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<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> When I was the Town Crier editor in April 2005, I produced the first ever Candidate </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Forum for the Town Crier. It allowed each candidate to put forward their views in a </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> limited and fair way. The forum was widely praised as informative and helpful. </FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> However, a council member expressed deep concern that such a forum should </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> be authorized by the council.</FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Our town code says "It shall be unlawful ... to use any town property or facility in </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> connection with any election except as authorized by the Mayor and Council."</FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Does this apply to the Town Crier - or to TownTalk? </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> That is, are they a "property or facility?"</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Perhaps not by the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law would have the </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> council authorize them for use in elections.</FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> So last month I introduced motions to establish a Town Crier Candidate Forum</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> and an Email List Election Policy. </FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> The Town Crier Candidate Forum will likely be discussed at the work session </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> this Monday, March 26 and will come up for a vote on April 2. (Both meetings </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> start at 8 pm in Town Hall).</FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> I wrote into the Crier legislation a detailed set of rules to ensure that the forum </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> would be open and fair to all qualified candidates and so that everyone would know </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> the rules in advance and thus avoid last minute confusion, surprises or manipulation. </FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> The proposed legislation will be printed in this month's Crier and in case you </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> are having trouble falling asleep it is attached for your reading pleasure.</FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Sadly, the Email List Policy was rejected by the council in the March meeting </FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> (although I suspect that the topic will come up again for further debate Monday). </FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> As always, your comments and suggestions are welcomed.</FONT></div>
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<FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> </FONT><div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Rob Oppenheim</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Ward One Councilman, Riverdale Park</FONT></div>
<div><FONT FACE="Arial" SIZE=3> Home Office: 301 779 1745</FONT></div>
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