Electronic communication has brought so much change to our
lives that it is difficult to comprehend. You can find out almost anything with
a quick Web search. Yet, even with all of the wonder associated with smart
phones, computers and hundreds of TV channels it still feels good to sit in a
room filled with people from our local communities who want something that
electronics can't provide them: an up-close view of the candidates who are
running for city council in Maple Valley and Black Diamond.
Your Greater Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce
is sponsoring three candidate forums this fall. The first two have already
taken place, on Sept. 29 for Maple Valley City Council candidates and on Oct.
13 for Black Diamond City Council candidates. The final forum happens this
week, when candidates from both councils will appear at the Chamber's monthly
membership luncheon on Wednesday at Lake Wilderness Lodge.
Why would the Chamber host candidate forums? As an
organization whose mission is to advocate for business and economic
development, the Chamber has a keen interest in knowing what is happening in
city government. But it goes deeper. The Chamber is made up of citizens who
live and work in the Maple Valley-Black Diamond area. This is home; our members
want to know who their elected officials are and where they stand on local
issues that affect us all. If the Chamber did not provide a public forum for
local political candidates seeking office, who would?
The Chamber is not a political action committee. We sponsor
candidate forums because we believe people have a right to know what their
local candidates for public office say about issues that affect our
communities. We provide the forums as a public service and we are privileged
and proud to play a role in the democratic process.
The Chamber does not endorse candidates. We will take
positions on broad policy issues but we don't dabble in elections. We do ask
questions and seek information from candidates. We greatly appreciate the
willingness of this year's city council candidates to answer our questions and
those from the audience at the forums. We all benefit from an open exchange of
information and ideas.
We also applaud the people who stepped away from their
electronic communication tools for a few hours and became active participants
in our democracy by attending these candidate forums. There is nothing better,
and healthier for our society, than people gathering to talk about the things
that affect their lives.
Added on 10/14/2011
Filed Under
Black Diamond News,
Chamber Events in Review,
Maple Valley News,
President's Message by Chamber blog
