Publishers Note
Commentary by Scot Giambalvo
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Never in my recollection of Harrisburg politics has there been such a buzz about the election of a new City Council, and, yes, a new Mayor.
So, to the candidates and incumbents of this term’s election, I offer an invitation.
The next issue of MODE Weekly will be a “Meet The Candidates” issue. We plan to present our readers with an objective snapshot of the people who want to run their town. All we ask is that the candidates do the leg work. (Typical of us, huh?)
If you’re running and you want free editorial coverage, you’d better be smart enough to reply to this personal invitation in a timely manner.
Here’s what you have to do:
First, you have to answer the following five simple questions:
1. Please tell us about your professional work history and how it will strengthen and enhance your capabilities as a City Council member.
2. Knowing the past plight of our fair city’s Council, what about your personal ethics will contribute to the harmonious and fruitful operation of the Council?
3. Please tell us what makes you the best candidate for City Council, and why?
4. What is your personal agenda in running for City Council? (i.e. what one issue do you think needs to be addressed immediately, and what is your plan once elected?)
5. Knowing that MODE Weekly will monitor your performance and hold you accountable to the statements you make in our publication, what recourse would you deem
appropriate should we catch you lying or welching on your campaign promises?
Second, you must accomplish the following:
1. Submit your answers in a MS Word (or similar word processing format) document.
2. Provide us with a professional (or semi-professional) head shot photograph.
3. Get these items to the MODE Weekly offices no later than Thursday, April 5th, 2001.
Finally, you must be available for an interview if we request one.
Not a lot to ask from a bunch of weekend wanna-be politicians, huh?
Well, I can count on my four-fingered right hand how many candidates will respond. Not only that, I can tell you that I will receive faxes instead of Word documents, I will receive ink jet printer copies of pictures instead of real photos, and someone will miss the deadline and whine about “equal representation”.
Interestingly, I can also tell you that all of the above will freeze in hell before I give them any special consideration or treatment.
It’s funny what people expect to get for free these days, especially politicians. I will enjoy immensely though, documenting the promises of the candidates and then recounting them at the appropriate time.
I think it’s important to have accountability in our local government. Considering the antics and behavior of the City Council-past, it’s probably more important to have good bouncers at their meetings. But seriously, I live right in the heart of Harrisburg and I’ll be damned to see someone I vote onto City Council abuse that position. If you agree, or have information about a Council candidate that should be known, contact me directly.
I hope you find reading this issue of MODE Weekly as enjoyable as we did making it.
Scot Giambalvo
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