Harry Hipps informed me on Sunday afternoon that there was not going to be a debate held involving the candidates for the two ward seats contested in this years Hickory City Election. He stated that there will only be a forum sponsored by the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce at the Catawba Country Club in which candidates from throughout Catawba County will basically meet and have a chat with Chamber of Commerce members.
I didn't believe this was true and I thought it was all a misunderstanding. Well Harry called me back on Monday Morning and informed me that his initial understanding was correct.
Two years ago I went to an actual debate that was held at the Chamber of Commerce when Brad Lail and Danny Seaver were challenged and there was an audience and it was open to the public - Bruce Meisner wasn't there, because he wasn't challenged. All of the candidates made opening and closing statements and people were allowed to ask questions and the candidates answered the questions and it was reported in the Newspaper. It was called a forum, it was advertised to the public, and it could not be construed as anything other than an actual debate. The place was packed with every seat taken and some people having to stand. How would this time be any different? I bet more people would show up this time.
This thing being set up this go around is not conducive to finding out where anyone stands on anything. Every candidate for every race in the county is supposed to be there and it only lasts two hours. So that means there are supposed to be 50+ candidates confined to a 120 minute time period to discuss issues. You know, that is hardly enough time to sneeze much less talk about the real issues this area faces. Why would anyone from Hickory need to know how someone from say Catawba feels about an issue?
This is just a Good Ole Boy dog and pony show, where people who know one another, from the clique, are going to stand around have cocktails, nibble on some snacks, pat each other on the back and tell one another how great they are -- and it is appropriately being held at the Country Club.
That type of event has its place, but it is no substitute for a debate. Debates, and discussing issues, in an open setting before the public at large is what this country was founded on. I'm sure you read about the Lincoln-Douglas debates when they used to actually teach U.S. History. Like Mayor Wright said at the Patrick McHenry town hall meeting, "Let's show them that we can do things right in this community." Amen!!! I agree 100% - A discussion of the issues with proper decorum. Isn't that what America is all about?
This is just a sad situation. Harry Hipps, Hank Guess, and/or Larry Pope deserve to be heard by the people of this community and not by methods that carry prohibitive costs (ie TV, Radio, and Newspaper Advertising). Jill Patton and Z.Anne Hoyle have had years of representation on City Council to let us know where they stand. Do these challengers, for those positions, not deserve a two-hour public forum to compare and contrast what they have to offer versus these incumbents, especially in the serious times that we are living in.
Is this all a set-up? Are the Powers That Be, in this city, trying to keep this election under wraps, just to ensure that extra level of control of outcome? It would take some truly small-minded people to think that such a form of governance, as this, could be effective and not have negative consequences over the long haul. Is this part of the "All of One Mind" strategy?
Harry is seeking alternative methods to discuss the challenges that our city faces and how he would address these issues. He challenges Mrs. Patton to a discussion of the issues anytime, any place, and anywhere. He stated to me that he is going to get his message out one way or another. He would like to be able to do it in a traditional manner, but now he may have to go to truly alternative means. Chut-Oh.
Harry Hipps for Council - 21st Century Leadership for the People of Hickory!!!
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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3 comments:
The answer I was given when I asked about why we are having no debate was that there were a lot of candidates and there was no time to organize multiple debates. First, the number of candidates has been known since June. If Hickory was able to change Patrick McHenry's town hall meeting to a larger auditorium and fill it in ONE DAY, I don't believe we couldn't have a debate set up in 5 months.
Leaders around here say they want an open government and citizens to participate but when it comes down to it they are willing to protect the insiders interests at the cost of the citizens. This is part of why we are where we are as a City, and they still don't understand that top-down, Soviet style economies don't work. Sad.
If the town halls didn't show them that the public is engaged and wants to make some real progress I don't know what will. It's too bad personal interests trumps the public interest.
This is a sad commentary on our town and our region. I know the Chamber is struggling just like many businesses and I appreciate their effort, they are compelled to do something for the whole county and that spreads the event pretty thin. If there was a newspaper or TV station in Hickory one would think they would want a political event to cover but alas we have neither. Since this is our reality and since it is very expensive for a candidate to produce their own media what is the answer? Can you have political change without effective political campaigns? Hmmmm.....
Why can't the stage be set up like they do for Hickory Alive and let's have a candidate forum.
Heck under those conditions even the Mayor and Sally can say their piece, but then they need to get out of the way and let the candidates answer some questions from the audience.
Would WHKY and the Hickory Daily Record not be willing to advertise this as a public service message and gesture of good will? Would it not be good for downtown businesses to have people congregate like they do for Hickory Alive for this type of Town hall meeting? Why is this not feasible?
Like Harry stated above, if the McHenry Town Hall could be done on such short (24 hour) notice, then why couldn't this be done, when we still have five weeks until this election?
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