We have been extremely disappointed, but not completely surprised, by the meager response to the Source forum for political candidates.
Our forum was announced in a front-page article on all three Source publications. It was kept at the top of the local news page for two days to make sure that no one could miss it. We also took the time to e-mail the information to as many candidates and friends of candidates as we could find.
After still not getting the response we had hoped for, we faxed the information again to as many candidates and their colleagues as we could find.
It appears that the majority of candidates for elective office especially it seems the incumbents in the Virgin Islands still believe they can win an election based on pretty posters, good parties and meaningless and misleading slogans and sound bites.
We hope they are wrong.
We hope the electorate will reward those candidates who have offered solid proposals and made their positions clear in writing on the serious issues facing these islands so that they can be held accountable at a later date.
In lieu of numbered seats or districting, this is the best way we know to judge the potential effectiveness of candidates for elected office and, later, their performance as office-holders.
We hope the voting public agrees, and makes this a prime criterion when they cast their votes Nov. 5.
To read the responses of those candidates who have replied click here:.
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
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