The Candidate Forums...

I've now attended three forums, but before I discuss them and some conclusions, here are links to interviews with the candidates and  local forum video from  BTV10:
Print:

• Cascadia Weekly Interview with the Mayoral and County Executive Candidates
• Bellingham Herald Election Questionnaire
• Whatcom Watch Election Edition 
• Candidate Forum on Human Services

Media:

• League of Women Voters Candidate Forum:Includes discussions of State Initiatives and Amendments as well as the Whatcom County Charter Amendment .Held on Oct 15, 2011.
• Human Services Candidate Forum:Includes races for Sheriff, County Council, County Executive, Bellingham City Council and Bellingham Mayor. Held on Oct 12, 2011.
• League of Women Voters Candidate Forum Bellingham Mayor, Bellingham City Council, and Port Commissioners held on Sep 29, 2011.

The Human Services, Transition Whatcom, and Whatcom Progressive Solidarity Forums were vastly different structured forums: different formats, time limits, content. But all three offered excellent information on the issues and the candidates.  With the exception of the Human Services forum, these debates were not well attended. And that is the single biggest observation I have taken from my participation.  There will some number of forums yet to come, with the WWU forum and another League of Women Voters forum happening this Thursday evening, October 2oth.

I won't make any comments on the forum material or the candidates at this point, only to say that the print and especially media above is well worth watching.  Seeing the candidates answer questions in person is really, really important.  It gives the viewer not only a feel for the candidates but a feel for the issues and problems of local government.  Important facts are disbursed that are not easily available elsewhere.  It bothers me that local government is not given more attention by many of the professionals, students, and activists that inhabit this county and city. I know it is hard to make the debates. We all have families and jobs.  But you are missing out if you do not make a point to go.  We will not make any changes in our country, local or otherwise, if we don't start occupying our government. Now is a really good chance to hear the uncensored grist of those who work for you at a local level.