The Allegany Observer, http://www.alleganyobserver.com, was born on July 4, 2010 and published its first interview 3 days later. In the first 30 days, 21 interviews were published:
- 11 out of 15 County Commissioner candidates
- 6 out of 9 Cumberland City Council candidates
- 1 out of 3 Cumberland Mayor candidates
- All three Sheriff candidates
The final incumbent County Commissioner is scheduled; The 2 remaining Mayor candidates have scheduled and postponed (yet to reschedule). So far, while only one candidate has specifically declined an interview, the remaining candidates (in the above races) have not responded to multiple email attempts to schedule (note – one candidate has no published email address and attempts to contact have been made through his business website). Please encourage the remaining candidates to participate.
In its first month, the Allegany Observer has received over 5,000 page views by almost 1,000 ‘unique visitors’. Not bad numbers. Most candidates have either a website, a FaceBook page, or both. The power of the internet as a tool for an informed electorate is unmistakable, and savvy candidates, candidates ready to govern in the 21st Century, recognize this.
So far, I’ve been contacted by Board of Education and Delegate candidates who are eager to participate. Those interviews will start soon.
I’d love to interview candidates for both Central Committees, but there are far too many (31) to accomplish before the Primary. Those bodies have a hand in appointing candidates and officials who resign, retire, or die in office – yet with so many candidates, it is hard to know who to vote for. I will be moderating other upcoming forums; perhaps ones for these races can be organized.
Thank you for joining this exercise in Democracy. An informed electorate is an engaged electorate. My hope is that better Government is a result.
The Observer
