The Petoskey Neighborhood Candidate Forum
on Wednesday, September 18th, 2019
If you care about our community, you are invited to join!
You do not need to live in the City limits to join. If you care about Northern Michigan, are interested in meeting new people, and want to learn more please join! We welcome everyone who wants to attend. We have had positive interest from the greater Northern Michigan region. We think this is great!
Please know all are welcome!
It will be held at 1515 Howard Street at the campus of North Central Michigan College (in the Iron Horse Cafe) in Petoskey, beginning at 6:30 PM and ending at 8:00 PM.
You may Submit Financial Support Online
We are looking for 66 people who can commit to $20 to support being a Champion for this event. If you want to support democracy in action please consider donating to this cause.
We welcome contributions from all regions!
For example, if you love Northern Michigan and now live out of state, please consider supporting this great event!
We will have live streaming and invite you to join us from wherever you are!
If you have the resources to be able to be a Champion and help donate to help this community event please see this link for payment: @https://www.empoweringthebest.org/products/forumchampions
The purpose of the Candidate Forum is to give City of Petoskey voters an opportunity to hear candidates discuss the issues of importance to them in this election.
The event is free and open to the public.
We believe it is important that all are welcome at this event! We will not require anyone to pay to enter. All are invited to have their voices heard and graciously welcome all people of varying socioeconomic positions.
The candidates will answer written questions from the public during this moderated event.
City of Petoskey elections are nonpartisan. This forum is being organized and upholding high ethical standards of being an unbiased and impartial format to meet our local candidates.
This event will be a moderated forum.
Specific guidelines for the Candidate Forum are outlined in the enclosed Guidelines (below). Candidates were asked to confirm before Sept. 4th. We want to thank all the candidates and representatives who have RSVP'd!
We have good representation from our candidates at this positive and purposeful event!
We are co-promoting another opportunity for those interested to learn more.
The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting another forum. For those interested, this is a separate and distinct event from this Petoskey Neighborhood Candidate Forum. They will be hosting in early October. Please stay tuned for more details!
We look forward to hearing from you and to your participation in this positive educational event.
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Candidate Forum Guidelines
This forum will follow a nonpartisan, unbiased and impartial format. This event is free and open to the public and the media.
Experienced moderators will organize the forum, prioritize and select the questions from the community, explain the procedures and fair and balanced format to the audience, and introduce the candidates.
The forum will be recorded and the media have been invited to attend.
The moderators will accept questions from the audience.
Stakeholders (psst…that is a fancy way of saying all interested people) will have two opportunities to submit questions to the candidates.
1. Written questions will be accepted throughout the forum.
2. Voters may also submit questions via:
Please submit questions through the contact tab @ https://www.empoweringthebest.org/contact
The first deadline for online submission is Wednesday 9.11.19.
Empowering the Best has extended an invitation and method for all caring folks to submit the questions that are meaningful to them.
All questions will follow an unbiased process for selection.
To further demonstrate the level of respectful professionalism as it relates to hosting a positive, fair, balanced and ethical forum - we are pleased to have a qualified a committee who is responsible for processing and organizing all questions.
For full disclosure, Carla Crockett has recuse herself from that committee as she is an organizer and co-host of this positive, nonpartisan community event. We appreciate the professionalism of those leading this important task!
If you fit those positive and healthy qualities, and are a team player please reach out we would welcome considering you for an effective and healthy leadership to assist with this volunteer role!
b) Text message at 231.753.8141 - will be accepted prior to and during the event!
These will be processed by a fair, balanced, unbiased, and healthy champion who will assist the question selection team.
Any questions submitted via online or text message will be confidential. These options for submitting questions creates an opportunity for voters to ask questions in a more private manner because it guarantees anonymity. We believe it is important to have all voices welcomed, valued and heard. ✌️
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We know that our community has an array of talent!
If you decide you want to share some of your time or talent we have specific tasks that we could use ethical and positive volunteers to help complete. If you have a passion and are able to commit, please reach out to learn what tasks we could connect you with!
Below are some opportunities. Please consider if you may have interest and space to volunteer for one of the specific and tangible tasks below.
Tasks to Organize a Candidate Forum:
X Keep the Forum Non Partisan
X Host a Fair, Unbiased and Positive Event.
X Stay Positive!
X Remember the Big Picture
- Neighborhood Forums are best practice and an important opportunity for communities to raise their voice and have a format to hear from representatives.
X Plan Ahead
X Keep it Fun!
X Recruit and Select High Quality Moderators:
We are humbled and thankful to have two professional and impartial moderators for this event!
We have an ethical and effective committee to support the positive and professional moderators.
