Idaho Statesman editorial page Editor, Kevin Richert, is about to give this little blog a major publicity boost. He picked up on a piece in the Boise Weekly about my media policy of communicating directly with you, my constituents, rather than through the spin of the media. Where did it all get started? Right back at this blog!
Since I posted my first article on here the day I took office, January 12, the media has picked up on two stories that first began right here: whether or not to renew Allied Waste’s trash hauling contract in unincorporated Ada County for ten more years and the fact that CCDC wants to raise parking rates at the courthouse.
It is not my job to sell newspapers. It is my job to ensure you receive accurate, timely information about Ada County government. If I have to take some flak in order to ensure that the real facts and figures get through to you, it’s worth it.
I will gladly do live interviews (i.e. talk radio, live television interviews, as well as shows live Viewpoint and Newsmakers where the full extent of an issue can be discussed rather than “spun” by a reporter.)
I will also answer questions (yes, from the media – even the Boise Weekly despite their routinely inaccurate reporting) right here on this blog.
I am looking forward to being a guest on a call-in talk radio show on KIDO radio, on Saturday, March 7, from 11 to noon, as well as on KBOI on March 26 from 8:30 to 9:05 a.m.
The fact remains that I am committed to openness in government and accurate reporting of the facts, which is why I:
* Have a published phone number, under my name;
* Have a political website, at www.sharonu.com
Ada County issue (and even a few not-so-major issues, to boot) along with my
home phone number and personal e-mail address;
* Participated in twelve public candidate forums prior to the recent
General Election;
* Wrote a “Commissioner’s Corner” column that was published in the
Kuna Melba News and the Valley Times when I was previously in office, and I
am now sending these papers copies of my most relevant blog posts;
* Have this blog on which I am able to communicate directly
with the public regarding county issues of interest; and,
* Have instigated Town Hall meetings that get commissioners out of the
courthouse and into the community to communicate face-to-face with members
of the public. The first is scheduled for March 25. Please see previous post for more details.)
Since taking office, and even prior to that time, I have responded to dozens of constituent inquiries via e-mail and telephone calls. Please keep those phone calls and messages coming; I am here to serve.
P.S. To the Boise Weekly reporter who attempted to hold private conversations with my colleagues and me during our recent meetings, in the future, I would suggest you speak up when the meetings are actually taking place to have your questions answered. Even as a member of the public, I spoke up at Commission meetings, years before I was elected, and then-Chairman Vern Bisterfeldt usually allowed me to ask questions or comment.