First off, I was actually pleased that Dean Kallenbach responded to the 
questions and participated on the list.  He deserves credit for that, 
even if you don't agree with his responses and even if you question the 
source.  It's unfortunate that, once the candidate participates, he is 
roundly and disrespectfully questioned about his participation.  Megan 
Thomas is right to say that the responses to Dean Kallenbach's 
participation will be cited as examples of why not to participate on the 
list, particularly if you are in an extremely close race.  Though I 
would add that I'd like to see more candidates "mix it up" by e-mail (on 
this list and others) and take the disrepect respectfully by dishing it 
back with constructive input (that's what an officer-holder does day in 
and day out).  Why fear an e-mail list when you can pick out the 
legitimate points in an otherwise disrespectful post and respond 
constructively to those?  After all, these are city council and other 
municipal races, not the presidency or other high-falutin' races that at 
times require "handling" by campaign managers (just so I'm clear, I'm 
truly not making any implication here about any candidates for 
office--just that ultimately it would be nice if candidates participate 
more directly in the future).

Just so this post and thread doesn't turn into a discussion about the 
list (a no-no), I'd encourage folks to go to the Sixth Ward Forum 
tomorrow night (October 25) at the Whittier Community Center.  Ask Dean 
Kallenbach and Dean Zimmermann the questions that are burning in your 
gut at that forum.  Anybody have the time of that forum?

Gregory Luce
N.Phillips

Megan Thomas wrote:

> Both Fred and Jonathan's responses will be saved by campaign managers to
> explain why they don't want their candidates to respond or participate on
> this list. All it is is a situation of damned if you do damned if you don't.
> 

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