Politiking Windsor’s Blogosphere
We knew this time would come.
Over the course of the past two years, Windsor’s blogging community has blossomed from a small handful of niche focused “Blogger” sites to the abundance we enjoy today, complete with prize give-aways and advertising space. The evolution has been remarkable.
The range of flavours has also been fulfilling. From knitting to Canada’s military culture and everything in between, most interests have been represented one way or another.
And most have naturally touched upon political commentary, critique and analysis. It’s to be expected that most bloggers, already some of the cities most active and engaged citizens, would be anticipating this years municipal election.
We’ve been amongst the first to call for the heads of elected representatives in the past. You know the ones: those dinosaurs touting big-box development over local economic development and sprawling raised-ranch housing over urban infill. We’ve burnt effigies to them in the past and will probably hold more candlelight vigils in the future. I can’t see this changing.
But what about this election? What is ScaleDown’s role in determining the outcome on October 25, 2010?
Unlike the major media outlets, the CRTC isn’t forcing the bloggers to commit equal air time/print space to all the candidates. Unlike the non-profit sector, we won’t lose our tax-exempt status or funding if we support one candidate over the other. It’s the wild west in the blogosphere with no rules for acountability at all (sure, I guess someone could get sued for libel if we went too far, but we haven’t witnessed that yet and do not know what “too far” is) which is why you, as a blog reader, must read everything with a very critical eye. You can be certain that most bloggers are already actively engaged in someone’s campaign, and their bias will spill over into their blog posts.
I’ll tell you right now, I am working for two (so far) candidates at both the council and school board levels, as it is my right and responsibility as a citizen of this city/country. If you want to know who I’m throwing my support behind, you’re going to have to learn that information outside the digital confines of ScaleDown, ’cause I’m not telling you.
No, it’s not a secret. I’m not ashamed of who has earned my financial and volunteer support. It’s just that I do not want to use this website as a soapbox for my personal beliefs. ScaleDown’s a “Blog Posse” and we have to be respectful towards one another. Plus, everything considered, we’ve worked hard for the past few years establishing SD as an action-focused forum and we’re not going to risk the network we’ve built to take a gamble on the outcome of an election. We will work with all interested parties, election winners and losers, and do not want to alienate anyone.
Personally, I guess I’m a little disappointed. For years, we’ve been working for this moment, believing that this online community we’ve built and nurtured would play a pivotal role in governing our fair city. To a much smaller degree, it probalby will. We have worked tirelessly to bring Windsor out of the electoral dark ages it has been mired in for thirty years with the successful adoption of the ten ward system. This single issue has proven the power of the blogs, as it would never have happened without our continued effort and we’ve overwhelmingly honed our lobbying skills. The bloggers notched a “Win” in their column!
Yet today, we find our allegiences stressed and our dreams of field a municipal “slate” of progressive campaign alliances throughout the city, changing the political landscape to the one we’ve dreamed of for years, to be a bit naive. Some blogs have come right out endorsing certain candidates, some have sensured their authors because they are known to be working on certain campaigns, and there have been authors trolling other websites anonymously leaving negative comments. I guess, at the end of the day (or in this case, campaign period) it is my hope that the allegiances we have taken such care in nurturing doesn’t unravel because of what could be considered crass “partisianship”
So, is there any hope for the bloggers and their online communities playing a pivitol role in the rejuvenation of our city?
Will competing egos wage war in certain wards at the expence of real progress?
I guess time will tell…
Post Feedback
Welcome back Chris, I’m going out right now to get a calf for the return of the prodigal son.
Hey, I haven’t endorsed any candidates yet and was thinking of remaining issue oriented but I don’t know how it would be possible to hide disdain for certain candidates stances on issues and commendation for others.
I doubt its a secret that I’m torn between 2 of the 3 ward 3 candidates and probably would be 3 out of 3 if I knew them all more.
