I have been on the vision 2020 list for quite sometime now. I would like
to think I keep up with all the current issues in Moscow, or at least I
try to, if not I would not be running for City Council. I am more than
willing to dialogue with vision 2020 on upcoming or current issues. I am a
firm believer that I would be representing the citizens of Moscow and not
just my personal opinion. Also there are many issues and it is impossibe
to be an expert on each one so I would more than welcome input and
comments.
As far as technology, I love e-mail, voice mail, computers, scanners, if
it plugs in and lights flash and I can erase most of my misspellings
easily I am pretty happy. I have been very pleased with the work Gib Myers
has done in posting to vision 2020, also with Tom Trail and the nod of the
Daily News in what is being discussed. I would want to keep all lines of
communication open to all public whether they prefer snail-mail, phone or
my preference e-mail. I think by listening, talking and voicing opinions
it the best way to carry us forward. I hope this answers some of your
questions, let me know if you have others.
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Peg Hamlett \ ! / ~~~
882-4708 office @~ [[[]]]]
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On Thu, 30 Oct 1997, Susan Palmer wrote:
>
> Visionaries,
>
> I hope we can continue to maintain several discussion threads
> simultaneously. The swimming pool thread has been useful for me since I
> am merely a leisure swimmer and previously was ambivalent about pool
> issues. Although I am parting from ambivalence, continued discussion will
> help me reach an informed opinion.
>
> However, the thread I'd like to pick up on here is the discussion of
> uncontested candidates and democracy. I grew up in a household that
> embraced democracy and political debate. We took for granted that no
> singular candidate could possibly represent the entire constituency of
> citizens and array of ideas, and that naturally all seats ought to be
> contested on democratic principle.
>
> If I dare to speak on behalf of my sister, Councilmember Pam Palmer, I
> would suggest that this family philosophy is in large part what led Pam to
> run against Mayor Paul Agidius, who otherwise would have been an
> uncontested candidate. Although (to my knowledge:-) ) Pam is not formally
> affiliated with either of the major political parties, when she campaigned
> for mayor she received occasional admonishments from Democrats and
> Republicans alike for challenging the incumbent, Mayor Agidius.
>
> Likewise, I believe former candidate Bill Rember, a Democrat, was
> motivated, in part, to challenge Republican Maynard Miller to ensure the
> seat did not go unchallenged. (It wasn't that simple, but certainly a
> component.) I believe he received similar admonishments from a few
> Democrats who believed, for some reason, that the incumbent should not be
> challenged.
>
> Now we have four unchallenged seats, and the certainty of a council
> vacancy (future mayor Comstock's midterm council seat) following the
> election. It sets a political climate that feels like a one party
> system--as Michael Parenti coined "Demopublicans." I don't know if the two
> major parties just aren't aggressive enough to identify candidates, or if
> the parties have melded together so much that they are indistinguishable
> and thus there is no need for contested elections.
>
> Whatever the case, Steve Cooke has set the right example by asking even
> uncontested candidates questions. And we should ask them some of the
> hardest questions before us. I will leave those to the list for now.
>
> >From a Moscow Vision 2020 vantage point, one concern is whether a
> candidate has the leadership required to carry us into the 21st century.
> For those on the list, it may seem banal for me to point out that elected
> officials need to keep step with technology and envision how technology
> can be used to enhance the democratic process. While not even the majority
> of citizens are "on-line" we are rapidly heading in that direction. Its
> pace may exceed the acquisition of microwave ovens.
>
> Politicians at the cusp of the century and millenium who are
> computer-phobic are going to be left behind in the dust. The laudatory
> reviews that Tom Trail has received for his exemplary use of
> communicating with his constituents through the Vision 2020 listserver and
> personal e-mail is well deserved.
>
> While I am with the camp who are both perplexed and disturbed about the
> trend toward uncontested elections, I would like those very candidates
> locally to reveal their perspective regarding communication with
> constituents, staying abreast of public discourse such as the Vision 2020
> listserver, and what they will do to enhance the democratic and political
> process for the 21st century. If that is too ambitious, perhaps the
> next decade or few years is within their reach to respond.
>
> Just my two cents, plus a few more.
>
> Best,
> Susan Palmer
>
> *-----------------------------------------------------------------*
> Susan Palmer Phone: 208-885-6616
> Women's Resource Specialist FAX: 208-885-6285
> for Education Outreach, Gender Equity, and Research
> Women's Center e-mail: susanp@uidaho.edu
> [Lecturer, Sociology Dept.]
> University of Idaho
> Moscow, Idaho 83844-1064
> "People convinced against their will,
> hold the same opinion still."
> *-----------------------------------------------------------------*
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