Neighborhood Forum Moderators
1. Emily Hughes - If you haven’t yet met Emily - please see more about her professional role @https://landtrust.org/emily-hughes/
2. Jim Vanek - If you haven’t yet met Jim - please see more about his professional role @https://www.charlevoixcounty.org/2017-2018%20Directory%20adj.pdf
Both are positive, intelligent, fair and good leaders who we are lucky to have as year round residents who work professionally in Northern Michigan!
The event planning committee invited these two leaders as moderators because they both embody the healthy and positive leadership that we support for our community.
There is a fair and honest committee supporting the moderators as the questions from the community are selected and offered at the positive and healthy forum.
Thank you to all who have volunteered and committed their time, and talent to this important role!
X Book a Space
- North Central Michigan College, thank you for your support and being a Champion for the cost of renting the room. Thank you for believing in our neighborhoods!
X Stay Positive!
X Be Welcoming at all People!
This is a community-wide event. We welcome all from a wide background. This is a non-partisan event.
X Pay for Space -
Thank you North Central Michigan College and Dr. David Finley for being a champion and sponsoring the full cost of the room reservation!
We appreciate this commitment and support to our community and neighborhoods!
X Fill the Seats - Print Yard Signs, Posters, and get the word out to as many people in the region as we can!
- Be welcoming of all -
Equality is a core value at Empowering the Best. We believe that well organized and caring everyday folks can organize and offer effective platforms for social justice.
Empowering the Best proudly advocates healthy perspectives to support and encourage Equality for all. Creating a culture of Equality isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing. Diverse committees are more innovative and better positioned to succeed according to best practice standards.
We strive to support leaders who reflect the community we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to the table.
There is more work to be done, but with the help of our entire community — our neighbors, partners, and community — we can achieve #EqualityForAll while we are #EmpoweringtheBest.
X Stay Positive!
X Invite the Candidates -
All current candidates and current Petoskey City Council members have been invited to attend. All who have a formal seat at the table will have a seat at our candidate table.
RSVP Information
Yes:
Current Mayor John Murphy (and Candidate for Re-election- Election day is November 5, 2019)
Candidate for Mayor Reg Smith (First time candidate - Election day is November 5, 2019)
Council member Lindsey Walker - Ward 4 (She is serving her first term for Ward 4, next election is 2020)
Council member Suzanne Shumway - Ward 2 (She is serving her first term for Ward 4, next election is 2020)
Candidate for City Council Brian Wagner - Ward 3 (First time candidate - Election day is November 5, 2019)
No:
Council member Kate Marsall - Ward 1
She has served First Ward residents from 1996-2000, and again was elected to serve a two-year term beginning in 2012, 2014, 2016 and again in 2018. Council member Marshall also served a three year term as Mayor from 2001-2003. She is running unopposed this year. Election day is November 5, 2019.
July 2019 PNR article: Council candidates, delegates named in Petoskey ward conventions: https://www.petoskeynews.com/featured-pnr/council-candidates-delegates-named-in-petoskey-ward-conventions/article_34139793-d6e6-5430-ae27-0d35f5ded402.html
No Response
Council member Grant Dittmar - Ward 3
He was first elected to serve a two-year term by Third Ward residents that began in 2012, 2014, 2016 and again in 2018. He publicly indicated in the PNR that he was dropping out of the 2019 City Council race @https://www.petoskeynews.com/featured-pnr/dittmar-drops-out-of-petoskey-council-race/article_cefe0d83-71ab-5d66-a3fd-9878fcc98306.html).
More information about City Council and Important Documents can be found at:
City Council: https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/city_council/index.php
Agenda’s: https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/city_council/agendas_and_minutes.php
Meetings Calendar: https://www.petoskey.us/calendar_app/index.html#Master
Related Council Documents: https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/city_council/related_council_documents.php
Thank you to all who have demonstrated their fair and ethical leadership for our community!
We are thrilled to have such a great and positive responses from our local candidates!
X Reach out to Diverse Organizations -
The city elected positions are non partisan. We are thankful for the diversity committee who has taken the lead on sharing this event with our community.
If you have suggestions for any groups or folks who may be helpful please send suggestions through the contact page. Thank you!
X Stay Positive
X Demonstrate Healthy Leadership
X Select a Format - We are using the time tested format from the League of Women Voters.
X Generate an Audience - Professional printing: Postcard invitations, postage (300), posters (12), yard signs (10).
Thank you to Mitchell Street Graphics for your professionalism and support! (Cost Estimate @ $761.35).
X Offer Childcare - Up to 3 providers for event $50 each = $150.
