Winkler For West Fork

08/01/2022

We need citizens to run for public office in West Fork. Four seats on the city council are up for election. Win or loose, be part of the solution to the town's problems.

These so-called “impossible” candidates put pressure on establishment candidates to address issues they likely wouldn’t otherwise.

07/30/2022

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07/05/2022

A Democrat for Mayor of West Fork

Candidates for public office at all levels of government are identified on the ballot with their political party affiliation except for local elections. For some reason I don’t fully understand, a person’s political philosophy is considered unimportant for mayors and council members. I disagree with that. Identifying with a political party is a public declaration of a person’s perspective on the role of government in our lives. By announcing one’s political affiliation for local office the candidate is providing the voter with a clue as to what to expect in the way of decision making, policy development and governing style.

I am a registered Democrat. The Democratic Party has a “big tent” philosophy of modern liberalism, notions of civil liberty and social equality, supports a mixed economy, cultural diversity and an educated and will informed electorate. Democrats are opposed to Authoritarianism, Theocracy, Fascism, and ideologies that diminish the power of citizens to control their own lives.

Don’t buy a “pig in a poke.” Insist candidates for positions in our city government declare their political philosophy.

06/30/2022

West Fork Democracy Project

I am running for mayor of West Fork. My mission is to help bring Democracy to our town by installing practices, policies and procedures that promote good government, informed civic engagement, and participation in the affairs of the city by all citizens.

COMMUNICATION - A functioning democracy requires informed citizens. City administration will publish a monthly newsletter that will be available on the Web Site, by email on social media and in printed format. The newsletter content will include permits and licenses applied for and granted, department project reports with photos and various articles about city business. The city will develop the position of part time Administrative Assistant who will monitor social media, compile the newsletter, write press releases and other administrative duties designated by the mayor.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT- Arkansas state law allows cities using Council /Mayor form of government to elect council members by ward. This can be done for all members or half the members. No special referendum is needed. This will make running for council cheaper and easier than running a city-wide campaign. Council members will represent the approximately three hundred people in their ward – their neighbors.

PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY- “Committee of the Whole” format will be implemented for council meetings. This format allows members of the public to hear and be involved in discussions of a wide range of issues on the agenda. With Committee of the Whole, all members of the Council have the benefit of thorough discussion and citizen input on each agenda item.
The goal is to assist Council in making durable decisions by giving them direct insight into the needs and priorities of community members before they are required to make a binding decision at the regular council meeting. No votes are taken at Committee of the Whole.
Committee of the Whole is a place to encourage discussion of topics, but it is not where decisions are made. The committee will make recommendations that will be voted on at an upcoming Council meeting. Many governments at local, state and federal levels use this format. It is used by Elkins and Tonitown

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT – The mayor and council will establish committees to encourage citizen participation is short and long term issues that affect citizens’ wellbeing.

WINKLER
FOR
WEST FORK
VOTE NOV. 8

06/26/2022

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