An invitation to all Joplin R-8 Board of Education, Joplin City Council candidates

I have been giving quite a bit of thought the last few days as to how I wanted to cover the Joplin R-8 Board of Education and Joplin City Council elections.

In the past, the Joplin Globe has told us that it is not that important to think about the campaigns until it puts out its special election issue, usually two days before we vote. Even then, the information comes from candidate questionnaires and for the most part limits the candidates to answering questions the Globe thinks are important.

So, in addition to any posts I may write about newsworthy events surrounding the election, here is what I am offering to all candidates and all of those who want to write letters for or against candidates, or who want to address issues.

CANDIDATES

Introductions/Position Papers- Joplin R-8 Board of Education candidates are invited to send information about themselves, their platforms, their reasons for running- anything they want to talk about. You can send as many as you would like. I will make no changes in the copy. If you want to send individual position papers on numerous topics, feel free to do so. I have a readership that is interested in these elections and the more information they have, the better they will be able to make their decisions when they enter voting booth.

Town Hall with Turner Report/Inside Joplin Readers- Candidates can arrange a one or two-hour session on an evening of their choice to have a conversation with the readers, via a post on one of the blogs. The candidates can introduce themselves, take questions, and find out what their constituents or future constituents think are the major issues. The town halls would be advertised in advance on my blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

Advertising Available- I have three prominent advertising spots on both the Turner Report and Inside Joplin that are available to any candidates. You are far more likely to reach interested voters (and at a much, much more reasonable price) than you would reach with an advertisement in the Joplin Globe. You can use the ads to lead readers directly to your website or to provide them with added information or just keep your name in the readers' minds.

CONSTITUENTS

Readers are encouraged to join in the conversations about the candidates and the issues.