Mayors

Well, GeeGuy is up to question number six. I must admit to being a bit disapointed. I think a forum like this is perfect for screening potential politicians. They were given the questions, and how and to what extent to answer them was left up to them. We have the opportunity to see how they investigate the issues, what they feel is important, and how they respond to the public asking about issues of concern. Our concerns. I was also interested to see how they respond to criticism. 

Despite my obvious criticisms of the candidates, I fully support this type of forum, and I do believe that it helps us learn how and what these folks think about our community and issues. This post is about my personal take on what is going on, and should certainly not be construed as an attack on any individual, or the Candidates as a group. I personally have no desire to be in their shoes. I feel that being a City Commissioner in Great Falls would be very difficult position, both personally and professionally, with very few real benefits.

In his original post on this subject, GeeGuy said “(Politician non-answer answers will not be encouraged). Of course, then the readers can comment as well. Hopefully the candidates themselves will respond to the readers’ comments, and we will have some give and take.”

In another post, he stated “There will be some basic ‘ground rules’ for this forum. First, a candidate who fails or refuses to respond to the questions will be precluded from commenting on the responses of other candidates. Second, I will patrol the comments to avoid vulgarity, libel, and personal attacks. Finally, I (and my readers) will prefer direct and specific responses to the questions.”

Sadly, I don’t believe a single candidate has actually addressed another. I was kinda looking forward to that. Discussion is a good thing. These are bright, community oriented people, I hope, who are asking us to allow them to shape and mould our community, and they have no desire to debate each other on the merits of their own statements?

I have also seen a lack of direct and specific responses. Generalized statements about advocating political positions and actions they may or may not be capable or legally allowed to implement are not direct or specific. They are politician non-answer answers, littered over a forum that is perfectly capable of assimilating genuine statements and ideas. I could disagree with every answer, but I would have more respect for the participants if direct, consise answers were given.

Well, as I said, question number six is up, and answered, I guess. I honestly don’t find any of the answers satisfactory. I think they show a significant lack of knowledge and understanding about two very contentious subjects in the last few years. The Land Use Code impacts every single form of development in the City. It dictates everything from how your building looks, and what kind of landscaping you have, to what business you may have in what area. It is not all bad, it is not all good. But it is a document that every single Commissioner must have a good understanding of, because zoning is before our Commission on a very regular basis. The power issues, the time limit, the Humane society, those are individual issues, they take up the spotlight, they get the public excited. Zoning is an everyday, every week, issue that is, perhaps, mundane and booring to many. However, how it is interpreted also impacts every property owner, contractor, business owner, and taxpayer that resides in this City.

A little bitty part of the Land Use Code is called the Sign Code. Sadly, none of them even addressed it with any kind of informed information.

GeeGuy specifically asked “Please comment on the Land Use Code and the Sign Code, including their conception, adoption, and implementation.”

He got three strikes.
 

25 August 2007 | Life | Comments