Elections and the economy

Analysis:

This election story is based on a very important issue for local voters, the economy and the City budget. The reporter provides adequate space for both candidates to respond. Do the candidates actually respond to the questions put forth by the reporter? Do you as a voter think that the responses provide you with adequate information to make an informed vote? Could the reporter have pursued other angles or questioning?

One question that could have been useful here is to look at the incumbent’s record over the past 8 years as it relates to economic/budgetary issues. He has a voting record and that would be of benefit to viewers to see if he voted for what he said he stood for, but more importantly it provides viewers with a way to measure whose interests an incumbent has represented based on the voting record. There is an online record of Grand Rapids City Commission voting records at the City Clerk’s office, so there is a written record for journalists to use. This story does end with channel 8 telling viewers that there is streamed footage of interviews with the candidates. Viewers should ask themselves, why not include more of the interview in the on air story? By only having it online it limits who can have easy access to voter information.

Story:

WOOD TV 8 News reader – Grand Rapids voters head to the polls in 2 weeks to elect commissioners in two of Grand Rapids three wards. Tonight, 24-hour news 8 Joe LaFurgy takes a look at those issues and the issues that those candidates will be talking about and their first ward stand.

Reporter – It has been a tough year at Grand Rapids City Hall and it is not expected to get any better next year. Millions of dollars have been cut from the budget, over 300 positions have been cut from the payroll. Many of those positions were from public safety, the police and fire departments. Our question to the candidates, how would you fix the budget? We start with incumbent James Jendrasiak, who says he is seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

Candidate Jendrasiak – We are going to have to play it day by day and see if our economy is going to rebound and start to grow…

Reporter – As for cuts Jendrasiak says police, fire and other service level departments have already taken enough hits. He is aiming for executive and department head offices in the next round. City Manager Kurt Kimbal says department heads and mid-level management have seen their fair share of cuts. Some managers are running two departments, but Jendrasiak says he wants to take a little more off the top.

Candidate Jendrasiak – When you look at having four assistant City Managers and an assistant to the City Manager…I think we have more department heads than what we need, those are the areas we are looking at.

Reporter – Jendrasiak’s opponent is political newcomer Dave Shaffer. He too wants to see more management level cuts at City Hall.

Candidate Shaffer – You probably don’t need as much management for that service delivery as currently is there.

Reporter – Shaffer also wants to work on a problem that has hit both government and business…sky rocketing health care costs. Shaffer’s plan…

Candidate Shaffer – As those costs keep rising, um is to look at maybe instead of going forward we can look at a new plan in place or renegotiate contracts. I don’t know if…I think that is something I would like to bring to the table.

Reporter – In fact the City has already reduced those costs by $4 million, but officials say they would like to see more cuts in that area. Both candidates say they support public/private partnerships, like the one that will fund ice skating this winter at Rosa Park circle or help restore other programs like swimming at the City’s six swimming pools next summer. Both also favor use of tax incentive programs to keep and grow business, but would favor more stringent policies to hold companies to the terms of those agreements in the area of job creation and retention. Voters will decide which candidate will get to carry out his promise on November 8.

WOOD TV 8 News reader – And if you would like to learn more from the candidates we have streamed portions of their interviews on our website at woodtv.com.

Total Time: 2 minutes and 38 seconds