The planning committee believes that all should be welcomed to this community event.
We welcome families and the next generation of leaders to join in this positive and healthy event!
X Stay Positive!
X Light Snacks & Beverages - We welcome people bringing something to share or may purchase items at the cafe.
X Materials / Waste Free Event: Thank you Lindsey Walker from Emmet County Recycling for committing to champion this cause!
X Invite Local & Regional Media: Our planning committee has invited Petoskey News Review, 7&4, and 9&10.
If you have any other suggestions please send them through the contact page. The planning committee values the press and believe that clear, fair and honest communication are essential qualities to prioritize and demonstrate. We are hopeful for a strong presence from the local and regional media!
X Record & Live stream - to reach a greater regional audience - Thank you to the community members who have committed to champion this component! If you have a strength in this area please send your information through the contact section. We would welcome additional support to help with this important component.
X Stay Positive!
X Safety & Security -
Thank you to our Local Law Enforcement who have been notified & Eleven Series L.T.D. who have agreed to support this event:
Petoskey Public Safety: https://www.petoskey.us/departments/public_safety/index.php
Eleven Series L.T.D. Rodolfo Salinas and Tony Presley Co-Owners: 254.338.3336 & 231.838.5384
___ Connect all Stakeholders and neighbors and kindly request help to support Costs of the Event.
Our planning committee truly believes in the power of Democracy and the value of each of our unique contributions.
The planning committee provided a method to allow contributions to be made by all who value this important cause.
The planning committee has requested (66) caring folks to consider donating $20 to this important community event. If you have the resources to be able to be a Champion and help sponsor this community event please see this link for payment.
There are options to be a financial supporter starting at $10. We are encouraged by the financial support and are thrilled to be graciously accepting many $10-20 donations!
Thank you to all who have contributed! We plan to share all those who were champions to support this community-wide event!
If you would prefer to support with a check or cash, please submit information through the contact tab, and the fundraising committee will be happy to follow up with you!
Link to donate online
@https://www.empoweringthebest.org/products/forumchampions - Total Cost Total : $1547.35.
___Cash and check donations will be available at the event - this will be in a secure
___Express Appreciation to all Volunteers -
Thank you notes, with postage $150, Offer T shirts to wear at event to show who is a helper - volunteering (and serving as Election Day Awareness T shirts) $330.
___Follow Up
X Stay Positive!
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All the best!
Carla Crockett
- Community Advocate - Co-Organizer of Petoskey Neighborhood Forum Event - Co-host of Event -
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If this date doesn’t work for your busy calendar
- you are in luck!
The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce will be hosting another (separate and distinct) Candidate Forum.
When: Thursday 10.3.19.
Location: The Library Conference Center at NCMC
Moderator: Scott Ladeur Political Science Professor at North Central Michigan College
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#democracymatters #nonpartisan #localelections #vote #earlyvoting #absenteevotingstartsseptember22 #electiondayistuesdaynov5 #countdowntoelectionday #showup #community #volunteer #communityorganizing #showrespect #staypositive #behavewithintegrity #healthyleadership #empoweringthebest #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
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Want to Learn About this Stuff?
Please check out some of the following links:
https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/city_council/index.php
https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/elections/faqs.php
https://www.petoskey.us/calendar_app/index.html#Election
https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/elections/index.php
https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/elections/council_ward_map.php
https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/Elections/City%20Convention%20Procedures.pdf
https://www.petoskey.us/document_center/Elections/City%20Ward%20Convention%20Procedures.pdf
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/AVApp_535884_7.pdf
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8716---,00.html
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Wise Perspective
“Every election is determined by those who show up” - Larry Sabato
“The human heart is the first home of Democracy” - Terry Tempest Williams
“Information is the currency of Democracy” - Thomas Jefferson
“I understand Democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong” - Mahatma Gandhi
“Democracy is a charming form of government full of variety and disorder: and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike” - Plato
“An educated, enlightened and informed population is one of the surest ways of promoting the health of the Democracy” -Nelson Mandela
“Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm” -Winston Churchill
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are” - Theodore Roosevelt
“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care” - Theodore Roosevelt
“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em, “certainly” I can! Then get busy and find out how to do it” - Theodore Roosevelt
“Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining” - Theodore Reoosevelt
“There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period” - Brene Brown
“Vulnerability is not knowing victory or defeat, it’s understanding the necessity of both; it’s engaging. It’s being all in” - Brene Brown
“We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to” - Brene Brown
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Surround yourself with people who empower you to become better. -Anonymous
Carla Crockett MS, OTRL
Empowering the Best, LLC
231.753.8141