BCR's Daily Fishwrap Report for November 4, 2009

The verb used by the Herald-Sun was "swept;" the N&O chose "trounced." That sums up last night's election results, which as we noted here yesterday were basically over almost as soon as the polls closed, with a tiny gaggle of ex-candidates and politicos on-hand at the Courthouse for the numbers.

In the press reports, challengers and incumbents say all the things one would expect about running a good race, staying active in politics even though they didn't win, etc. Mayor Bell told NBC 17 that his focus after re-election would be on inner-city neighborhoods -- a theme the Council has worked on in recent years, and one which was perhaps the loudest argument of challengers this cycle.

There's just one place the incumbents didn't do as well: the Kids Voting results, in whose mock election Donald Hughes actually bested Cora Cole-McFadden, while Woodard and Clement would have just squeaked by their challengers.

So, challengers, take solace: the voters of the next generation are already looking ahead to you. They just have to get through those awkward tween years first.

In other news:

Boone Court Bested By Bulldozers: As WRAL first reported this week, the Boone Court apartments came tumbling down on Monday, with the deteriorated East Durham rental properties owned by the White family's Haskell Properties. Last-minute legal challenges by the landlord's attorney -- who's argued the City is steamrolling the controversial property company -- didn't stop the City from rolling over their buildings. The move came after a short delay in the process after the Whites alleged a verbal contract with a city inspector to give them one last renovation try after years of conflict with the City. (Herald-Sun)

DPS Board Mulls Search: The hunt for a new superintendent to replace Washington-bound Carl Harris will start soon and could take up to six months. The Herald-Sun looks at the kind of search firms that are likely to be involved; the school board is already signaling its interest in advice from a Florida school board member linked to the Center for Reform of School Systems. (Herald-Sun)

NC Again Top For Business: Site Selection magazine gave NC its number one ranking among US states for the fifth year in a row for having the nation's best business climate. The Triangle figures prominently there, with its major universities featured on the cover along with mention of RTP and EMC's recent choice of the Bull City for its new data center and research facility. (Herald-Sun)

Duke Sees Record Early Applicants: An all-time record number of early-decision applicants -- over 2,000 -- have applied to Duke through its early decision program; the university's admissions director credits need-blind admission and improved financial aid. (Herald-Sun)

Comments

[TH]

I was surprised to hear my elementary aged children had voted for Hughes over McFadden so I asked about the voting process. At school if they were given any information on the candidates it did not stick with them. So my 1st grader voted for everyone on the right side, because "it was just easier to check them all off on one side of the paper". (She's right handed.) My 4th grader thought Cora had a confusing sounding last name and even though he would not fully admit it I think a little sexism on his part was at play. "The guy I voted for was a 'guy' NOT a girl." (He's surrounded by woman all day at school.)

They asked me who I voted for and why. THEN they said if they had known the "why" part they would have voted for the lady with the funny. :)

[Laura F]

I don't think kids' voting programs in elementary school are worth it. They are just too young to understand or care about the issues. I recall being in second grade in 1976 and voting for Jimmy Carter over Gerald Ford because he was better looking.

[Justin B. Clark]

I'm willing to bet that had high school students been allowed to vote in this election that Donald Hughes would have eased to election. Why? Because his message resonates with youth. At public events and especially at the Kids Voting Youth Forum teenagers were drawn into the message of Hughes and his personal youthfulness. His message resonates with youth. Don't assume that all youth who voted did so with the idea of just checking the boxes on the side of the hand they use.

Furthermore, the Kids Voting program doesn't exist just to get youth to make the most informed decision in their second grade year. While the program does produce the voter guides and does provide children and youth with information about the candidates the biggest reason that the program exists is to show to youth the importance of voting and to instill that value in them at an early age so that when they reach legal voting age they will already have the idea and importance of voting instilled in them.

Comments like "they're to young to care" and things like that are the precise reason that young people today are apathetic about the political process and do not participate in the process when they finally do reach legal age...because they've been told for so long that their voice, their opinion doesn't matter. If only there was a program that could counter that mentality...

Oh. wait.

[Justin B. Clark]

(It should be noted that I am not employed by KidsVoting Durham, nor do my opinions speak for the executive director or the advisory board)