OCNN launches Voter Information Project
The Oshkosh Community News Network will sponsor a Voter Information Project (VIP) to encourage citizen awareness of and participation in the 2005 city elections for Common Council and mayor.
The centerpiece of this effort will be online debates, much like the 54th District Candidates Forum that took place during the fall 2004 campaign. The online debates will be supplemented by various other kinds of information and activities, including online FAQs, interviews with city leaders and one or more town hall meetings where citizens will be encouraged to learn about policy issues and help frame alternative approaches. All of these activities will be reported on and/or provided through OCNN’s Web site, OshkoshNews.org.
In April 2005 Oshkosh voters will—for the first time in almost half a century—directly elect a mayor. This change could be far more than a minor procedural shift as it could lead to significant change in city policies and priorities. Issues such as downtown redevelopment, recreational facilities, tax rates and city service delivery could emerge as factors in the decision that voters make.
In addition certain intangibles will be in play in the election for mayor since the first person to hold this newly re-established post will create precedents for successors in terms of how the role is envisioned and discharged. For all these reasons, it is critically important that voters have access to accurate and timely information about the candidates, their positions and their plans for the future.
Already a large number of citizens have indicated an interest in running for mayor and Common Council. The Oshkosh Community News Network believes that Web technology provides the best methodology for citizens to learn about these candidates.
The Oshkosh Community News Network will be working with the Oshkosh League of Women Voters and the Oshkosh Public Library in presenting VIP. In the coming weeks, a series of special Web pages will be created for VIP.
If you would like more information or would like to participate in VIP, please contact Miles Maguire at oshkoshnews@sbcglobal.net.
The centerpiece of this effort will be online debates, much like the 54th District Candidates Forum that took place during the fall 2004 campaign. The online debates will be supplemented by various other kinds of information and activities, including online FAQs, interviews with city leaders and one or more town hall meetings where citizens will be encouraged to learn about policy issues and help frame alternative approaches. All of these activities will be reported on and/or provided through OCNN’s Web site, OshkoshNews.org.
In April 2005 Oshkosh voters will—for the first time in almost half a century—directly elect a mayor. This change could be far more than a minor procedural shift as it could lead to significant change in city policies and priorities. Issues such as downtown redevelopment, recreational facilities, tax rates and city service delivery could emerge as factors in the decision that voters make.
In addition certain intangibles will be in play in the election for mayor since the first person to hold this newly re-established post will create precedents for successors in terms of how the role is envisioned and discharged. For all these reasons, it is critically important that voters have access to accurate and timely information about the candidates, their positions and their plans for the future.
Already a large number of citizens have indicated an interest in running for mayor and Common Council. The Oshkosh Community News Network believes that Web technology provides the best methodology for citizens to learn about these candidates.
The Oshkosh Community News Network will be working with the Oshkosh League of Women Voters and the Oshkosh Public Library in presenting VIP. In the coming weeks, a series of special Web pages will be created for VIP.
If you would like more information or would like to participate in VIP, please contact Miles Maguire at oshkoshnews@sbcglobal.net.
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