This is an effort to give people another opportunity to engage in the debate on the issues of the day. Debate is, "to discuss or examine a question by considering or stating different arguments." To ensure the give and take of debate this blog has one rule--Answer a question and you get to ask one. You must state at least one reason to support your position. I hope that through reasoned discourse solutions will emerge.
Friday, August 29, 2008
WARD #1--Questions From the Community
What questions would you like to see the candidates for appointment to the Ward One seat address? Or if you already support one of the candidates--why?
23 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Why are they wanting to run? What will they want to improve in Ward 1?
Why is council limited to those who have stepped forward. Why not do something bold and find someone out in the community that you like and respect - make him or her your new councilmember.
Snyder accepted incentives for his wine shop from the city - now he wants to sit on council, sorry, that looks real bad. The city doesn't need to go back to the "good ole boys" days.
Anonymous Number 4, you don't understand don't understand the basic fundamentals of conflict of interest. If Mr. Snyder were to serve on council, he would be unable to vote on anything relative to his business. Duh! Your "good old boys" slam, particularly since two women sit on council, is unfounded. Also, by your standards, no city resident that owns a business should be allowed to also serve on Council. Perhaps you should consider obtaining a little more knowledge, AND a little more common sense, prior to speaking out in the future.
In reference to the Anonynmous # 4 comment, I don't feel that the reference was to business owners in general or even direct conflicts of interest; rather it was to business owners who have received incentives from this City Council. The concern, ostensibly, is that Mr. Snyder would have the appearance of being too leveraged and in politics, unfortuantely, perception matters a lot. Hence, the comment regarding the perception of the "good ole boy's" days.
Snyder on council will look bad - whether legal is not the point. Your comment about women on council is a non sequitur. Perhaps you don't understand that a figure of speech needn't be taken literally. Your knee jerk response suggests that you may have something personally at stake here. Snyder getting incentives and then serving on council doesn't look good to this voter, and I am not the only one.
A recommendation: I have worked with Brad Ellis and I highly recommend him. He is the most diligent, responsible, fair and wonderful person with which to work. He is an upstanding citizen who cares dearly for his community. I firmly believe he is just the type of person needed in City Council.
I agree with Poster #3--quite a few years ago (approx 20?) counil appointed Dr Wheeler to fill a vacancy. Can we learn anything from that process i.e. picking a stalwart of the community versus anyone who may have an agenda. It is important to stay on the right track and not get bogged down with any personal agendas, and hopefully the interviews will bear this out. What do they each think about the Confed Museum? Could be a huge plus for us and we need to know more as it is outside of the contraversial "incentives" box
It's nice that Brad Ellis has a co-worker that enjoys working with him. Looks like he got everyone in his office to vote for him! I'm sure he's a nice guy but someone that lives in WARD ONE, please tell me, what has he done in the city? Has he lived here more than 3-5 years? Is he truly committed to this community? We do not need another candidate with no proven record of work and commitment to the City. I hope the Councilors will consider that when they make their decision this time.
I live in Ward 1 and I know Brad. He has an extensive professional background and is very involved in the community (i.e. soup kitchen, river clean-up projects, assisting the local refugee population, Serving on St. George's Vestry, active participant in Rebulding Together projects, etc.). I invite you to come out and hear more about Brad's background and PROVEN commitment to our City.
Regarding the votes he has received on this blog: Brad has A LOT of supporters that live in the City who are aware of his involvement within the community and support his candidacy.
Look it should be someone who has lived in the city for many years, hopefully more than 5 or 10, and has perspective. If they had business before council recently, or are involved in programs that in any way absorb/benefit from tax payers and other tie-in programs, they should be disqualified as that is a conflict, period. That may affect TWO or THREE names on the list. Sorry, I don't know Brad.
How many years you have lived in the city is irrelevant to the selection process. Those who have lived here for a few years did so by choice, they made an affirmative decision to be part of the Fredericksburg community and that reflects well on their dedication to the city. Those who were born here or who have deep roots do so by chance, although they have chosen to remain here. The point is that length of time in Fredericksburg is IRRELEVANT to whether someone will be a good councilmember. I am more interested in their QUALIFICATION and VIEWS than their chronology. By the way, exactly how long do you have to live here to be qualified? - 5 years, 10 years, 15 years ... 50 - I think you see my point.
