THE FIRNOST HERALD

Thursday, June 15, 2000 Vol. 1 No. 1

ELECTION FEVER SWEEPS FIRNOST
by
Abigail Teller (CP), Lead Editor
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The citizens of Firnost have been flocking to the polls to cast their votes for their respective Kith Representative candidates. In the last day before the polls close, several Representatives and voters voiced their feelings regarding Firnost's fledgling governing body.

"Anyone who volunteers for the rep job is either a masochist or an idiot..." says one voter, but was quick to point out that many do try to make the place better. The problem, says he and other voters, is that "There's always going to be someone who wants to [complain], and if nothing presents itself then they'll dig."

The same opinion seems to hold true with many of the incumbent Representatives, though a solution doesn't seem to be presenting itself easily. However, all of the Representatives available for comment seem to agree that the current parliamentary system is better than the previous Freeholder system.

"It's still new, really, so it's got [issues] to work out. People think it's a power thing, not a... responsibility." says Janet Cogsbury, the incumbent Nocker Representative. "A Rep's first duty is to the Freehold, and then to the Kith... we don't need more reps - we need reps that realize what... they're doing."

Brianna McTaggart, the incumbent Satyr Representative agrees, despite the criticism she received from her Kith regarding issues during her term. The key to fixing it, says McTaggart, is to "Find reps who care more about their people rather than getting elected."

Other Representatives seem to think the problems with the current system lie in the apathy of its citizens. Says William Bayler, the incumbent Sidhe Representative, "Firnost is a good idea that can work, if people get up off their butts... We need some order and a greater sense of personal and overall responsibility and accountability from the residents."

Some have given up hope that the Parliament can recover from the alternately turbulent and quiet last term, and leave the future of the governing body up to Da'an. "We need a number of people voted in that actually care and want to make a difference. It's not likely to happen, I'm afraid, but it's what needs to happen before we see real progress," says Summer, the incumbent Boggan Representative. "It'll be pure luck if a parliament gets elected that you can actually work with."

The pressing issues that Parliament faced last term were controversies regarding the Kith Protectorate system and the debates regarding its necessity, alterations for the Prodigal sponsorship policy, granting the Piskies a seat on the Parliament, and proposed changes to the "blanket banishment" policy for those who break Freehold Law. According to the reports of the Representatives, none of these issues were resolved over the course of the term, and the debate will likely continue into the upcoming term.

The polls close tonight, and as people cast their votes for Representative, the incumbents had this advice for their successors:

Brianna McTaggart (Satyr): "Keep an open mind. Just don't get biased and prejudiced."

Janet Cogsbury (Nocker): "Don't be... idiots."

Summer (Boggan): "Expect a lot of frustration."

Election results will be announced tomorrow by Chieftan Brekke, Regent of Rivervale Lodge. Chieftan Brekke was unavailable for comment.