HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 05 12 Mail: League of Womens Voters of Seminole County RECEIVED
League of Women Voters
of Seminole County MAY 1 2 2010
P. 0. Box 160394 CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS
Altamonte Springs, FL 32716 -0394 OFFICE OF THE CI CLERK
(407) 339 -9266 Fax (407) 772 -6678 e/, IU
http: //lwvseminole.org
May 6, 2010
Honorable John Bush
City of Winter Springs
1126 East S. R. 434
Winter Springs FL 32708
Dear Mayor Bush,
Expectations are that turnout in this fall's elections will continue to rise, following the trends begun in
2006 and 2008. Florida's high profile race for the U. S. Senate is already attracting national attention
and no doubt the gubernatorial race will as well as November approaches.
Unfortunately, local races can be overshadowed by these up -ballot contests. Voters can find it difficult to
cast an informed vote without an active outreach effort.
In an effort to promote more informed voting at the local level, the level which impacts people's lives
most directly, the Seminole League of Women Voters is offering to facilitate candidate forums in all
seven cities.
This letter is to ask if Winter Springs is interested. The League will staff the forum and cooperate in
publicizing it. The city will provide the venue, encourage participation and cooperate in publicizing it.
Attached is the format we propose to use, which has been developed over several years of doing forums.
If the city does wish to sponsor a forum, we would like to set a date as soon as possible, since we
anticipate a busy election season and a crowded fall calendar. Please let us know your preferred date by
May 24 (Memorial Day) if your city wishes us to provide this service, replying to
carolej.gilbert@,gmail.com or by phone to 407 - 339 -9266.
As you know, the League of Women Voters' core mission is "to promote political responsibility through
encouraging informed and active participation" and we look forward to working toward this goal with the
City of Winter Springs.
Sincerely,
Carole Gilbert
Chair, Voters Service
Leaps of Women Voters of Seminole Connty
A non-partisan organization promotingpolitical rerponsibility
tbrongb informed and active participation of citizens in government.
moderator.
[d] Questions will rotate through the candidates in seated order. Each question
will be asked of each candidate.
[e] Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to the question. A yellow
caution card will be flashed at the 1 minute mark, at the 30- second mark and a
red STOP card will be flashed at end of the 2 minutes. Timekeeping and cards
will be handled by LWV members.
This format will allow for approximately 10 to 12 questions, depending on
transition times. The question period will end at the moderator's discretion for
the forum to end on time.
[Doors open 30 minutes early for candidate meet & greet, literature tables etc. ]
FORMAT: Meet the Candidates Candidate Forum
Prior to starting the Candidate Forum: Selection of candidate to speak first in the
introduction statement and selection of candidate to speak last in the closing statement:
League will prepare beforehand "X" "straws ", one that says first opening statement, one
that says last closing statement, and "x" will be blank. Each candidate will draw one
straw for the determination of the two positions. Subsequently the remaining candidates
will be called on in the alphabetical seated order.
1. Welcome by the host — approx 2 minutes
2. Introduction - LWV- Seminole President, information about LWV Seminole County
and introduction of League moderator.
3. Explanation of Forum procedure and introduction of candidates — League moderator
(approx 3 minutes). The audience will be asked to not to applaud in the interest of time.
4. Candidate response format:
[a] Candidates will seated in alphabetical order.
[b] Please see above regarding selection of the candidate to speak first. Each
candidate will have 1.5 minutes to introduce himself and identify his
qualifications. League respectfully asks that the candidates NOT use this time to
thank the host, the audience, or us in the interest of effective use of time.
[c] Questions from the audience will be solicited in the half -hour preceding and
during the forum and will be turned over to League members (2) to be screened.
The purpose of screening is primarily to avoid repetition but questions directed to
a single person will also be screened out. Questions will be sorted according to
topic and the best - phrased, most succinct question on a topic will be passed to the
moderator.
[d] Questions will rotate through the candidates in seated order. Each question
will be asked of each candidate.
[e] Each candidate will have 2 minutes to respond to the question. A yellow
caution card will be flashed at the 1 minute mark, at the 30- second mark and a
red STOP card will be flashed at end of the 2 minutes. Timekeeping and cards
will be handled by LWV members.
This format will allow for approximately 10 to 12 questions, depending on
transition times. The question period will end at the moderator's discretion for
the forum to end on time.
[f] Please see above regarding the selection of the candidate to speak last in the
closing statement section. Each candidate will then have 1.5 minutes for closing
remarks.
4. Forum will end promptly at "x" p.m. (or slightly earlier). The host will thank and
dismiss the audience. Candidates are asked to pack up their materials promptly so the
building can be closed for the night as soon as possible.
Additional information:
Candidates will be seated in alphabetical order beginning on the audience' far left on the
dais. Placards for each candidate's name will be provided.
LWV will have an information table.
Candidates should take all information away with them immediately following the forum.
If you have any questions or concerns, or you feel that a potential issue has not been
addressed, please contact me as soon as possible.
Carole J. Gilbert
carolej.gilbert@gmail.com
office 407 - 260 -2409
cell 407-221-5096
Chair Voter Service
League of Women Voters of Seminole County