Where do they stand on the Slavery Museum? The Confederacy Museum relocation? The River Walk? Celebrate Virginia & Expo Center? Rehabbing Old Buildings, like Maurye and the burned out condo building? I don't think natural born hometowner vs someone who just moved here is the way to go as the single selection criteria, however I agree that whoever is selected should have no conflict of interest and no personal business before council. To do otherwise is a throwback to the "bad old days" and should be avoided
I just read who Emily said were the three finalists. I hope it is a joke. Which of these is not like the other? How could one candidate who owned a business be eliminated and another be a finalist? This is so corrupt. Matt you have to lobby your fellow members and stop this or else there will be outcry next week.
Look, one of the three needs to focus on the homefront, his marriage, his business, and the like because he has too much on his plate now. Once those issues are addressed he can run for council from ward 1 during the regular election otherwise his personal issues will spill over on city council. as a friend i hope the other members take heed, as he will be right in the future but this is not the right time
State law has prevented council from making a very stupid decision - naming Snyder to the Ward 1 seat. He was the frontrunner, the fix was in. Council willingly chose to ignore his obvious conflict of interest. Maybe someday we will learn more about the machinations that led to his sweetheart incentive deal with the city - wish I could get one. State law has intervened to prevent a foolish mistake that council should have realized didn't pass most citizen's sense of right and wrong.
Talk about dodging a bullet what a #$^%@$ outrage. thank god and all that is right and holy the city attourney intervened. Everyone else seemed asleep at the wheel. That guys is a walking scandal and the posters are right he didn't pass the "small test" why was there such a rush people are now convinced something was up here and they need this answered
I agree with the above. The seven council members should get down on hands and knees to kiss the ring of city attorney Dooley. She prevented you from stepping into a big pile of the squishy stuff!
I live in your ward and this mess has cost you my vote, if you run for reelection. I cannot belive you supported this person to serve our town. This awful trainwreck with the Snyders means I will work to have all of you off council when your terms renew. let the recall petiton drive begin because I think this is criminal
23 comments:
Why are they wanting to run? What will they want to improve in Ward 1?
What are your thoughts on the future of Tourism, the City's #1 industry?
Why is council limited to those who have stepped forward. Why not do something bold and find someone out in the community that you like and respect - make him or her your new councilmember.
Snyder accepted incentives for his wine shop from the city - now he wants to sit on council, sorry, that looks real bad. The city doesn't need to go back to the "good ole boys" days.
Anonymous Number 4, you don't understand don't understand the basic fundamentals of conflict of interest. If Mr. Snyder were to serve on council, he would be unable to vote on anything relative to his business. Duh! Your "good old boys" slam, particularly since two women sit on council, is unfounded. Also, by your standards, no city resident that owns a business should be allowed to also serve on Council. Perhaps you should consider obtaining a little more knowledge, AND a little more common sense, prior to speaking out in the future.
In reference to the Anonynmous # 4 comment, I don't feel that the reference was to business owners in general or even direct conflicts of interest; rather it was to business owners who have received incentives from this City Council. The concern, ostensibly, is that Mr. Snyder would have the appearance of being too leveraged and in politics, unfortuantely, perception matters a lot. Hence, the comment regarding the perception of the "good ole boy's" days.
Snyder on council will look bad - whether legal is not the point. Your comment about women on council is a non sequitur. Perhaps you don't understand that a figure of speech needn't be taken literally. Your knee jerk response suggests that you may have something personally at stake here. Snyder getting incentives and then serving on council doesn't look good to this voter, and I am not the only one.
To anonymous #1- you can see what one wants to concentrate on being on council at http://tinyurl.com/metts4council
I would like to know what type of management experience each candidate brings to the table.
A recommendation: I have worked with Brad Ellis and I highly recommend him. He is the most diligent, responsible, fair and wonderful person with which to work. He is an upstanding citizen who cares dearly for his community. I firmly believe he is just the type of person needed in City Council.
Thanks Brad!
