Re: Is the joke on us?

[Cathy & Jack Porter <jporter@moscow.com>]

Absolutely true.  Low turnout, or one candidate, tends to eliminate
discussion, making it easier for motivated special interest groups ( I use
this rather than minority) to place their own people in decision making
positions.

  Some local examples of such groups include: New Saint Andrews/Logos, CQE,
MEA, Republicans, Democrats, etc.

Only through multiple candidates and true open discussion of issues can the
voters be engaged.

John Danahy
jdanahy@turbonet.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack Porter" <jporter@moscow.com>
To: <vision2020@moscow.com>
Cc: <jackp@moscow.com>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 8:21 PM
Subject: Is the joke on us?


 > School board elections are typically low-turnout affairs, making them
 > vulnerable to takeover by a motivated minority.  I think the last
contested
 > election in Zone 1 drew barely over 100 voters.  The current write-in
 > candidate may appear frivolous, but his associates could get enough voters
 > to the polls to swing a close election.
 >
 > Supporters of public education need to take the trouble to vote tomorrow
to
 > make sure the outcome reflects our values.  If we let the jokesters cast
 > all the ballots, we'll deserve the punch line that comes afterward.
 >
 > Jack Porter
 >
 > P.S.  The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the school district
 > office at the corner of F and Cleveland.  Zone 1 includes the area north
of
 > D and east of Main, and the area north of Sixth between Main and Van
Buren,
 > and the rural area immediately north and northeast of the city limits.
 >
 >