Research the Candidates Before You Vote
By Janice Peters
Morro Bay's second primary election date is June 8 and absentee ballots will be arriving on May 10. Given the serious issues facing our city and the varying degrees of experience of the candidates, it is vitally important to do some research and decide what qualities you value in your city representatives before casting your vote. With very few candidates running for Council this year, that election could be decided in the primary instead of November
What are the qualities you look for in a candidate for Mayor or City Council? While we each have some personal preferences, we would probably agree on the value of the following:
Integrity – We must be able to trust our leaders to be honest and truthful with us.
Experience – There are several candidates with no previous government experience, so their business background is important to consider.
Respectfulness – Our elected officials must be able to listen to all viewpoints and diplomatically respond and work for consensus.
Objectivity – An effective elected official must be able to put aside personal viewpoints and support what is best for the city as a whole.
Dedication – The job of a City Council member requires many hours of reading and research in preparation for the many hours of meetings, in Morro Bay, the County, and, for the Mayor, at the state and federal level.
Community Involvement – Being active in the community, volunteering time, and interacting with our residents are important activities for an informed candidate.
A Positive Public Image – As representatives of our city, elected officials should be comfortable with public speaking and be well-groomed, friendly, law-abiding, responsible citizens.
So the challenge facing voters is how to determine which candidates have their desired qualities. Fortunately, there are several options available:
Candidate Forums – The main candidate forum will be held on Tuesday, May 4, at the Vets Hall from 5:30-8:00 p.m., and will be televised live and repeated regularly on Channel 20.
Meet-and-greets - These candidate events are not just for fund-raising (although that is certainly important, as campaigns cost from $5-10,000) but to provide a chance to ask questions of the candidates and get to know them better.
Markets – The candidates often set up tables at the local markets. This is a great opportunity for one-on-one conversations.
Door-to-door Visits – This is a time-consuming activity for candidates, most of whom have other jobs, but it's a demonstration of their dedication to the task that they try to reach you in person.
Websites – Most candidates have websites that give you their personal background and their stance on current issues. Take a look and e-mail your questions or comments.
Campaign literature – It may look like junk mail, but a lot of thought (and cost) goes into this literature, so take a few minutes to read it and use it to compare the candidates and their positions.
What about candidates who decline to participate in the forum and other public interactive opportunities? The very fact that they don't consider it important to let you know who they are and how they feel about the issues should be all the answer you need. Disinterest in the campaign process is an indication of their lack of respect for the voters and the office.
Serving as a Mayor or Councilmember is a major commitment of time and energy and should not be taken lightly, either by the candidates or the voters. Please do your research and vote carefully for the representation you think is best for Morro Bay.
For Peters' own election choices, click here.
Egret and Heron image in banner by Mike Baird. |
