.
>Does anyone think that having candidates represent particular neighborhoods
>or "wards" would increase participation? From what I read of the Pullman
>City Council races on line, there were several contested races there.
>For one or two elections in the early 1980s, candidates had to file for a
>particular seat rather than running at large. But I don't know whether Idaho
>law allows cities to designate council positions to represent geographic
>areas, the way school boards are set up.
>--Kenton
>
>No contested races and the lowest turnout ever in Moscow? (6%) It's more
than disturbing. Much like the jokes circulating about what a shoe-in
Kempthorne is for the state house. Many have come to accept the sad state
of the Democratic Party in Idaho and now those of us who are settled in
"progressive" Moscow are having to come to terms with the appalling reality
of our community becoming politically sterile.

I'm reminded of a few years back, when some hundred-plus citizens came
together in the community center to discuss the formation of another local
poltical party, a Green Party. There was an energy there that I hadn't
experienced since the Moscow "aerial spraying" meetings of many years before.

Alas, the vision of those good-intentioned people (Greens) was soon blurred
and eventually blinded by disparate goals, strategies and theories.

Too bad.

Greg Meyer
>
>
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Original Message - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> I have been astounded by the complete lack of Moscow election
>coverage by the Moscow - Pullman Daily News. The paper has not even seen
>fit to print even one article acknowledging that a new mayor and three
>council members were elected, and tabulating the vote count. Surely this is
>news.
>
> Admittedly this week's uncontested election was not very exciting.
>It was, however, a missed opportunity to discuss issues, and to find out
>more about where the candidates stand on the issues. The city has an
>abundance of very important issues.
>
> I subscribe to the Daily News for one main reason -- to learn about
>what's happening in Moscow government, the U of I, local planning, and local
>organizations. Given how poor their Moscow coverage has been recently, I
>have little reason to continue my subscription.
>
>Joel Hamilton
>
>
>- - - - - - - - - - - - End of Original Message - - - - - - - - - - - -
>Kenton Bird, Visiting Assistant Professor
>Department of Journalism & Technical Communication
>Colorado State University
>Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
>Voice: (970) 491-5986 Fax: (970) 491-2908
>E-mail: KBird@vines.colostate.edu
>
>
>


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