Anything but the issues
So here we sit, a week-and-a-half away from the city elections and what coverage do we have of the issues from our local newspaper? On Friday we have the horserace story about who gave money to who and how much was raised with not a single mention of city finances, streets, the crime issue or development.
Oh, we have an article on Wednesday about water and sewer. Maybe that will give us some insight on the candidate's positions and plans? No, in that article, it appears that The Advocate searched the state to find the Mayor of Lima, Ohio, who disagrees with the selling of water to developments outside of city limits. Of course, the article is really subterfuge for The Advocate's obsession with the Bain-Kraner political donation story. And we don't really learn anything new in the story about the issues facing Newark.
Wait a minute, here is a story that tells us about the Mayoral candidates' positions. Last Sunday. Let's review and comment:
Safety
Diebold - put more officers on the street and set minimum staffing levels. I agree.
Bain - create a new specialized police team to compliment Team Seven -- creatively named Team Eight. Seriously, Team Seven has worked to get to the source of some of the drug dealing and serious crimes in Newark. Bain is to be complimented for its formation but we also need more police officers on the street.
Development
Diebold - develop brownfield sites inside the city. Don't put city money towards a Columbus Crew facility. I remain skeptical of the prospects for these old manufacturing sites, especially given the availability of ready-to-develop greenfield sites throughout the county. I think that the City's resources are better served promoting clean sites we have while looking to annex potential industrial, professional and commercial sites. I agree with Diebold's position on the Crew facility.
Bain - get a large manufacturing facility. Okay, go ahead. But I think we need to maintain a laser-like focus on development of some key sites in the city AND annex some developable land.
Streets
Diebold - Pave more streets.
Bain - Pave more streets. What both candidates know and should have pointed out is the fact that our street and infrastructure problems can be laid at the feet of former Mayor and current At-Large Candidate, Frank Stare, who let our paving program go and neglected his key responsibilities because he was too busy having birthday cards, condolences and other congratulations sent out to potential voters. Don't get me started on Frank Stare. Go here and here.
I did like the Voter Guide but is there a good reason that none of those positions have been pursued in stories? Let's have a little less fundraising news and a lot more issues news.
Oh, we have an article on Wednesday about water and sewer. Maybe that will give us some insight on the candidate's positions and plans? No, in that article, it appears that The Advocate searched the state to find the Mayor of Lima, Ohio, who disagrees with the selling of water to developments outside of city limits. Of course, the article is really subterfuge for The Advocate's obsession with the Bain-Kraner political donation story. And we don't really learn anything new in the story about the issues facing Newark.
Wait a minute, here is a story that tells us about the Mayoral candidates' positions. Last Sunday. Let's review and comment:
Safety
Diebold - put more officers on the street and set minimum staffing levels. I agree.
Bain - create a new specialized police team to compliment Team Seven -- creatively named Team Eight. Seriously, Team Seven has worked to get to the source of some of the drug dealing and serious crimes in Newark. Bain is to be complimented for its formation but we also need more police officers on the street.
Development
Diebold - develop brownfield sites inside the city. Don't put city money towards a Columbus Crew facility. I remain skeptical of the prospects for these old manufacturing sites, especially given the availability of ready-to-develop greenfield sites throughout the county. I think that the City's resources are better served promoting clean sites we have while looking to annex potential industrial, professional and commercial sites. I agree with Diebold's position on the Crew facility.
Bain - get a large manufacturing facility. Okay, go ahead. But I think we need to maintain a laser-like focus on development of some key sites in the city AND annex some developable land.
Streets
Diebold - Pave more streets.
Bain - Pave more streets. What both candidates know and should have pointed out is the fact that our street and infrastructure problems can be laid at the feet of former Mayor and current At-Large Candidate, Frank Stare, who let our paving program go and neglected his key responsibilities because he was too busy having birthday cards, condolences and other congratulations sent out to potential voters. Don't get me started on Frank Stare. Go here and here.
I did like the Voter Guide but is there a good reason that none of those positions have been pursued in stories? Let's have a little less fundraising news and a lot more issues news.
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