I dunno, I guess you try to be issue oriented as much as you can to stay above the frey. I doubt anyone will come out of this looking better. Even if we hide our support for some candidates, it will be easy to deduce by our criticism of statements of some of the others.
Tricky situarion
Reminds me of a question at a Washington campaign school conference.
True or false. 9 out of 10 political campaigns will use negative ads.
……..
False - 10 out of 10 will
Who’s running anyways? Is there a website somewhere listing the candidates?
Yup - here you go, SBW:
http://www.citywindsor.ca/003338.asp
Well Glory Be! And Praise the Lord! A dead man is walking —a–writing!
I, as News director of Scaledown don’t plan on writing or posting news about the election or profiles of those running, unless it is a city wide issue(s) that falls within the philosophy of this blog and if I do, I will make every attempt to be fair and balanced, and not focus on any one candidate over another in my news blog, that is not what this blog is about. But Eddie’s and that of city councillors track record over the last term can be open game because it is already public knowledge and a matter of public record.
We at Scaledown can not avoid this election, even if we bend over backwards. We have been critical of this city and its minions over policies and planning, we have led or participated in actions that to some might appear hostile to the status quo as in change for changes sake. We have and still do present different views of this city from our perspective and will continue to do so, that is our raison d’etre - a better city.
This a very crucial election for this city, some may not think so but we at Scaledown fought for along with others for the new ward system as a means of getting better representation for our populace in a more localized manner. We have to support our actions but how-to is more poignant question, without destroying this blog.
If Edgar is running, his election platform and his past accomplishments or the lack there of, will determine how this election is focused. If he is not going to run for a third term, then it is a new ballgame and the platforms of the those that do run for mayor can be fair game for this blog, maybe with interviews or such but in a neutral way. But to be a sounding board for every candidate, I personally don’t think so.
My thoughts and opinions.
Oh! Welcome back Chris! How long?
Chris I will answer these two questions if I can.
So, is there any hope for the bloggers and their online communities playing a pivitol role in the rejuvenation of our city?
Absolutely! We are seeing it now with our incumbents, somewhat getting what we have been saying for the last few years. There may not be as many candidates fielded as wanted (lose full-time jobs and/or professions might keep people away from a “part-time” job with full-time hours). But the change is coming albeit slowly.
Will competing egos wage war in certain wards at the expence of real progress?
Yes. I think we may get votes split and the incumbent may run up the middle. With the new 10 ward system we are going to have pissing matches between Kings/Queens of little feifdoms. I don’t think much will get accomplished in the next 4 years. In fact I see the city getting splintered and fractured moreso because of the new ward system.
I may be wrong but egos grow quickly in this city. And if the past is any judgement I may be right on point. If that is the case then we as citizens must make it loud and clear it will not be tolerated in the next election.
However, it those elected are of the same page and understanding, real change and progress could be made.
I am hoping for the latter.
I was told at the meeting with the BIA and the summerfest people, the summerfest people actually brought a printout of Scaledown discussion forum
Wow.
Mark 519-982-8451 [email protected]
Sorry for the transgression with this post, but it addressed an issue that was getting to me a bit. I promise, from this point on I will be focusing on the core mission/vision that SD has established for itself.
Bringing in a printout of a SD discussion? I wonder what it was used for? Oh to be a fly on the wall at that meeting.
Chris, since you are a co-owner of this blog, it wasn’t a transgression and what you said had to be said. We must keep defining our purpose and vision/mission statement, so that others, our friends, our readers and us who contribute understand that Scaledown serves our city and its citizens, rather than a specific person(s).
I suspect that most of us and Chris has personally confirmed for himself here, have or are close to, to throwing our hats into the ring, not to run but to support a candidate(s), I know, I’m about to, because this is the election that we have been waiting for and took action to create. And as much as it is tempting to use this space to advance ones’ candidate and election platform, I caution prudence in doing so, there will be enough personal blogs and websites out there to do that.
I will patrol this website for what we at Scaledown consider to be inappropriate replys or postings and I encourage the other administrators to do so.