City Elections
24 Hours and Counting
By Kirk Siegler, 11-07-05
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The future of Missoula will be decided Tuesday.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit melodramatic. But the race for the Garden City’s next mayor and a handful of council seats, could have serious impacts on growth policy, open space and transportation.
John Engen and Lou Ann Crowley are vying to take over for departing Mayor Mike Kadas. Both come to the ticket as members of the current – and some would say fractured – city council.
It’s been a somewhat uneventful race for mayor, since the field of candidates was narrowed in September. Crowley and Engen are friends, and when debating, they’re mostly cordial with one another. Attacks or jabs are never personal.
At one forum moderated by New West’s Courtney Lowery, Crowley did take Engen to task for voting in favor of the controversial Hilton sign proposal that some said was in violation of the city’s ordinance. Engen says his vote was legal, further noting the sign (that is already up) isn’t even as high as other existing, as he put it, “eye sores� on North Reserve.
Throughout the campaign, the Missoulian has offered a comprehensive look at where the candidates stand on other controversial topics, like infill development, extension of the city’s sewer system, and a proposal by five Montana cities to dive into the public power business. The Missoula Independent has an entertaining Q & A with the candidates, including the losers from September’s primary. And, in case you missed it, or perhaps you need a refresher, here are our profiles of both Engen and Crowley.
Polls open tomorrow morning at seven. We'll have live updates and results on our Missoula page throughout the evening.
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Comments
It's not like voting is difficult or time consuming. Sure, a person has to do a little work learning the issues and where the candidates stand on them. The act of voting is about as simple as it can be made, though, and there are no insurmountable barriers to exercising one's voting rights.
Some will say that the candidates do not make enough of a difference, that local issues are not affected if voters stay away from the polls. If that is true, then we are experiencing a downward spiral that will leave only the connnected, the powerful and the priviledged running the show. Or is that who has already taken control?
There are two ways to look at our democracy; one is cynical and one is hopeful. It is easy to observe some of the things government has done poorly and be jaded and believe that voting doesn't matter, that things will get screwed up anyway. The other way to look at it is with hope and appreciation that some of our fellow citizens are willing to step forward and give of their time and energy, (and at some sacrifice to their personal lives) to undertake the public's business. Engage with them in whatever way you can to contribute your views so that government remains by the people, for the people and of the people. It all begins with voting.
Voting ought to be something we do with pride and a genuine sense of participation in our government. There are many ways each of us can add to the importance and success of this and every Election Day:
Register! Voter registration is quick and easy and although it is too late to vote on November 8, it is not too early to register for the elections which will occur during 2006. Go to the Missoula County Courthouse at 200 West Broadway, second floor in the Annex and the Elections Office will help you out.
On Election Day, make a date to go to the polls with friends and family members.
Check with your neighbors to see if anyone needs help getting to their polling place.
Parents, take your kids with you when you vote so they can learn and value this fundamental part of citizenship at an early age.
College students, Missoula is your home (at least for a while)and we need to have your participation, too.
Wear your "I Voted" sticker with pride.
On Election Day, all voters are equal. No matter how wealthy or poor, connected or powerless, young or old, each voting citizen has one vote equal to the vote each other citizen. What are you going to do with yours?
The candidates for mayor and for city council have made themselves amazingly available - at forums, at the Farmers Market, at many civic functions, and by going door-to-door. They are still energetic and excited about the voting tomorrow.
All of the candidates have proven responsive to the concerns of the city's residents, and as a result the city is much clearer about the choices we face.
I feel proud of our democracy at work!
http://www.missoulanews.org
Please vote, Missoula!
On the other hand, I'm looking forward to seeing some of those other candidates win tomorrow, including Bob Jaffee in Ward 2 and Marilyn Marler in Ward 6. It's going to be good for everyone to see the changing of the guard.
I plan on checking in throughout the evening, so feel free to attempt to sway me for either John or Lou Ann. Both are good people. That, I know....