The internet can facilitate unexpected and fascinating connections.
For example, during the recent mayoral campaign, I had been hearing various things about "Cicero Dan" (Dan Proft) who was said to be a media adviser or consultant to Brian Krajewski. About ten days ago, my curiosity got the better of me and I typed "Dan Proft" into Google and that quickly led me to Urquhart Media LLC
What I discovered soon thereafter was simply astonishing. Seriously, I mean astonishing.
In a posting titled "The Gavel" (see below) I expressed my desire that Mayor-elect Sandack extract the best aspects of Mayor Cheever's legacy and also extract the best aspects of Mayor Krajewski's legacy and blend those elements together with Ron's own personal commitment to open collaborative government. Thereafter, a commenter at Elaine Johnson's DGreport.com has challenged me to identify elements of Mayor Cheever's legacy. This is not a task that should be undertaken with an off-the-cuff posting, however I would say that a steadfast commitment to "good government" is one very real component of that legacy.
Continue reading "Betty Cheever's legacy - Part One (liquor)" »
This is an open thread to discuss what priorities should the new Village Council adopt after they take office in May of 2007. A few thoughts are set forth in the poll in the left sidebar.
Discuss.
Back on March 7, 2007 (seems like forever, doesn't it?) I sent invitations to the six council candidates and two mayoral candidates to offer a "free blog" for their campaign purposes. In retrospect my plan was not as useful as I had hoped.
In any event, I will be closing down those blogs to prevent further posting of comments or articles however any blog that has original content submitted by a candidate shall be preserved and archived in a form that shall remain accessible to our readers. I will update this post and provide links on how to locate those archives if desired.
This is a first step towards a spring cleaning to improve the web site architecture.
Ron Sandack's platform includes this:
Transparency Through Technology
Another priority of mine will be to get better information to the public - Transparency through technology. While some progress has been made, the Village's website can be better designed and structured making it user-useful for the residents. Simple elements like a site and record wide search engine. I want to include a searchable database of the entire Village budget and all contracts. Residents deserve easily accessible on-line records to disclose all political donations made to elected Village officials. Interactive zoning maps and easily found and understood information concerning LPDA and Village storm water management guidelines. With some easy adjustments our Village website can be a true repository of useful and timely information - inclusive of background information - making it possible for more citizens to better know and understand their government. Also, I want to implement a downtown Wi-Fi region to make our downtown a place where business feels welcome.
And here is a recent quote from State Senator Kirk Dillard:
Macomb Journal by Patrick Stout/Journal Correspondent
Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 10:38 AM CDTMACOMB - "Republicans believe the state budget should be posted on the Internet for seven days, for the people to read, before it's voted on," state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale, told a record crowd of 220 at the McDonough County Republican Central Committee Lincoln Day Dinner on Friday.
Looks like a trend may be developing. So lets get that village budget on-line and made searchable as soon as possible after the mayor and council begin their upcoming terms.
I also support a community wi-fi project, something that can very possibly done without spending tax dollars. More on that to come.
Photograph by Ken Rathje and posted with permission. Click image to enlarge. Updated with my comments below.
Raw totals:
Bruce Beckman 5688 votes for 19.33% or 2nd place
Geoff Neustadt 6110 votes for 20.76% or 1st place
Stan Urban 4693 votes for 15.95%
Sean Patrick Durkin 5046 votes for 17.15% or 3rd place
Mark Thoman 4056 votes for 13.78%
Christopher Lavoie 3791 votes for 12.88%
Of note: My on-line poll accurately predicted the three winners.
Krajewski 3702 votes being 33.72%
Sandack 7266 votes being 66.18%
Kirk Dillard cannot be a happy camper, tonight.
what matters are the number of people who support you.
