We were really chuffed to see on the VentnorBlog Forum that VentnorBlog’s Ventnor West 2007 Town Council election coverage has inspired our US cousins to follow suit and go ‘all out’ in their coverage of their forthcoming elections.
You will remember back in December last year, Simon and Nigel visited all five candidates and filmed question and answer sessions, which we then broadcast through the Blog. We also provided a discussion board on the VentnorBlog forum which was particularly active and gave all readers an idea of each candidates views on issues important to the town.
On election day, there was a higher than average turnout (even given the terrible weather) and Debby Robinson won the vote to become the latest councillor for Ventnor West.
Tomorrow on Tuesday 13th May, Ventnorians in New Jersey will go to the polling stations to vote for their preferred candidate. Below is the first of many videos available online and it’s encouraging to see how active their discussion forum is on this subject too. Active interest in democracy appears to be spreading.
Interestingly, the editors of the Ventnor, New Jersey’s blog approached candidates from both ‘sides’, but only one side accepted the offer of coverage. We’re guessing that they’re kicking themselves now.
It’s interesting to note that one of the central changes that the US Ventnor want to implement is to make it clear how the councils money is being spent, so the public understand that best value is being attained.
