| Local politicians peddle platforms at county fair |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN Sentinel County Editor | ||||
| Thursday, 02 August 2012 10:51 | ||||
Meanwhile, the politicians try to not cross the line between "accessible" and "annoying." "It's like running the gauntlet," Wood County Juvenile Court and Probate Judge David Woessner said of the stretch of fairgrounds where the political parties sit. "Some want to talk to you," he said of the fairgoers. But others can be seen veering to the far side of the roadway to avoid the politicians. However, to elected officials and wannabes, the fair is a once a year opportunity to reach otherwise elusive voters. "You get a lot of traffic," Woessner said Wednesday evening. "It's important just to be visible and make yourself accessible." Many of the politicians try to not accost potential voters. "We don't impose ourselves on them," Wood County Commissioner Jim Carter said. "We're not here to spoil their night at the fair." But this is the time of year when votes must be harvested. "I'll be here everyday," Carter said. "You meet a lot of people you only see once a year." Neither political party is above gimmicks and glitter to lure in potential voters. The Republican booth featured Ronald Reagan memorabilia, a Kroger gift card drawing, a water fountain and fans to cool down hot fairgoers. The Democratic booth, though less busy than their opponents', featured free popcorn, coffee, water and the chance to win an American flag. Sandy Tolbert, who was staffing the Democratic booth, estimated one out of 10 people stopping by the building were really interested in politics. The other nine - "they come in for the free stuff," she said, smiling. Fairgoers accepting all the freebies could leave quite weighted down. "You could stock up on paper products for year," Woessner said. But name recognition can be the key to getting elected - as evidenced by candidate names plastered all over T-shirts, stickers, ballpoint pens, yard signs and notepads. The notepads seemed to be particularly popular among candidates this year. "People can actually use it," Carter said. "And once in a while, they may even remember whose name is on top of it." Kelly Wicks, candidate for state representative, was trying some less conventional ways to promote name recognition. His promotional material included buttons and temporary tattoos. "Broad identity is the key," he said.
Wicks fielded concerns about the economy, education funding cuts and the loss of TARTA services in Perrysburg. "People want to talk," he said. Other candidates heard concerns about water and sewer services, building inspections, taxes, auto titles, foreclosures and mega dairy farms. Fred Keith, candidate for county commissioner, said people often want to talk about issues beyond local government, such as the national economy and presidential race. "Even if it's not something you can do something about, people want to be heard," Keith said. And the fair provides a great opportunity to share political views with the voters, he added. "As a middle class person, you're interested in their middle class problems," he said. Wood County Treasurer Jill Engle doesn't plan on spending every day at the fair this year, since her campaign as an unopposed candidate is a less demanding. "I'm kind of low-key," she said Wednesday as she sat in the Republican booth. Besides, she already has the name recognition challenge beat. "When 68,000 tax bills go out with your name on them, you get a lot of name recognition," she said. Many of the candidates at the fair seemed to realize they were walking a fine line between being open and being obnoxious. "You don't try to be too overwhelming," Wood County Auditor Michael Sibbersen said. Wood County Recorder Julie Baumgardner said she makes an effort to stand in the political booth rather than accost people in the parkway. But she knows the fairgrounds is where she has to be this week. "I'm here everyday," she said. "It's where you meet the rural vote, the southern vote. You can't go door-to-door out there." Wood County Clerk of Courts Cindy Hofner was one of the Republican party "hosts" Wednesday evening. "You can do all the door-to-door you want, but this is where you meet the rural people," Hofner said. Wood County Commissioner Tim Brown, a candidate for state representative, also knows the value of this week. "I think it's very important to be here," he said. "Everybody is casual. There are no shirt and ties, and people feel they can come up and talk to you." Brown did admit, however, that when he isn't running for office, he often stays off the political parkway. "I try to avoid us, too," he said, smiling. Some fairgoers appreciate the chance to see their elected officials in person. "I think it's really a good opportunity," said Mary Reynolds, of Wayne. Some take the time to find out more about the candidates. "That way you can ask them questions, so when election time comes around, you know where they stand," said Susan Orwig, of Bowling Green. Others are selective in where they direct their attention. "We really tried to avoid the Democratic booth," said Mary Reardon, of Woodville. "We're Republicans." And to others, it was little to do with political parties, they just prefer to focus on the fair. "A lot of time we avoid this stretch," said Charlie Bechstein, of Bowling Green. "But they're here if somebody wants to talk to them." |
Front Page Stories
| BG redistricting lines blurred 05/22/2013 | MARIE THOMAS BAIRD Sentinel Education Editor 
A map shows the proposed boundaries for the 2013-2014 school year. |
North Baltimore residents protest removal of 125 trees 05/22/2013 | JORDAN CRAVENS Sentinel Staff Writer  NORTH BALTIMORE - A group of village residents are concerned their utility bills will [ ... ] | Other Front Page Articles | ||
Comments
We are there through the end of the Fair, including a visit from the Vice Presidential candidate, Judge Jim Gray on Saturday.
This will be a first for the Wood County Fair, as no higher than a Senate or Congressional Candidate has attended the Fair.
It would be a first if it was a mainstream party. It's fitting that the libertarians are relegated to a second tier location at the fair.
Did you know that one of the only parties to have growth over the last four years in membership was the Libertarian Party? Did you also know that the DEmocrats and Republicans have continued to lose membership?
I would suggest reading articles related to isidewith.com. With close to 2 million people taking the quiz, the overwhelming majority side with Gary Johnson, Libertarian for President.
This is very telling of how mainstream the LP is, and how we relate more to the average voter than the other two parties.
Unfortunately, the other two parties continue to put road blocks up to prevent people from knowing more.
The second tier location was a mistake. Last year, when we were even less known, we were on the same path as the other political parties.
As for the condescending comment and advice on where I spend my time educating people to this notion of liberty... If the two parties didn't collude against us, pull favors, results would have been noticeable not just on "forums, but on political row.
Our deposit was made according to guidelines set up by the fair board. We paid our money, and filled out all forms accordingly.
Through a mishap with the fair board, our spot was given to a different vendor. We worked with the fair board, to have a spot that would still give us exposure. Two spots that they wished to give us were right next to the Republican building, and the Democrat building. Out of respect for the other parties, I declined those spots.
Please do not assume you know the facts.
Further, we have multiple events every month, have a solid online presence, and have members who are vocal at local councils and even county wide.
Further, we have local candidates, and we grew by almost 100% in membership last year according to state registration laws.
Thanks for the conversation Bob, please understand, we are doing great work, and more people have joined our party in the last year than the Republican and Democrat parties combined.
Our volunteers have worked very hard, and our time is by far more spent in outreach in the community than on forums or county fairs.
RSS feed for comments to this post.