Democracy Forum in ITowns

Upcoming events offer info on political peeps and process
By
Melissa Pionzio
on October 2, 2008 5:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you are unsure of what politicians represent you in the Middletown area or what their political views and platforms are, let me tell you about two upcoming events that will enable you to meet those individuals who are running for office in the upcoming election, hear first-hand what they have to say, ask them a question or two and maybe learn a few useful things about the political process.

The first is a Political Forum hosted by the North End Action Team on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Green Street Arts Center on Green Street. The event is part of NEAT's voter registration campaign.

Izzi Greenburg, executive director of NEAT, told me the featured panelists will include State Senator Paul Doyle, Common Counselor, Grady Faulkner, Rich Lion,of the CT Libertarian Party and Ken Hiscoe, former district director for Nancy Johnson. Mayor Giuliano will give opening remarks.

"The goal is to educate people about the political process and help them understand why civic engagement is important for everyday people,"Izzi said. "It is important that residents know who they are voting for and why."

The forum, she said, will not be a debate, but a conversation about civic engagement and the political process. But the part I like the most is the way NEAT is getting local kids involved. Their Teen Dreams Society, which is a youth leadership program, will be doing voter registration and help to moderate.

Perhaps there are a few future politicians or civic leaders in the making here?