Ballarat 2008 Local Elections.

[kyzen]

Hey Guys,

Thought I would let you know about a good mate of mine running in the local elections at the end of November. His name is Jon, Jon meet LANX, LANX meet Jon, now the formalities are over, check out his bio! (http://www.vic.greens.org.au/vote-green/2008/ballaratcc/jon-stanger)

He's interested in the same things as me, self sufficiency, growing your own food, and chickens :P So if you're of voting age and want to keep the planet inhabitable, look for Jon Stanger and Belinda Coates on the ballot :tg

Cheers,

Kenny!

/me stands back to watch the vigorous political debate unfold!

[SPOT]

this should be good!

i was going to vote for the current bushranger-esque mayor or mr corrupt (vendy/ all the others)

they are the only people i know - i dislike politics and the lower the level - the more it irks me.

why do we need elections? as we are soon changing to communism, with the incoming filternet* and all.

*copyright Liam Reale Pty Ltd.

[kyzen]

Filternet aye... nice ;) Well hopefully the greens get behind the no clean feed movement... I mean, if you don't want filtered internet, you MUST be a paedophile or a terrorist right? Slippery slope my friends...

[Eoin]

Damn, I thought you were finally throwing your hat in the ring Kenny
Until that day comes, go greens!
Also I like my internet smooooth and filtered, and 86% slower..... mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[jonS]

Hi there! Thanks for the plug Kenny!

Ballots are arriving in mailboxes now for the Ballarat City Council elections. Belinda Coates and myself (Jon Stanger) are Greens candidates in the Central Ward. Greens have a good track record on local government - Bendigo has had Greens mayors for 3 years and it's still standing! We are especially focused on good governance, including financial management, quality services for those who need them and a clean local environment.

The 'Clean Feed' on the other hand - here's an example of the hard work that elected Greens do on important issues (on your behalf). Senator Scott Ludlam, Greens Senator for Western Australia has been seeking answers (and getting spin) on the Australian Governments plans to censor the internet.

Check out this link (http://www.greensmps.org.au/taxonomy/term/203/all) for some great info, evidence of the good work Scott's been doing and a great bunch of reasons to vote Green! Just like Scott is looking out for you in the Senate, Belinda and I are seeking your support (and vote) so we can represent you on Ballarat City Council.

Check out our website (http://www.vic.greens.org.au/vote-green/2008/ballarat/) for more about us, including contact details if you've got any more questions.

Vote Green, keep the Great Firewall out of Australia!

Cheers,

Jon Stanger

[kyzen]

So guys, if you want to help force the government to keep their clean hands of our filthy internet, get behind Jon in the upcoming elections!

[brendon]

Bring on the censorship I say!
We need to be told what websites to enjoy and we need to be kept away from those bad ones. They're just bad.. While we're at it I think games need to be less violent, there's so much violence in them. Our children should not be subjected to these things. It's been proven that video games lead people to distructive behaviour.

[kyzen]

Our children should not be subjected to these things.

Won't somebody think of the adults!!!

[mudgie]

Well, any man who has not 2 but 3 chickens gets my vote!

[Joshu]

So hang on, by electing one local member into city council, we can put an end to all this talk about censoring my internet?
sounds completely solid :/
You've got my vote!

[kyzen]

So hang on, by electing one local member into city council, we can put an end to all this talk about censoring my internet!

I'm going to say 'Sure, why not...™', I know it doesn't have the same ring and Obama's 'Yes we can™' but it's a start! ;)

[kyzen]

Well, any man who has not 2 but 3 chickens gets my vote!

Yeah, especially as they were presents from me! Chickens rock ;)

[jonS]

Yeh I've got Kenny to thank for the chickens (and probably about 250 eggs). Just found out my neighbour across the road has 6 chickens too, so Eureka St may soon be taken over by chickens.

Talk about promises you can't keep! :) - No, I can't stop the censorship, but the Greens may be able to and I'm an endorsed Greens candidate. It's just an example of what we stand for and the work we can do if elected.

How is everyone going figuring out who all these candidates are? You can check out the BREAZE (http://www.breaze.org.au/index.php?option=com_cont ent&task=category&sectionid=11&id=108&Itemid=87) website for a Q&A with candidates on environmental issues. Also, the Courier website has videos (http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/ballarat-city-council-candidate-videos/1356340.aspx) which are a bit of laugh.

[FROSTY BoSkitzo]

I find it however ironic that i get fined if i dont vote.
yet i only just found out about the vote.
on a website that's more than likely going to get banned by the government who'd fine me....
and the winner is?
So politics are a fantastic source of entertainment for me.

[Joshu]

yeah. when're we supposed to be voting?

[radass]

The Greens rule.

[Zender]

In other Election news, if anybody gets the North Ward election package they'll of course be voting for the only Starmaster Ranger Wizard running.

If not..
http://vec.vic.gov.au/ballaratcandidatestatemen ts.html#-945993776

[jonS]

Hi, just wanted to say thanks for the support - I'm very grateful. With something like 450 votes or close to 3% for my first time running there's a lot to be positive about. More exciting of course was Belinda Coates, the other Green candidate in Central Ward who got more like 2200 votes (around 14%). This was second on primary votes in a race for three places. Unfortunately she missed out narrowly after preferences (around 50 votes would have done it). So close. So thanks again.
Also - wanted to make you all aware that Stephen Conroy, the Honourable Minister responsible for the rabbit proof fence to make our Internets safer, is giving blogging a go - check it out here (http://www.dbcde.gov.au/communications_for_busine ss/industry_development/digital_economy/future_directions_blog/topics/we_hear_you). And have your say on ISP filtering!
Also, check out GetUp's campaign to 'Save the Net' here (http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/SaveTheNet/442) if you haven't already.
Cheers,
Jon

[dominatrix]

i would have voted for you jon, in the south ward though. i voted for old des hudson, probably the only honest person on the previous council