A primary is a good idea in this case because there are so many candidates. There will be 9 to 11 candidates for 3 seats. A primary would remove 1/3 to almost 1/2 and bring the field down to a number that can be investigated more in depth. Think back to the last few elections, think about the forums and how long it took for each question to be answered. I believe the rules at the forum gave each candidate 60 seconds to answer a question. With 10 candidates, that is 10 minutes per question. Since a forum lasts about an hour, that is only 5 questions (with an additional 60 second opening statement). Drop the field to 6 and you can get 8-9 questions in the same hour. While this may not seem like much of a difference, it does give more insight into the candidate. I think a primary, with enough information on the candidates ahead of time, would be a great idea this year.

Will the Gazette do some interviewing with all candidates before the proposed primary? I'd like to know their postions on some things. Please if you are running- do some research about the issues. Last time the paper profiled the candidates for city council several candidates said they didn't know enough about the issue. Atleast you were honest. But with other candidates clearly stating their stance, you seem uninformed. And instead of spending money on yard signs that just say your name, use your money to pay for ads that clearly state why you feel we should vote for you, what you are going to do for our city.

I'd also like the paper to put out the interviews more in advance. For those of us who sometimes vote by absentee ballot, issuing the interviews only a few days before the election is of no use.

Is a primary a good idea?