Looking to find more information about candidates running for township trustee? Curious about local issues? The answers to these questions can often be found by simply turning on a computer.
Internet Web sites are providing area residents with important information on candidates for this year’s Aug. 3 primary election and Nov. 2 general election as a crucial tool to a successful campaign.
‘An Internet presence can do so much for somebody,? Luc Poirier, Slick and Bubba’s Elite and Expeditious Websites co-owner, said. Slick and Bubba’s is a company that builds and maintains Web sites.
Poirier believes this year’s presidential election sparked the increase use of political Web sites all the way down to the local levels.
‘It’s a trend that this presidential campaign started,? Poirier said. ?(John) Edwards got the ball rolling on that.?
In addition to background information on the candidates for a personal feel, many campaign Web sites display information on related experience and stances on important issues.
Slick and Bubba’s maintains a Web site for Dave Wagner, a current Independence Township trustee who is running for supervisor.
‘He (Dave) had specific issues he wanted to focus on with his platform,? Poirier said of the candidates wishes for his Web site. ‘He wanted to tastefully set up a site so we weren’t mudslinging.?
Larry Kozma, a candidate running for a district judge position with the 52-2 court in Clarkston, used part of an existing Web site for his law firm to inform potential voters more about himself and his desire for the job.
‘It’s another avenue of information for voters to talk about my background and qualifications,? Kozma said.
One of the benefits of an Internet presence is the quick response time for both candidate and resident.
‘If someone wakes up at 3 a.m. and wants to know something, there’s an Internet presence to Dave Wagner so that they don’t have to wait until 9 a.m. the next day for a response,? Poirier said.
Web sites allow residents to learn more about volunteering for a campaign or issue and to donate money to a specific cause.
‘If I wanna give him (candidate) $50, boom, you’re done,? Poirier said.
With the ability to quickly add or modify information, Web sites can contain the latest news on an event or candidate appearance.
‘You want to keep the lines of communication open and the Internet can do that,? Poirier said. ‘That’s the wonderful thing about the Web: it’s so dynamic, you could change things at the drop of a hat.?
Keeping voters informed is something district court judge candidate Kelley Kostin found valuable.
Kostin established a Web site for herself when she ran for the judge position in 2002. She noticed since then the use of the Internet for her law firm has exploded and has a campaign Web site currently online.
‘I think people like to go on to utilize Web sites to find out more,? Kostin said. ‘I thought it was important to get one up.?
Maintaining a Web site requires a lot of time and attention to detail, according to Poirier. When originally designing Wagner’s Web site, partner Brad Saeger started off by doing research on what made a successful political site. This is the company’s first venture into campaign Web sites.
‘It takes a good amount of time to get involved,? Poirier said. ‘This is our (company’s) way of helping get the right people in the right places for all of us.?
Navigating the Internet to learn more about local officials is in reach for all residents, Poirier believes, no matter how much someone may know or not know about searching for information.
‘The immediate area (Clarkston) is a progressive community and I believe the residents are Internet-savvy on some level,? Poirier said. ‘I don’t think it would draw any negatives.?
Independence Township Supervisor Dale Stuart will soon launch his own campaign Web site as a way to give greater details on complex local issues. The site will have an e-mail component to hear public comments.
‘There are a number of things for people who want more depth,? Stuart said. ‘I could talk about more issues in detail.?
For those interested in finding out more about this year’s various elections and candidates, selecting a Web search engine, such as Google or Yahoo, and typing in the candidate’s name can bring up related Internet sites.
‘I think this is a period of enlightenment,? Poirier said. ‘What could be wrong with that??
Happy with his presence on the Internet for this year’s election, Wagner was optimistic about his Web site and decision to start one.
‘The Web site’s the thing,? Wagner said.