The
Annual
ITA Candidates' Forum, 2006!
September 6
was set for our Candidates' Forum, and replaced our regular
monthly meeting. As usual, it was open to the public, who are encouraged to attend and
question the candidates.
Each guest at our candidate's forum receives instructions and a
scorecard of candidates. If they are members of ITA, the scorecard also serves as a ballot
for voting on ITA endorsements. Member or not, we invite comments and all are welcome to
drop their sheets into the ballot box as they leave.
This year we heard from the City Council candidates
the Borough Assembly, and the Borough Mayor candidates. Because we did not have the School
Board Candidates, the forum only lasted 3 1/2 hours.
Each candidate was given one minute for an opening statement, after
which they answered questions. They did not receive "canned" questions, but
took questions from the audience, which is encouraged to participate.
One way in which our forum differs from others is that questions may be
directed at one or more candidates, or the questioner may request that all the candidates
for that seat (or all seats represented at the front) answer the question. There is no
strict time limit set for questions for any particular seat, but when the audience seems
satisfied, the candidates will be given 1 1/2 minutes for a closing comment, in the
opposite order in which they gave their opening statements.
This year we discussed the ballot propositions midway in
the forum. It generally takes about 5 minutes between
groups to switch labels and candidates at the front of the hall. During that time guests
are encouraged to help themselves to refreshments, coffee, and punch, which
members and friends supply.
We ask those who must leave early to please slip out quietly so as not
to disturb those candidates who are talking, and if they are ITA members, to please vote
as much of their ballot as they can and drop it in the ballot box as they leave.
Candidates and their
supporters should be warned: You may not hand out campaign
literature of any kind during our forums. These are forums for meeting and learning
about ALL the candidates in a neutral and non-partisan way, not to push those who thought
to bring brochures, etc. We ask candidates to leave their campaign literature in
their cars to save them and
us the embarrassment of having to ask them to remove it.
The
election for these seats and proposition was
October 3, 2006.
Don't forget, it all
means little
unless you remember to vote October 3!
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