This past Saturday, I found myself immersed in non-partisan democracy, for the first time in my fifty-one years.There was a moderate turn-out today, and I think maybe publicity (or lack thereof) may be to blame. At any rate, it was quite a positive experience for all, including me.
I didn't even know about, much less than I was going to this event, until last night! My friend, Chad Gesser had sent me an invite, via Twitter. I had to look it up, just to see what he was talking about!
There were, according to organizer estimate, about 350 in attendance, down from about 600 in 2007. There appeared to only be one tv news team covering, WTVW FOX7 Evansville, which was also disappointing.
The tables were all designated as focus groups, and through table discussions, and electronic voting, agenda items were developed. From that point, it became a very organized process, with a facilitator, and a designated laptop pc operator that captured ideas, and entered them into the America Speaks database. Pretty slick operation.
The four of us, Myself, Chad, Jessie Schartung, and Michelle Montalvo were live-blogging/tweeting photos, and comments throughout. We basically just did our best to blend-in, and try to report without getting in the way. Then, two days later WFIE-14 files this report. By the time 14's story ran, it was ICE COLD. In my humble opinion, if they can't put a reporter on it for two days, leave it.
