April 17, 2005
Request For Comments On Proposed 'Charter Review' Weblog
Knowledgeable And Substantial Contributors Needed
This post is to open a preliminary discussion on a special issue-specific group weblog we are pondering. We'd like to get a sense of potential interest -- both from readers and possible contributors.
Since we know that Mayor Tom Potter intends at some point to call for a Charter review process, we are considering the assembly a small group of people interested in and engaged with such a discussion to become authors on a special Communique-operated site devoted to the topic.
For our part, we're obviously most interested in the debate over Portland's commission form of government, but there are any number of other matters that will arise during any official Charter review.
Here at Communique, we'd like to get a jump on the debate, which came up again in the most recent edition of Willamette Week.
If we go forward with this project, we are going to be fairly selective about choosing the participating authors (although of course the reader comments will be open to anyone, as they are here) and we'd like to pull together a group which includes both your "average" local blogger to knowledgeable community leaders.
So if you're interested in the Charter review issue and believe you have something of substance to contribute to the debate as it unfolds, please either post a comment to this item or send us email describing what you believe qualifies you to become a participating author. Note: You don't have to agree with our own positions (on matters such as commission government, for example) to be considered.
In the event there isn't sufficient interest, or we're not satisfied (in our subjective judgement) with the range of applicants, we'll simply discuss the matter here on Communique itself as would have been the case anyway.
We hope to make a final decision whether or not to go forward with this special project at some point in the next two weeks, so we can get started right away. So please offer any comments, questions, or suggestions you might have.
Comments (4)
The One True b!X on 18 Apr 2005
For what it's worth, the proposed site has been designed and built, and a domain for it secured and set up. All I need now is a small but well-rounded set of contributors.
Isaac Laquedem on 18 Apr 2005
I'd be interested in contributing.
Jessica on 16 May 2005
I hope you generate interest in this debate. I think proposals to change the City's commission form of government need a lot of careful thought. the commission form creates balance that doesn't exist in the strong mayor or city manager form. Holding commissioners accountable as executives of bureaus creates more responsible governance. But, enough for now. I'd like to participate. I don't know if I'm qualified to "write." Just wanted to put in my yes vote for the site.
allehseya on 17 May 2005
I'm interested in an overview of some of the other topics that the group weblog would be addressing alongside the commission form of govt. as I may be interested in being considered for involvement.