All good ideas start in a bar
Somehow last nights Mayoral debate at the Dive Bar in Worcester actually happened. By 7pm tech issues with the audio and three cameras were worked out by Duncan Arsenault. Kaz Gamble was on hand to capture video and audio. Mike Benedetti had come through with an extra camera from WCCA . And Andrea Ajemian, Scott Zoback and Chris Kanaracus were all ready to unleash the fury of a thousand angry suns on the would-be Mayors. It really was a beautiful thing. Sure the night was goofy, full of clichés and there were no revolutions to be had, but for me that was the point. Present day Worcester has allowed itself to compartmentalize politics in a way that keeps it separate from everyday life; I feel like a little bit of that wall came down last night. So thank you to everyone who made this happen; the bar owners and staff, the moderators, the candidates (especially Mayor Lukes who blew off a previously scheduled fund raiser to be with us), the local press for helping legitimize something they could have easily ignored and most importantly the room full of Worcester voters who came down to drink a few beers and listen to what the candidates had to say.
And here’s Jeff the Taxi guy’s take (great meeting you Jeff)
photos courtesy of Duncan Arsenault
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4 Responses to “All good ideas start in a bar”
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I think you hit the nail on the head. This is the kind of open, honest discussion that is needed in Worcester to help people understand why they need to be “putting something in” to politics in order to “get out” what they want.
If you don’t vote, you don’t have any right to complain.
Keep it up.
B, I’m really glad you all did this, thank you. Honestly, can’t one of them just answer a damn question without all the crap? All of their words made my head hurt and no one answered my question to my satisfaction. Alex makes a good drink and the night was a pretty good time. Oh, I do know who I am voting for, this sealed it.
Absolutely, positively, …and most definitely, this event marks a milestone for the rise of Worcester’s online community from under the radar.
Brendan, Yu Da Man!
I agree that this was a great event, something that should be done on a regular basis. Though, there is a City Hall website that has links to each councilor’s email, there is a mayor’s office, a city manager’s office, and a city councilor’s office. People should be encouraged to explore City Hall and call or email their elected representatitives. Better yet, people should be encouraged to get involved with Citizen’s Advisory Committees to learn how dysfunctional City Hall operates.