What makes a good Candidate?

This week in MY FRIDAY COLUMN I take a look at what qualities and characteristics I would like to see in a candidate for office in the city of New Albany!

WHAT MAKES A GOOD CANDIDATE


Some of the people that we have elected to represent us have disappointed me, not because of things they have done, but for the things they have failed to do.  I want to know that the people that I vote for stand for something, not constantly stand up against everything.

The funny thing is that these councilmen believe that they are doing this city a service by opposing everything, and they have people that back them for this.

First thing it doesn’t really matter what party they represent...Of course in New Albany, the Party of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson is clearly not the same as the party of  Dan Coffey and Steve Price.

One of the tough decisions that you would have to be willing to make is spending people’s hard earned tax money on things to improve our city.  For the last two years this council has debated for months about paving New Albany’s streets.  If there is anything that we should all be able to agree upon is that our streets need paved.   

If you want to argue with me that the roads do not need paved you are either a liar or just ignorant.  This council has control over enough unencumbered funds that we should never have to drive down crumbling streets again.

I would like for a candidate for public office to at least appear to be living in the 21st century.  They don’t necessarily have to be on Facebook all the time or Twitter what they have for breakfast every morning but at the very least you should have an email account that you answer promptly.  If you should have a website, you should make sure that you keep accurate up to date information and if I click on it I should be directed to your site, not Danica Patrick’s.

See:  WHO IS IRV STUMLER?

Now the stage is set for the this year’s primary election which will determine the direction that our city takes over the next four years, including our bicentennial year, 2013.  Most of the candidates on the ballot we know, although there are a few new ones.  Over the next several months we will get to know them better in hopes of making a well informed decision by election day.