From the editor -- a blog from the community, hosted by the Idaho Press-Tribune

Nampa, Caldwell mayoral candidates take advantage of Web, social media to drive campaigns

Sunday, October 4, 2009 - 4:11 pm

A complete list of Nampa, Caldwell candidates and Web links

In the day when social networking is central to marketing a company or business, I spent two hours on the Internet, looking for Nampa and Caldwell mayoral candidates.

I found campaign pages for Caldwell mayoral candidates (incumbent) Garret Nancolas and (newcomer) Helmut Kohler.

In Nampa, it looks like Tom Dale and Melissa Sue Robinson are the only candidates with a Web site.

Robinson and Kohler have Fan Pages on Facebook; there's a group supporting Nancolas. Robinson, Kohler and Dale have Facebook profile pages. There's a "Brad Blamires" and a "Jim Dorsey" on Facebook, but no documentation to indicate either one is from Idaho and running for mayor. In fact, both keep all their information private.

On the Twitter front I found Vote Nancolas (three tweets) and Robinson (10 tweets) as melisrob1.

Robinson has two You Tube videos and offers up lots of ideas to move Nampa forward.

Full disclosure, I'm "supporting" candidate fan pages so I can keep up with their latest news. But that doesn't mean I'm officially supporting anyone. That's the term on Facebook. I'm also "friends" with a few of the other city candidates, but again, Facebook has changed the meaning of "friends" so don't read anything into that. Check out my column on Facebook friends. I'll friend any candidate.

If the elections were based solely on Internet activity, Melissa Sue Robinson wins. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

If you know of other local city candidates who have a Web site presence, please let me know.

Comments:

“Vickie - the FaceBook page for Mayor Nancolas is CitizensForMayorNancols

Mike Pollard - 6:49 PM, Tuesday October 6, 2009

“You should go to www.caldwellfirefighters1821.com

Will - 8:12 PM, Sunday October 4, 2009

“Will, city employees are not allowed to campaign for or against any canidate for city office, so the firefighters are out of line endorsing any canidate on their union website. Public safety and politics do not mix and the end result will not be in the best interest of citizens of this city.

walworld - 6:37 PM, Friday October 9, 2009

“Hey Wal, What planet are you from? Unions have been endorsing candidates for political office since the first days of collective bargaining. Oh, wait a minute, you must be one of the people who think RIGHT TO WORK laws in Idaho benefit working people.

Paul - 5:32 PM, Friday October 16, 2009

“Wally Hammons, the City does not allow campaigning for any candidates while on-duty or working. We are all,however, able to exercise our freedoms and rights while off-duty, and that is just what the IAFF Local #1821 Firefighters are doing. Other City Employees are doing the exact same thing on their off time. It is amazing that the City felt that the Chamber was wrong for encouraging members to shop from members, but on the other hand try to ostracize the firefighters from having different views on the ellection. Instead of first throwing around false statements, maybe people, including department supervisors, should ask questions and learn the truth of the matters. Marc Maiello, IAFF Local #1821 President

1821pres - 4:33 PM, Sunday October 11, 2009

“Thank you Mellisa!

Will - 3:42 PM, Sunday October 11, 2009

“The Firefighters Union is a seperate entity from the city and they can endorce candidates.

Melissa Sue Robinson - 10:02 PM, Saturday October 10, 2009

“Vincent Sanchez, candidate for Caldwell City Council, has a website, facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube presence. Check out www.citizensforsanchez.com.

Vincent Sanchez Campaign - 4:56 PM, Tuesday October 6, 2009

Idaho Press-Tribune

Managing Editor Vickie Holbrook comments on newspaper issues, explains our decision-making processes or passes on insight, background or insider information that doesn't make it into print.
Even more importantly, it gives you, our readers and Web visitors, a chance to ask questions and offer feedback in an open forum.
Vickie has worked at the Idaho Press-Tribune for 30 years, starting as a reporter. She was named editor in 1996.

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