vrs
Member
Reged: 04/20/00
Loc: Allen, Texas
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The loneliest people in Allen are election judges.
There are over 50,000 people registered to vote in the Allen ISD. As of this afternoon - 4 days into early voting, the only Saturday of early voting and the one long day of early voting past, only 57 people had cast ballots in the school board race.
Someone with a big family can swing the race at this point. Is this how you want decisions made?
There is a lot of talk in general and on this message board in partcular about elected officials being accountable to the voters. But, honestly, who are the voters? More to the point, where are the voters?
To be honest, it is very discouraging to stay motivated - not become incredibly jaded - in the face of such overwhelming apathy. I try to keep in mind that the constituents I serve are mostly not old enough to vote. But the electorate must do its part. Can you folks not find five minutes sometime over the next two weeks to swing by City Hall and vote? Is it really too much to ask?
rant off
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When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
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civicminded
Member
Reged: 04/24/02
Loc: Lone Star State
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Like a line in an old movie, "You ain't forward...". So go right ahead and tell us like it is. Thanks for your service, and reminders. And I'm thinkin' (full Moon helps me think) posters herein are some likely voters. So, we'll see if the over 2000 here compares with the Turnout. 
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tamud1
Member
Reged: 11/05/04
Loc: Allen, TX
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Victoria, you are correct. I apologize for not having voted yet. Both of my boys are grown and out of college so sometimes I don't pay much attention to school board elections. I will cast my ballot on Monday. Thank you for the job that you do and for reminding us of the election.
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MsAlyce
Member
Reged: 04/03/04
Loc: Allen,Texas,USA
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Maybe people like me have a very busy Saturday. Maybe they had to go watch their granddaughter play soccer in Royce City. or watch their son-in-law race IMC car in Greenville, or go do the shopping for their business and last but not least they had to ride the mower and mow the playground and surrounding yard.
I will be voting I just didn't do it Saturday.
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Before & After Activity Center for Children 972/390-7162
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Capt. Jack
Member
Reged: 11/10/04
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How does one find information on the candidates? Do they have web sites? Are they speaking to the public some where? I can�t seem to find any information.
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vrs
Member
Reged: 04/20/00
Loc: Allen, Texas
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I am reproducing my post from the school thread here. Mr. Shafranek also has a brochure that he mailed out to approximately 2000 households - the voters who have been active in city and school elections in recent years should all have received them - and he is making the rounds of the civic clubs.
Mr. Buchanan has not filed financial reports. I therefore must assume he is not doing much in the way of brochures, web sites, etc.
Quote:
It is not seeing a lot of press, but there is a contested race for the School Board. Steve Shafranek is being challenged for his Place 2 seat.
The Dallas Morning News solicited information from all candidates. Mr Shafranek, along with the two unchallenged incumbents, responded to the candidate quiz. His challenger declined to participate.
All the responses are on the DMN website.
http://www.vgt2004.org/a-dallas05/
If this link does not work, go to www.dallasnews.com and select "Opinion" from the lefthand column. Scroll down just a tad and look for the checkmark by Election '05. There is a "candidate quiz." I had to select Marty and Cindy twice (i.e. compare them to each other) to get their information to come up. I did not have to sign in with ID and password, though.
Early Voting begins April 20 and continues through May 2. Election Day is Saturday May 7.
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When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
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Capt. Jack
Member
Reged: 11/10/04
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It seems to me that the more visible and accessible a candidate makes his or her viewpoints available to the public should result in a greater voter turn out. Many times they point out issues that you never considered or even know existed.
I understand candidates speak at civic meetings. Like myself many people may not be able to attend. Newspaper coverage is minor, or basically non-existent. Mailings would be good. Web sites would be good. I don�t know the answer to this problem but it is hard to vote when you do not know what the candidates stand for. I personally don�t believe you vote just to say you voted. Maybe these candidates can make their viewpoints more accessible. Are candidates for public office allowed to speak in a public park on a Saturday or Sunday?
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civicminded
Member
Reged: 04/24/02
Loc: Lone Star State
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All true...about what Candidates should do. The problem always, in communities, is the part potential voters play. It's the voters who must find out what they want to know about a Candidate.
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denisew
Member
Reged: 02/18/02
Loc: Allen, TX
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I voted at around 10:30 this morning. I even wore my "I voted" sticker today so people would be aware of the early voting. I even had someone ask me, "Oh, is there an election?" There were five other people who had voted before me this morning. Hopefully, voting will pick up.
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vrs
Member
Reged: 04/20/00
Loc: Allen, Texas
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186 people by the end of the day last Friday.
Early voting continues today and tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election day on Saturday 7-7. 
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When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
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sco
Member
Reged: 10/26/02
Loc: allen,TX USA
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It is interesting how some people don't get out and vote in local elections but they are religious about the national elections. I read an article one time that talked about the fact the local politics have a much more profound effect on people's everyday lives than national elections.
Susan
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Susan
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Gary
Member
Reged: 06/25/01
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Low voter turn-out is a prime example why the Texas Legislature is trying to move local elections from May to November. Get out and vote!
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vrs
Member
Reged: 04/20/00
Loc: Allen, Texas
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217 voters when the polls closed on early voting Monday. Today is the last day of early voting. 8-5.
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When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
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vrs
Member
Reged: 04/20/00
Loc: Allen, Texas
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Early voting is now closed. 310 voters out of 50,000. That's about 6/10 of one percent.
Saturday is the last chance - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Last year, we had an alcohol proposition on the ballot. Over 2500 people voted early (5%) on the way to a total turnout of 10%.
Thanks to those who have already voted. I am sure the rest of you will be there Saturday.
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When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
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civicminded
Member
Reged: 04/24/02
Loc: Lone Star State
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That's the power of positive thinking there vrs, haha. And I'm sure you're right...all our onliner friends will surely be there. Mine is done, early, as I'll be at the Family reunion thingy. I'll remind my Scouter friends, as the Scout Show is saturday as well. And one of my Museums has their Muster saturday as well, woo-hoo!
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V-Girl
Member
Reged: 07/12/01
Loc: Allen, TX, US
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I voted! Mr. Shafranek even stopped to talk to my 5 year old and asked her where she went to school. He seemed impressed that I was voting even though my children are in private school. The man talking to him seemed annoyed and told me he was asking because he's running for the school board. I told him I knew that and it does matter to me since I would use the public schools if ever I couldn't afford the private school. 
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Will work for shoes (& purses)!
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civicminded
Member
Reged: 04/24/02
Loc: Lone Star State
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V for Victory V-Girl. Good that you voted, have an interest in your wee ones, and stood up to "The Annoyed One", haha. 
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vrs
Member
Reged: 04/20/00
Loc: Allen, Texas
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Thanks for voting V-girl. The schools affect the entire community - whether one has children enrolled in the district or not.
You are to be congratulated for setting an example of responsible citizenship for your daughter.
My 18 year old son - who goes to a vocational school in Grand Prairie - still legally resides here in Allen. He drove 45 miles today to come to town and vote. Bonus is I get to have him here on Mother's Day.
I hope your Mother's Day is wonderful as well.
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When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
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V-Girl
Member
Reged: 07/12/01
Loc: Allen, TX, US
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Thanks VRS and Civic! And VRS- Happy Mother's Day! (and if you hear a little 5 year old ask if it's over yet during Father's homily tomorrow do me a favor--don't look back and giggle!  )
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Will work for shoes (& purses)!
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vrs
Member
Reged: 04/20/00
Loc: Allen, Texas
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Not fair!!!! You can't do that and not introduce yourself tomorrow!!!!!!!
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When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this - you haven't.
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