I agree with Poster #3--quite a few years ago (approx 20?) counil appointed Dr Wheeler to fill a vacancy. Can we learn anything from that process i.e. picking a stalwart of the community versus anyone who may have an agenda. It is important to stay on the right track and not get bogged down with any personal agendas, and hopefully the interviews will bear this out. What do they each think about the Confed Museum? Could be a huge plus for us and we need to know more as it is outside of the contraversial "incentives" box
It's nice that Brad Ellis has a co-worker that enjoys working with him. Looks like he got everyone in his office to vote for him! I'm sure he's a nice guy but someone that lives in WARD ONE, please tell me, what has he done in the city? Has he lived here more than 3-5 years? Is he truly committed to this community? We do not need another candidate with no proven record of work and commitment to the City. I hope the Councilors will consider that when they make their decision this time.
I live in Ward 1 and I know Brad. He has an extensive professional background and is very involved in the community (i.e. soup kitchen, river clean-up projects, assisting the local refugee population, Serving on St. George's Vestry, active participant in Rebulding Together projects, etc.). I invite you to come out and hear more about Brad's background and PROVEN commitment to our City.
Regarding the votes he has received on this blog: Brad has A LOT of supporters that live in the City who are aware of his involvement within the community and support his candidacy.
Look it should be someone who has lived in the city for many years, hopefully more than 5 or 10, and has perspective. If they had business before council recently, or are involved in programs that in any way absorb/benefit from tax payers and other tie-in programs, they should be disqualified as that is a conflict, period. That may affect TWO or THREE names on the list. Sorry, I don't know Brad.
How many years you have lived in the city is irrelevant to the selection process. Those who have lived here for a few years did so by choice, they made an affirmative decision to be part of the Fredericksburg community and that reflects well on their dedication to the city. Those who were born here or who have deep roots do so by chance, although they have chosen to remain here. The point is that length of time in Fredericksburg is IRRELEVANT to whether someone will be a good councilmember. I am more interested in their QUALIFICATION and VIEWS than their chronology. By the way, exactly how long do you have to live here to be qualified? - 5 years, 10 years, 15 years ... 50 - I think you see my point.
Where do they stand on the Slavery Museum?
The Confederacy Museum relocation?
The River Walk?
Celebrate Virginia & Expo Center?
Rehabbing Old Buildings, like Maurye and the burned out condo building?
I don't think natural born hometowner vs someone who just moved here is the way to go as the single selection criteria, however I agree that whoever is selected should have no conflict of interest and no personal business before council. To do otherwise is a throwback to the "bad old days" and should be avoided
I agree with the last post number 16. Matt I hope you read this.
I just read who Emily said were the three finalists. I hope it is a joke. Which of these is not like the other? How could one candidate who owned a business be eliminated and another be a finalist? This is so corrupt. Matt you have to lobby your fellow members and stop this or else there will be outcry next week.
Look, one of the three needs to focus on the homefront, his marriage, his business, and the like because he has too much on his plate now. Once those issues are addressed he can run for council from ward 1 during the regular election otherwise his personal issues will spill over on city council. as a friend i hope the other members take heed, as he will be right in the future but this is not the right time
State law has prevented council from making a very stupid decision - naming Snyder to the Ward 1 seat. He was the frontrunner, the fix was in. Council willingly chose to ignore his obvious conflict of interest. Maybe someday we will learn more about the machinations that led to his sweetheart incentive deal with the city - wish I could get one. State law has intervened to prevent a foolish mistake that council should have realized didn't pass most citizen's sense of right and wrong.
Talk about dodging a bullet what a #$^%@$ outrage. thank god and all that is right and holy the city attourney intervened. Everyone else seemed asleep at the wheel. That guys is a walking scandal and the posters are right he didn't pass the "small test" why was there such a rush people are now convinced something was up here and they need this answered
I agree with the above. The seven council members should get down on hands and knees to kiss the ring of city attorney Dooley. She prevented you from stepping into a big pile of the squishy stuff!
I live in your ward and this mess has cost you my vote, if you run for reelection. I cannot belive you supported this person to serve our town. This awful trainwreck with the Snyders means I will work to have all of you off council when your terms renew. let the recall petiton drive begin because I think this is criminal
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